CHAPTER NINE

SPORTS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Youth and Sport Development have witnessed a tremendous boost under the administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

The administration has supported the Federal Government initiated National Youth Service Corps Programme by building two hostels at their permanent camp in Asaya, providing corp members with facilities during camp periods, payment of the sum of N3,000.00, to each corp member serving within the State Government or any of its Agency or Parastatals and engaging corp members that excel in the service year.  The Governor also donated several units of double bunk beds to the corp members for their use in camp.

In the area of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has turned the sector around by paying attention to the need of our sports men and women and upgrading the existing facilities.

He has provided funds for a generator and the purchase of equipment for the Lokongoma Sports Complex.  A 30 seater air-conditioned coaster bus was provided the Kogi United Football team to facilitate their movements to other States of the Federation for their competitions.  The State Government commissioned consultants to design a State of the art stadium for the State.  In he meantime, the Government intends to renovate the present Lokoja Stadium and update its facilities to meet the immediate need of our Sportsmen and women.

The Female football team, the ‘Confluence Queens’ has received a boost by the provision of kits for the players, and payment of all the outstanding allowances, salaries and bonuses due to them.  The other areas of sports that have received attention of Government are table tennis, lawn tennis and badminton.  His Excellency has at various times sponsored National Championships in these events.

The State Government sponsored contingents of sportsmen and women to the recently concluded National Sports Festival Christened Gateway Games where they won 1 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals.  Kogi State came second among the 19 States of the North that competed.

The Government of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is ever determined to improve the sporting facilities in the State and encourage our sports men and women to excel in future competitions.