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By: Daniels Igoni, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Sports Council has applauded the SamKay Athletics Academy, Yenagoa, for partnering the council towards the improvement of athletics and sports development in the state.
The council’s Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi, gave the commendation when the SamKay Athletics Academy presented 70 hurdles and seven starting blocks to the Bayelsa State Athletics Team at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.
He said the academy’s donation of the facilities signified a response to the government’s call for support by well-meaning individuals and organisations, as it could not shoulder the burden alone.
Wodi, who led other sports council officials to receive the items, said, “We thank you for this presentation. We are truly happy that you have heeded the clarion call of government that it cannot do it alone, so we need private individuals and organisations to support government in the development of sports.
“This is exactly what SamKay Athletics Academy is doing. We want to thank you because barely three weeks ago, SamKay Athletics Academy assembled youngsters from selected schools in Yenagoa and we had an athletics meet here (in the stadium). And I dare say we did discover some burden talents.”
Earlier while presenting the sports facilities, the Founder of SamKay Athletics Academy, Kola Oredipe, said the donation was a way of giving back to the society and encouraged talented athletes to grow to become champions.
Oredipe, who is also the vice chairman of the state athletics association, said, “I have been around them, training with them and supporting them. I felt the urgent need to support them with facilities because I have seen the potential in a lot of the athletes that I have come across at very young age. And I felt that if we give them the opportunity they will excel; they will get motivated to, of course, break out and be national champions.”
Highpoint of the presentation ceremony was an exhibition performed by some young athletes, using the newly-donated facilities.
