By Sule Aliyu, Bauçhi
Krestnews in Bauchi reports that no fewer than one hundred coaches, referees and sports organising secretaries are to undergo a three days refresher training course is being put together by the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development across 20 LGA of Bauchi state.
The Ministry in collaboration with Bauchi State Sports Council is prepared to revive the Bauchi State Sports Festival, which begun with Refresher course and stakeholders meeting held between 23rd — 25th June 2024.
The Secretary to the State Government Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, who served as Chairman of the occasion commended the organizers of the Refresher course for their initiative.
The SSG gave the commendation when he declared open the 3 day Refresher course for sports officials from the 20 local government across the state held at Multipurpose Indoor Sports hall Bauchi on Sunday, 23.
The Secretary to the State Government who was represented at the event by the Special Adviser to the state governor on Special Duties Alhaji Hashimu Yakubu Kumbala, said the need for Bauchi state to excel in sports can not be overemphasized.
“Therefore the need to have well trained sports Men and Women in various fields who will make the state proud in sporting competitions became necessary”
According to him, “this refresher course is very important in view of the need for coaches and other sports stakeholders to be kept abreast of strategies and tactics in the field of sports so as to impact the much needed skills in sportsmen and Women for them to effectively and efficiently perform in their chosen fields of sports”
Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, said the government of Senator Bala Muhammad is committed to the development of Sports in the state, “to this end, the state government has been given the necessary financial and moral support to the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to make the state excel in various sporting events”
He assured that Government would continue to provide befiting sporting infrastructures to ensure conducive environment for sporting events.
He called on stakeholders in sports to work hard to restore the glory of Bauchi state as the home of Sports in the country.
The SSG used this opportunity to challenge the State sports Council to ensure that the state owned football team, Wikki Tourists regains it’s rightful position in the professional football league.
The State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development Muhammad Salis Gamawa, who was also the Special Guest, said “Today’s gathering marks the beginning of an exciting journey as we revive a significant tradition that has been dormant for over four decades. Your presence here is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing sports in our beloved Bauchi State”
Muhammad Salis, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Alhaji Usman Yakubu, said the organization of this refresher course and technical season is not a mere formality, but fundamental in the context of modern sports continuous education and skills enhancement essential for ensuring coaches, Referees, and sports officers to get equipped with the latest Methodologies, Strategies and Technical knowledge.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the refresher course is aimed at enhancing technical proficiency, promote unified standard s and establish consistent standards and encourage exchange of ideas and foster sprit of collaboration among stakeholders for success of the festival.
According to the Commissioner, the rivival of the Bauchi State Sports Festival is a monumental achievement as the state look forward to a festival that will not only rekindle the spirit of sportsmanship but also serve as a platform for discovering new talents and promoting unity and friendship across the State.
The commissioner called on participants to engage actively, share insights and absorb the valuable knowledge that be impacted for success of the upcoming festival.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training, the Director of Sports, coach Usman Yusuf said the refresher course is aimed at teaching modern techniques and equipping them with necessary skills to perform excellently at their respective fields ahead of the National Sports Festival in the country.
He added that the festival would equally make the state to source for new young talented players that would partake in different games during the National Sports Festival coming this year 2024.
He listed some of the sports catrgories which include; Football, Volley ball, basket ball, hand ball, athelectics , Para, Deep, Archery, Wrestling, Langa, Judo, Boxing and Table Tennis in both male and female category respectively.
He explained that the early preparations would definitely going to improve both the coaches and athletes to prepare fully ahead of the tasks with a view to have a better results to bring back the lost glory of the State in sports.
The Sports Director, said every Local Government Area council would participate in the festival for all the categories of games both local and international for sports men and women from 15 to 23 years to showcase their talents.
He applauded Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad for his support to the development of sports activities in the state. Saying “under the governor’s one year tenure in office, the ministry had gotten twenty two approval for different tournaments, won six gold medals as well as securing approval for the 2024 state sports festival.
Other highlights of the event was paper presentations from various coaches, sports veterans as well as questions and answers sessions.
Some of the participants interviewed, Yakubu Babayo hockey coach and Danladi Haske former handball coach thanked the organisers, said the refresher course was timely and would improve the capacity of both coaches and players to perform excellently at the National Sports Festival