Igoche hails Gov Sule on Nasarawa sports development drive

The initiator, Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mark Igoche, has praised the Nasarawa State government’s efforts in promoting sports and expanding the state’s sports ecosystem.

Igoche made the remarks while he visited the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Kwanta Bohar and lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for leveraging sports as a tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social unity.

He said, “I commend the Governor for actively advancing sports as a tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social unity. This policy is managed by you through conscious and deliberate investment, which has started yielding results.”

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He cited the success of Nasarawa United, currently among the top three clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

“I know the government is investing heavily in infrastructure, including the upgrade of the Lafia City Stadium, which I personally visited. Also, the sports programme geared towards talent discovery through initiatives like the annual Governor’s Cup and participation in the National Sports Festival is what other states should emulate,” Igoche added.

Reacting, the Commissioner stated that the governor’s mandate is to harness sports to reduce unemployment and promote peace among young people.

“My Ministry, working under the mandate of Mr Governor, is to use sports as a means of reducing unemployment and fostering peace among the youth. The state runs the annual Governor’s Cup football tournament across its 13 local government areas to discover grassroots talent. Aside from football, we host and support other sports competitions across the state,” Bohar said.