– says essence is to discover young talents
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Oil, Senator Heineken LokpobirI has organised a Secondary School athletics competition for secondary schools in Bayelsa State at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Ovom, Yenagoa.
In his welcome address, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Oil, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri represented by Hon.Orubebe Ogeibiri said the competition was conceived to engage the youths and redirect their energies from engaging in anti- social vices to productive ventures.
He commended the Chief Executive Officer of Mr.Richard Torugbene Athletics Academy Ltd for his vision in engaging the youths through sports.
According to the Orubebe, the athletic championship competition was put together by the Honourable Minister, Heineken Lokpobiri to discover raw talents using sports as vehicle.
In his words: “the athletic championship was borne out of the magnanimity of the Honourable Minister to put his people at the forefront in order to catch the young ones at a very tender age so as to discourage them indulging in anti- social activities and encouraged them to engage in meaningful ventures.
He hinted that it is the Minister’s mission to discourage juvenile delinquency and engage them in meaningful ventures through sports.
Orubebe expressed the willingness of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri to support sports development in the State.
In his remarks, Dr.Kola Oredipe, the Director General of Bayelsa State New Media thanked Senator Heineken Lokpobiri for his contributions towards sports development in the State.
Kola Oredipe who doubles as Vice-Chairman of Athletics Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter described sports as a unifying factor, urging other private and well meaning Bayelsans to join the prosperity government led by Senator Douye Diri to invest in sports development.
In his remarks, Mr.Richard Torugbene thanked the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Oil Senator Heineken Lokpobirii for sponsoring the maiden edition of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri inter Secondary Schools athletic competition, describing him as a lover of sports.
He said, the major aim of the competition is to discover young talents in secondary Schools and address youth restiveness in the state.
He stated that, through athletic competition, young talents discovered will be groomed to represent the state at National youth games and National sports festival.
High point of the event was Traditional wrestling display performance and presentation of cash prizes to winners.
The maiden edition which had over 9 secondary schools in attendance, contested in various fields and track events, ranging from 100m race, 200m race, 400m,800m.
Some of the winners approached for comment offered their appreciation to Heineken Lokpobiri for creating the enabling environment for them to demonstrate their sporting prowess and expressed appreciation for awards they received
The winners of the maiden edition of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri Inter Secondary Schools athletic competition are Relay Finals Boys- Government Secondary School Okaka-1st Position, Sam Kay Athletics 2nd Position ,Bishop Dimieari Grammar School -3rd Position
Relay Final Girls-S.t Jude’s Girls Secondary School -1st Position, Community Secondary School Biogbolo-2nd Position while Faith Comprehensive High School came third.
100m under 20 Finals- Tejiri Godwin won 1st Position 10:30s, Ebido Oyintombra 2nd Position-1052s, while Shalom George took third position-10:58s
100m Secondary School Boys: Perfect Write won 1st position, Ibkiemo, second position while Lucky clinched third position.
100m Secondary School Girls: Faith Ezechuckwu 1st position, Gift Allison 2nd Position while Sonia Ofeni settled for third position.
