HOPE FOR ATHLETICS, AS SAMKAY ACADEMY OPENS IN YENAGOA
...as Justice Ayah, Singabele, Wodi calls for more investments in talent discovery
It was an historic moment in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Tuesday January 16, 2024, with the launch of Samkay Athletics Academy to discover and nurture young athletes in track and field events to stardom.
The event which was held in the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, over 100 athletes from 9 secondary schools across Bayelsa Stat, participated in four events of 100 meters for boys and girls, 200 meters for boys and girls, 400 meters quarter milling for boys and girls and the 4 by 100 meters relay for boys and girls.
The founder and chairman of Samkay athletics Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, also known as Peremobowei Olotu, who was a former quarter miller himself, one time Radio Nigeria’s sports and general correspondent in Rivers State and later on, Bayelsa State and presently, the Director General to the Bayelsa State Governor on New Media, said the academy, would complement efforts of the Bayelsa State Government to boost sports development. He also said a technical team from the Academy would scout for young and promising athletes that would be provided quality training and competitions to expose them.
He stated, that his driving force for the project, remains his passion for track and field events and to give back to the Sports that gave him the platform to participate in two NUGA games, while in the University, having even started as an active athlete through his youthful age, from his primary to secondary schools, before then to the University, where he participated in 2 NUGA games at BUK, that is in Kano State in 1997 and Unilag, in Lagos State, a year later.
The Chairman of the occasion and a former athlete in the old Rivers State and currently President of the Bayelsa State Customary Court of Apeal, Honourable Justice Daniel Ayah said, the academy would serve as a veritable ground for new and budding talents to be discovered and called for more partnership to achieve set goals.
Justice Ayah, stated, that with the launch of the Samkay Academy, stakeholders in this part of the athletics world will be looking forward to the discovery of our own Usain Bolt and more of home grown talents like Chioma Ajunwa and Blessing Okagbare in the sprints and long jump field events.
Also speaking, special guest of honour at the occasion, a critical football stakeholder in the Country and presently the chairman of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) Dr. Peter Singabele, commended Dr. Oredipe for coming up with such an initiative, he said that sports remains a great investment platform for the youths of Nigeria to develop their talent and shape destiny.
The Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, who equally stood in for the Bayelsa State Youth and Sports Development Commissioner, Honourable Baraladei Daniel Igali, Sir Braveman Wodi, appreciated the Samkay Athletics Academy for holding the one day meet for secondary schools in the State, saying that, the Ministry of Sports and Sports Council is open to more partnership for grassroots sports development and athletes discovery.
Amgbare Pereolotu
Information Officer
Bayelsa State Youth and Sports
Development Ministry
