A university don, Prof M. D. Yakasse of the Bayero University Kano (BUK), said on Thursday that Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu’s drive for sports development in Nigeria is excellent.
Speaking on the sidelines of the trials organised by the Federation of international Sports Union (FISU) for athletes in preparation for the World University Games coming up in China between July and August this year, Prof. Yakasse appreciated the government for giving them the permission to use the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium facilities.
The university lecturer said if other states of the federation replicate the kind of high standard facilities at the remodelled stadium in Benin in their respective states, it would fast-track the development of sports in the country.
“Travelling to World University Games to compete requires world-class facilities to train and that is exactly what is on ground here at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium,” Prof. Yakasse said.
“The track, swimming pool and the judo Hall with the mat are all of world standard.
“We are happy with the kind of facilities found at the stadium and the maintenance culture is fantastic, we thank the state government for granting us the permission to use the facilities,” he said.
Speaking on the level of success of the trials, the University Don, who is also the chairman of the sub committee for the FISU trials stated that Nigeria is participating in seven games at the main event in China, and those games according to him are track and field event, judo, table tennis, badminton and taekwondo.
On the performance of the athletes throughout the trials, Prof. Yakasse revealed that most of the athletes invited for the trials performed to the recommended standard for athletes representing the country at the China contest, adding that good number of them are medal holders either at the two National Sports Festival held in Edo and Delta in the last two years or at the African Athletic Championship level.
