Sim Fubara: Why We Will Back Sports Development
By Uke Uke
Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“What you are doing today serves as a message to the youths”, Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State said while receiving members of the victorious Hoopers Basketball Club at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Hoopers who represented the State have just returned from an international competition, clutching the topmost trophy which has further placed Rivers State on the Basketball map.
Addressing members of the victorious team, Fubara observed that their performance at the competition has sent a message to all youths, especially those “constituting a nuisance and perpetuating all forms of criminality.”
The Governor said he hoped that the satisfactory performance of the Hoopers would force youths involved in criminal acts to “realise that they are wasting their energies as opposed to deploying them towards useful ventures for the benefit of our State.”
Fubara assured his administration’s support for the effective encouragement of sports in the State, promising youths that he would make sports attractive in the state.
Apparently impressed by the team’s skillful display, Governor Fubara donated the sum of N30 million to the officials and members of the Hoopers Basketball Club.
He admonished members of the team to work hard so they can win more laurels and said the trophy they won is proof of the fact that they could be world beaters.
“It is not just about giving you the endowment in terms of financial support”, the Governor remarked, “but it is also good to see that the contributions of the management and the players themselves collectively contributed to the success of the team.”
Sir Fubara commended the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Christopher Green for effectively managing the team and bringing honour to the State.
In his remark, Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green applauded the governor for rewarding hard work.
He disclosed that the Hoopers Basketball Club won all their six final matches and also beat Ghana’s team to emerge the winners of the Louis Edem International Basketball competition in Lagos.
The Commissioner also hinted that it would be the first time that the Hoopers Basketball Club would be rewarded for any victory they had ever clinched for the State.
Recall that the players of Hoopers Basketball Club, winners of this year’s edition of the Louis Edem International Basketball competition presented their laurels to the Rivers Governor at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Ogoh Odaudu, head coach of Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club presenting the club’s Jersey to Governor Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.