Mr. Kola Oredipe, Director,New Media to Bayelsa Governor on Tuesday presented training kits to Bayelsa athletics team to the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Edo State.
Oredipe, a former athlete and journalist said the donation was part of efforts to compliment government efforts in sports development as well as boost the morale of athletes to win laurels.
Items donated include spike shoes, running vest and other training kits.
He presented the kits to the coach and athletes at the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Oredipe said the gesture was his own way to support and encourage the young athletes to return home with medals from the festival.
The Governor’s Media aide who recalled his days on the tartan tracks as an athlete, encouraged young talents to put in their best to make the State proud at the tournament.
“I was just like you from my secondary school days and all through my University days.
“I was a quarter miler and represented my University in two NUGA games in Bayero University, Kano in 1997 and University of Lagos in 1998.
“This is my own way of giving back and encouraging young talents to excel in sports”, Oredipe said.
He commended Governor Douye Diri, who was a one time Commissioner for Sports and Youth, for his investment in the sports sector and charged the athletes to reciprocate the gesture by bringing laurels to the state.
Receiving the kits, the Head coach of the athletics department in Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mr. Maurice Terimoh, thanked the donor for the kind gesture and assured that the kits would be used judiciously.
Terimoh further said that, as a champion that Oredipe is, the athletics team will use the kits and produce more champions, and prayed God to replenish his resources.
