Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, says his administration will continue to give priority attention to sports and youth development in order to promote enterprise and entrepreneurial growth among the youths in the Statem
Fubara said this at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Saturday while giving trophies to the winners of the First Rivers State International Marathon held in the state as part of activities to mark his one year anniversary in office.
The governor, who expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event, said the early stage of planning of the marathon was marked by some challenges, but was encouraged and convinced by the organisers that the event would open doors to economic development in the state.
Fubara, while congratulating the athletes for their performances in the event, assured them that next year’s edition of the marathon would be more successful.
He commended the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barr Christopher Green for his bold initiatives and the successes recorded in the sport sector.
“For us as a government, we know the importance of sports, it goes with Youths development. We will not go back on youth development.
”From what the Commissioner for Sports said, it shows that we are doing right in sports development, ” he said.
In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Sports, Mr Christopher Green commended the Governor for his investment in the sports sector which he said has elevated the state to greater heights in sports development, with outstanding performances in sports competitions in Nigeria and across the African continent.
Meanwhile, Gyang Boyi Nyango, from Plateau State emerged the overall winner of the marathon with a cash prize of $10,000, while Pennina Arusei, from Kenya emerged winner in the female category, with a cash prize of $10,000.
The winners who were decorated with gold medal also received cash prize of N5 million, while the second to the 20th positions received consolation prizes of N1 million each.
Earlier, Governor Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara had emerged winner and second runner up in a thirty-meter race respectively and decorated with gold medals by Nigeria’s ex international and Elder statesman, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
