Ado Salisu
Kano state athletes coaches and officials to the 22nd edition of the national sports festival tagged: ” Gateway Games,” in Abeokuta, Ogun state have been urged to be good ambassadors.
The state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represented by the commissioner of youth and sports, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso made the call while addressing the state contingent before their departure to Ogun state.
He explained that nothing could be achieved without patience and endurance as well as sportsmanship in any tournaments, urging to them to do their best.
The governor added that the present administration will continue to encourage and support in order to sustain the state high profile as far as sports was concerned in the state and the country in general.
He warned the athletes and coaches to avoid anything capable of denting the image of the state before, during and after the festival.
Earlier, the acting chairman of Kano state sports commission, Ibrahim Umar Fagge FIFA expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the state commissioner, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso for their moral and financial support.
Pledging that the commission will do everything possible to ensure the state excel in the fiesta.
Ibrahim Umar Fagge FIFA, however, said that all necessary measures have been put in place towards the success of the state at the national festival.
Responding on behalf the contingent, Solomon Yola thanked the governor and the state commissioner for their unflinching support, assuring that the athletes would do their best in the fiesta.
Over 200 contingent comprises athletes and coaches as well as officials are to depart to Kano to Abeokuta ahead of the festival.
Kano athletes are to compete in 17 events including volleyball, football, handball, judo, athletic, boxing, cycling, karate, kungfu, swimming, taekwondo among others.