September 6, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government has again, said it remains committed to identifying, nurturing and supporting talented Bayelsans to fulfil their dreams through sports and win laurels for the state.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr Baraladei Igali, stated this when he received Bayelsa-born International Wrestling Referee, Dr Timipre Okou, who just returned from Madagascar, where he officiated at the Indian Ocean Island Games.
Dr Igali said the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri is passionate about the development of sports as a tool of engaging the productive energies of youths and creating platforms for Bayelsans to express themselves on a global stage.
While commending the strides of Dr Okou in refereeing, Igali described him as an asset to Bayelsa State and the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, adding that the state government will give him the needed support.
The Bayelsa-born International Wrestling Referee on his part, expressed gratitude to Governor Douye Diri, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports and the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, for giving him a platform to represent the country at the international stage.
Recounting his experiences as a Referee, Dr Okou, a Major in the Nigerian Army, said it is capable of providing socio-economic empowerment, and expressed his desire to partner the government and any group, to nurture and mentor budding talents in refereeing.
He revealed that plans are underway for a wrestling tournament among higher institutions in Bayelsa State, to discover wrestlers and nurture referees.
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