The Bayelsa Government
has expressed confidence that the state would one day host the National Sports Festival (NSF) considering the facilities it was putting in place.
The Director of Sports, Isaac Mark-Tubo, told newsmen in Yenagoa that the government was determined to provide facilities in all its stadia.
Mark-Tubo said the State Sports Council had established offices in about five local governments of the state to enhance sports development.
He added that the council had also ensured that it reached out to the various local government councils.
He said the ongoing construction work by the government at the Asuama Community Sports Academy was a step in the right direction.
“The swimming pool is still under construction and the same goes for facilities for other sports; all these are geared toward the day we can host the NSF or any national event in Bayelsa.
“I know equipment is one of the criteria for hosting but we have not got them now.
“I believe that in no distant time we will be in a position to host such major events,” Mark-Tubo said.
On the state’s performance in national competitions, the director said it had never lagged behind.
“We have been doing well in national and international events. Our athletes won the best female wrestler in 2013 Commonwealth Wrestling Competition.
“Beyelsa did well in the 5th Chief of Naval Staff Swimming competition in Oghara, Delta in 2013.
“We clinched the second position, while Delta took first; we won a total of 7 gold and 3 bronze medals,” he said.
Mark-Turbo said that inadequate funding was the bane of sports development, adding that the state’s sports officials had been progressing with the available finance.