GOV.DICKSON URGES YOUTHS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES

GOV DICKSON URGES YOUTHS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES
 Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has called on youths in the state to channel their energies to sporting activities and eschew negative tendencies associated with cultism and hard drugs.
 Governor Dickson made call while speaking shortly after participating in the third edition of the State Monthly Jogging exercise at the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa.
 To this end, the Ministry of Sports has been directed to set up sports development committees in all the Local Government Areas to scout for budding talents who will be groomed to stardom. 
According to Hon. Dickson, the major focus will be in sporting events where the State has comparative advantage such as swimming, football, wrestling and other combat sports to enable them win laurels for the state and country in future.
As part of measuresto harness the sporting potentials of the young ones towards making positive contributions in sports, the Governor also announced the appointment of Mr.Friday Bayelayefa as Senior Special Assistant on Sports Development.
 He stated that contracts have been awarded for the Sports Academy which would be completed soon and would commence the selection of youths who will make a career out of sports adding that contract has also been awarded for the maintenance of sporting facilities at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Commenting on the jogging exercise, the Governor urged all to take advantage of the exercise,noting that the event was not meant for public officers alone and should be a daily activity for the citizenry to maintain healthy lifestyles.
In an address, the Commissioner for Sports, Chief Mitema Obodor, said, the jogging exercise was geared towards keeping the people fit for the task of developing the state.
 Enumerating the benefits derivable from physical exercise, Chief Obodor urged the people toengage in regular exercise as it increases moral and productive workforce.
 The jogging exercise also featured demonstration performances in Kung fu and football joggling.
Physically challenged persons also took time out to participate in the exercise which started at about 7 O'clock in the morning.
DanielIworiso-Markson
Chief PressSecretary
to the Governorof Bayelsa State.