Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said his administration was already committed to youth development by expanding the space and exposing them to a variety of sporting activities to groom potential talents for excellence and attainment of their aspirations.
Governor Fubara made the remark at the closing ceremony and presentation of prizes and medals to the winners of Rivers International Marathon 2024, with the theme: ‘Power On, Conquer the Distance’, which took place at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia in Port Harcourt last Saturday.
The Governor expressed delight that the event, first of its kind in the state, has been successfully hosted despite the fact that it was initially difficult to reconcile the position of the organisers and the sponsors on its importance, objectives and how to make it glamorous.
He said: “When we started the planning, we had a lot of issues, but some how along the way we finally agreed and resolved all the bottlenecks, challenges, more especially, finances to host this event.
“But, I can say, on our part as a government and also as host of an event that has never taken place in Rivers State before, we were a bit afar on our part from the organizers.”
Governor Fubara further said: “This is because all they were saying was like, if I could liken it to anything, the cost could even help me renovate a school.
“So, I asked, why should I spend such money for just marathon? But they convinced us that this event will open the doors economically to the world and for Rivers State.
“And for that reason, we gave them all the support that was needed for it to be a success. And I can say to the glory of God that I am happy that we are here today witnessing it live and direct.”
The Governor assured that there will likely be a second edition, adding that it will be better than the first because the mistakes will be corrected in order to achieve the desired expectation.
The Governor said such winning, on the side of women teams and on the side of the male teams clearly showed that so much has been done right to place the sports sector on a good footing in the state.
“So, I want to commend the Commissioner, continue to do what you know how to do best. We didn’t bring you here for nothing, we know that you are a man that has made his name in the sports industry, continue to make us proud,” the governor said.
He decorated the winners with their medals and presented them with their prizes while also announcing N5 million apiece to each of the first place winners as support from the state government.
In the 45km Elite Race, Gyang Boyi Nyango of Plateau State emerged overall best (male) with 2 hours, 28 minutes, 29 seconds to clinch the Gold Medal with the accompanying prize of $10 million plus the N5 million support from the Rivers State government.
Peninah Arusei from Kenya finished tops as the female in the 45km Elite Race with total time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 23 seconds to clinch the Gold Medal and win the prize money of $10 million and also getting the N5 million support from the state government.
While Iliya Pam Nwanta from Plateau State was the first runner-up, winning silver medal; Isti Fanus Peter Maham from Plateau State got the Bronze Medal.
Governor Fubara announced a complimentary monetary award of N1 million to the athletes in the first 20 places behind the gold medal winners as encouragement to them, saying that it will motivate others to consider joining in the competition in the future.
In the 30 meters race, Governor Fubara emerged winner and had his medal presented to him by Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka.
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, won the second place in the 30 meters race and had her medal presented to her by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
In his remark, the commissioner for sports, Barrister Christopher Green, said it is now well known that the state has become the hub of sports in Nigeria.
This feat, he stated, is attributed to the immeasurable support Governor Fubara has given to sports development in the state, saying, “Only yesterday in far away Kigali, for the first time in the history of the Basketball African League, Nigeria ended on the podium. They came back home with a Bronze Medal.
“It has never happened before, and if we have to follow history, we will find out that in the entire country, no club has won one match.
“But these guys that you sweated, sponsored, encouraged and motivated went to far away Kigali to not only win the Bronze Medal, but also their coach was declared as the best coach of the tournament.”
Barrister Green also said that Rivers United Under-17 Team won gold medal in the maiden National Under 17 Football League tournament in Benin; Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club won the Premiership Basketball Tournament here in Nigeria, all within less than one year of Governor Fubara in office.
“Your Excellency, all these did not happen because of their might, but because of what you have done. You have not only encouraged us financially, spiritually, and physically, but you have followed every activity of the sporting family in this State.
“The Rivers Queens won the Handball in Nigeria, same in one year. Same goes to our Table Tennis Team that was declared the best in this country, having won the Gold Medal at the just-concluded National Table Tennis Championship.
“As if that is not enough, Sir your own daughter, Queen Dan Jumbo was declared the best Female Cheese player in this country, all by your own support and motivation.
“As if that is not enough, our Beach Volleyball Team won the Gold Medal in Male; Silver Medal in Male in the just concluded Beach Volleyball that took place in Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State”, he said.
