NASARAWA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS WELCOMES JUDO HEROINE, GRACE HARUNA IN LAFIA
After ending the National Senior Judo Classics with a silver medal, Grace Haruna of the Nasarawa State Judo Association has been accorded a rousing reception by the Management of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
At a brief ceremony held in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, and attended by members of the Organisation’s Management, on Friday, Coach Bashir Bassey disclosed that the female judoka took her quintessential credentials to the city of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, fighting her way to the finals in the Women’s 78kg before gallantly bowing to her Ondo State counterpart, Adijat Azeez.
With over 100 athletes taking part in the championship which had 26 States in attendance, Grace who went on self-sponsorship weathered the storm and defied logic to finish among the best performers, including earning a Black Belt Degree Certificate.
Impressed by the determination and astronomical display of the 2018 African Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria, Silver medalist, the Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi praised her for making herself and Nasarawa State proud despite doing that at her own expense.
He said people like Grace have continued to bring honour and glory to Nasarawa State, stressing that the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration rewards hard work and excellence, regardless of who displays it.
“Let me appreciate and congratulate you, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner and entire Staff of the Ministry, for this mean feat.
“It’s never easy to go on a self-development and self-sponsorship tournament to come up with such kind of laurel.
“Your achievements may be personal to you, but you didn’t go there on your own platform, but you went there to represent Nasarawa State, which means you represented the State and, therefore, a worthy ambassador over there.
“Your effort won’t be in vain. You have been representing the State and doing everyone proud in previous competitions. This latest achievement isn’t different, either.
“You might not have gotten any financial support from us to enable you participate at the Championship, but I stand to be corrected, the Ministry wasn’t communicated as to your intention to go for the championship.
“I would want to implore coaches and athletes to notify the Ministry on time once there is any event to enable us get the necessary support for you to partake.
“We hope this feat of yours will further spur you to continue to make the State proud in subsequent events.
“We thank your coach for guiding you through this level of achievement.
“We shall notify the Governor once he is back to the State about your milestone achievement, and we hope he will be ready to give you a more befitting reception.
“Once again, congratulations!”
Danladi later presented a cash sum to the athlete as part of the Ministry’s morale booster.
Grace’s performance at the National Senior Judo Classics which began on 13th December, 2023, and ended on 17th of same month, qualifies her for the final preparations to the All Africa Games in Ghana, slated for 2024.
Highpoint of the reception was the presentation of the Certificates garnered by the athlete from the Championship to the Permanent Secretary.
Eche Amos (Fellow, CBS),
PRO,
Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
22/12/2023
