Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared the 42nd edition of the Federation of Public Service Games open in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Gov. Bago, who was represented by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Andulmalik Sarkindaji, appealed to the government at all levels, individuals, and corporate organisations to take deliberate efforts towards investing in sports development, especially in the area of facilities, in order to enhance the development of sports in the country.
Gov. Bago said that investment in sports development will go a long way in addressing the challenges facing the country and therefore make it very necessary for the government at all levels to pay special attention to the development of sports.
According to him, his administration has taken deliberate steps towards providing world-class sporting facilities across the state, beginning with the renovation and upgrading of the abandoned Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium Complex.
He pointed to the determination of his administration to create an environment where youth, especially athletes, can thrive and achieve their full potential.
The governor hinted that the government has begun the construction of the second phase of the Ahmadu Bahago Sports Complex currently hosting the FEPSGA, stressing that "the expansion will accommodate various indoor sporting activities.
He reminded the participants that the Federal Civil Service Games go beyond sports and are an avenue for national integration where people of different backgrounds come together to compete for trophies in a healthy and secure environment to foster a culture of brotherhood and sportsmanship.
Earlier, the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yomi Esan, said the essence of the annual civil service games was about the wellness and wellbeing of civil servants in the country, adding that it was not all about winning medals and trophies.
She urged the participants to take the games seriously, as sports have now become a multi-billion-dollar venture all over the world.
Also in his goodwill message at the occasion, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalong, said that investment in sports will go a long way in addressing the security challenges facing the country, stressing that "if we invest in sports, we will have succeeded in addressing about 50 percent of our security challenges in this country”.