Plateau state government has said its willing to partner with any
organization in order to promote sporting activities in the state. The Commissioner of sports and Youth development Hon Victor Lapang made
this known at the weekend during a NASCO cycling awareness campaign
held in Jos at the weekend.
Our correspondent reports that the event which was sponsored by
Nasco group of companies featured all cycling enthusiasts within Jos
and its environs .
Lapang said “The Lalong led administration is determined to partner with any coy to develop sports in the state.$
He urged organizations and states to complement Government ’s efforts
in the promotion of peace and inter – communal harmony among citizens through sports . The state governor is determined to promote sports in the state. “Lalong is on a rescue mission to rescue sports in Plateau, “on assumption of office, the support given by the Rescue Administration raised significantly the state performance in sports and youth development from its dismal status. “ The results of this are the participations of Plateau Athletes in virtually all the sporting events in and outside the country. These participations won Plateau several medals in various sports. Similarly Plateau United Football Club gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Premier League in 2015, and is today performing excellently well . He said before now most football clubs in Plateau were performing poorly ,until the Lalong administration came on board and rescued the situation by encouraging the team and restructuring sports in Plateau, the Simon Lalong led administration has promised to provide the moral and financial support to Plateau United Lapang “ also said “Lalong has also done well in promoting Golf in the state ,You could recall that recently golfers from several countries recently visited Plateau for a golfing tournament and this promoted business in Plateau ,Lalong is also determined to rebuild the abandoned Jos Zaria road stadium,also recently Plateau held a Marathon games which attracted so many people to Plateau ,also the state government also hosted the Federal civil service games in Jos last year
Gov Lalong is passionate about promoting sports because it was crucial to peace, progress and development.
Lapang, who was happy with the turnout of cyclists for the awareness
competition, said that government was ready to support all sports “and
not just football”.
“We are going to look into hockey, basketball, cycling and many other sports.
“Cycling has been known as a major form of exercise; I am really
delighted to see the kind of people who have come out because they
constitute of both the old and the young.
“For the young ones, you can aspire to take it as a profession and work hard for a better future ahead.
“For the old ones, we cannot over emphasize the issue of body
fitness. If you keep doing this, you can live a longer life,” he said.
The commissioner commended NASCO group of companies for proving to be
pacesetters by sponsorship the programme, and urged other multinational
corporations in the state to emulate that.
Lapang also lauded Plateau Amateur Cycling Association (PACA), for
partnering with NASCO to ensure the success of the competition
Speaking earlier, PACA Chairman, James Amidu, had maintained that the
exercise was to create awareness to the populace on cycling as a
popular sporting activity.
Amidu said that cycling could enhance one’s health and also create employment
Haroun Harry Audu, Group Marketing communications advisor of Nasco
had said that that NASCO cycling awareness campaigns is aimed at
reviving and strengthening public interest and participations in cycling
as an award winning sport for health and recreational purposes and for
the promotion of peace and tourism.
He also noted that this effort by NASCO Group therefore signal a
deliberate intervention by the group to support committed amateur
cyclists in the state adding that it is also expected to advance and
promote the benefit of cycling as a sporting and healthy enterprise.
According to him the event has provided the good life to the good
people of Plateau state via entertaining cycling displays by athletes
and other cycling members of the public, .
Our correspondent reports that Emmanuel Chuwang, an amateur cyclist
in Jos, emerged winner of a cycling awareness competition sponsored by
NASCO Group Nigeria Ltd.
Chuwang ran 9.6 kilometers in 14 minutes to emerge top of the
competition which took off from Old Airport Junction, Jos and terminated
at New Zaria Road Stadium.
Chuwang, who spoke with newsmen at the end of the event, appreciated
NASCO Group for the sponsorship, and dedicated his victory to God.
“God is the giver of strength of mind and body; I dedicate this God he said