It’s a new dawn for sports in Bauchi-Gamawa

Bauchi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Salisu Gamawa, has revealed that the state government is ready to support sports development, adding that it is a new dawn for sports in the state.

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Hon Gamawa made this statement during the Langa (traditional sport) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on Monday.

Gamawa said the ministry, in collaboration with the 20 local government areas, is ready to ensure that new talents are discovered in rural settlements.

He added that the State Sports Festival will help curb youth unrest and social vices in the state.

Gamawa said: “I thank God for making it possible for the people of Bauchi State to witness the first ever State Sports Festival since the third republic; for 41 years we have not had the opportunity to do so until now. Governor Bala Mohammed in his wisdom approved the festival as a way of engaging the youths in the 20 local government areas and curbing social vices.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has discovered some talents during the Festival. You will be interested to know that an athlete from one of the Local Government Areas has defeated a reigning African champion, proving that the state can have many potential champions from the grassroots.”

He revealed that most of the festival’s participants were not born when the first edition was held in 1983.

The sports administrator said that “90% of the participating athletes have never attended the State Sports Festival because most of them have not been born. We believe that in the next edition (2025) people will be eager to participate in the Festival.”

“I want to assure you that Bauchi State will take a giant leap forward at the forthcoming National Youth Games in September and the evidence is currently in the ongoing State Sports Festival,” he concluded.

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