YSFON Secretary Seeks Support For Youth Competition

The pioneer Secretary of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Rivers State Chapter, Collins Kemka Wejinya has called  on the state government and corporate bodies to come to the aid  of the organisation to enable them achieve set objectives.

He also commended participants of this year’s youth football competition going on at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Wejinya  in an interview said that the programme covered all youth clubs in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State from under 12-Under 18 categories.

“This programme covers all youths football clubs of Under 12- Under 18 categories within the 23 local government areas in Rivers State,” Wejinya said.

He lauded the gesture of the donor, Chief Sampson Ovua, JP, for alleviating the constraints experienced in the past competitions, especially when we were in the old Rivers State.

“In the past we used to have some constraints but now those have been crushed. Chief Sampson Ovua JP, graciously donated six trophies and other gift items for the participants such as, cash award to respective winners in each category, medals, soccer diploma certificates and T-shirts.

“This is the first time an individual is sponsoring such a competition of this magnitude since our separation from our sister state (Bayelsa),” Collins told Tidesports.

On the side of assistance from the Rivers State Government, Wejinya said he was appreciative over the release of Sharks Stadium for the competition by the state government. He however, appealed to both thestate and local governments through the Commissioner for Sports, Hon Fred Igwe, for financial support in subsequent competitions in the state.

“The appeal is this, we have two clubs in the premier division (Sharks and Dolphins), 80 per cent of the players came under the tutelage of Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON). For example, players like Imama Amapakabo, Odinga Odinga and others were all graduates of YSFON. Sooner or later some of these players of Rivers State origin will be ageing out, it is the state YSFON that will be the breeding ground for the replacement of any worn-out players of Sharks and Dolphins Football clubs,” Collins said.

He also re-affirmed that in order to keep the youths off the street, government in all levels should endeavour to assist the appropriate body that is charged with the responsibility of developing sports for the youths in the state.

Gold Monday