Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has explained that, in sponsoring the Rivers International Marathon 2024, lots of challenges were overcome to ensure it was successfully hosted to open up the economy of the state to global investment opportunities.
Fubara also said that 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.
He stated this at the closing ceremony and presentation of prizes and medals to the winners of Rivers International Marathon 2024, themed ‘Power On, Conquer the Distance’, which took place at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi on Saturday, Fubara expressed delight that the event, the first of its kind was successfully hosted by the state, even though 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 somehow 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 far on our part from the organisers. This is because all they were saying was that 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 a marathon? But they convinced us that this event would 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 to achieve the desired expectation.
Congratulating the winners of the competition, he assured that his administration will sustain support for all youths who want to explore their sporting talents in the state and help them to blossom.
He said, “Let me also say that, we might not have gotten it very, very right in this first one because it is the first.
“I strongly believe that when we are going to host the second one, most of our mistakes, most of the areas that we did not consider, we will consider them and make the second event a more glamorous one that will be better than this.
“For us as a government, we know the importance of sports. We know that sports and youth development go together. For that reason, we are not going to joke about the aspect of youth development. We are not going to joke in the aspect of sports development.”
He also commended the Commissioner of Sports, Christopher Green, for his leadership in the ministry that had led to winning lots of trophies for the state.
He said such winning, on the side of women’s teams and 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 who has made his name in the sports industry, continue to make us proud.”
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.
Fubara announced a complimentary monetary award of N1 million to the athletes in the first 20 places behind the gold medal winners as an encouragement to them, saying that it will motivate others to consider joining the competition in the future.
In the 30-meter race, Fubara emerged as the winner and had his medal presented to him by the Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka.
The wife of the governor, Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, won second place in the 30-meter race and had her medal presented to her by the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu.
In his remark, the State Commissioner for Sports, 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 Fubara has given to sports development in the state.
He said, “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 their coach was declared as the best coach of the tournament.”
“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.”
He added, “The Rivers Queens won the Handball in Nigeria, same in one year. The same goes for our Table Tennis Team which 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 and Silver Medal in Male in the just concluded Beach Volleyball that took place in Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State”, he said.
