By Ado Salisu
Kano State athletes coaches and officials to the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged: ‘Gateway Games,’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State have been urged to be good ambassadors to the state.
The state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the state Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, made the call while addressing the state contingent before their departure to Ogun State.
He explained that nothing could be achieved without patience and endurance as well as sportsmanship in any tournament, urging to them to do their best.
The governor added that the present administration would continue to encourage and support them in order to sustain the state high profile as far as sports was concerned in the state and the country in general.
He warned the athletes and coaches to avoid anything capable of denting the image of the state before, during and after the festival.
Earlier, the acting chairman of Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge FIFA, expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf and the state Commissioner for Sports, Alhaji Kwankwaso for their moral and financial support.
He pledged that the commission would do everything possible to ensure the state excels in the fiesta.
Alhaji FIFA said that all necessary measures have been put in place towards the success of the state at the national festival.
Responded on behalf the contingent, Solomon Yola, thanked the governor and the commissioner for their unflinching support, assuring that the athletes would do their best in the fiesta.
Over 200 contingents, comprising athletes and coaches as well as officials are to depart Kano to Abeokuta ahead of the festival.
The players are to compete in 17 events in volleyball, football, handball, judo, athletic, boxing, cycling, karate, kungfu, swimming and taekwondo among others.
