Coach Urges Kogi To Invest More In Sports

An Assistant Chief
Coach, Kogi Sports Council, Sefiya Onubaye,  has urged the Kogi Government to increase its investment in sports to raise the state’s performance in national competitions.
Onubaye made the disclosure to newsmen while commenting on the poor performance of the state at the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos in 2012.
The coach said the state had only one gold medal at the last festival against seven targeted by the sports council.
Onubaye told newsmen on telephone that the state had to bankroll the promotion of sports to have a good outing at the forthcoming 19th festival in Calabar in November.
“Our state needs to earmark more resources for sports development so as to transform our record in competitions.
“I want to urge the state government to increase its interest in sports to help reposition the sector in the state and its environs,’’ she said.
According to her, the state did not only need funds but also needed regular competitions to discover, nurture and build athletes capable of representing the state in competitions and winning medals.
The official said that the state sports sector needed a facelift in the form of sporting facilities such as standard table tennis board, weights, handball courts and other incentives.
Onubaye, who is also the Secretary, Nigeria Weightlifting Coaches Association, said the state could go far in sports if well sponsored and financed.
She said the sports council would do everything within its means to do the state proud at the forthcoming festival in Calabar.
“We will strive to position the state at the top of the charts at the next festival. We will do all in our power to improve on our records,’’ she said.
The biennial 19th National Sports Festival is billed for November 27 to December 3 in Calabar.