Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has rewarded winning institutions at the maiden edition of the Governor Ododo All Campus Games with cash prizes, while pledging sustained government support for the competition.
The cash awards were presented to the victorious institutions on Tuesday inside the conference room of the ministry of Youths and sports development, state Secretariat Lokoja, .
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, commended the participating institutions, athletes and members of the Local Organising Committee for their contributions to the successful hosting of the competition.
Anyebe expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for providing the necessary financial support and ensuring adequate security throughout the games, noting that the governor’s commitment was instrumental to the success recorded.
He said the competition was conceived to promote unity, strengthen relationships among students of state-owned tertiary institutions and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their sporting talents.
According to him, the impressive participation and enthusiasm demonstrated by the institutions have further strengthened the government’s resolve to sustain and improve the competition in subsequent editions.
The commissioner applauded the directors of sports and management of the participating institutions for their cooperation, as well as the athletes for their discipline, sportsmanship and commitment throughout the week-long event.
He particularly noted that the competition ended without any security breach or emergency, describing the orderly conduct of participants as commendable.
Anyebe assured that subsequent editions would be better, adding that the maiden competition had already begun to achieve its objectives, with local and international talent scouts reportedly identifying promising athletes for possible trials and further opportunities.
He urged institutions that won medals to utilise the cash rewards as motivation to improve their performance in future editions.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Ododo had promised to rehabilitate and upgrade the Confluence Stadium in Zone 8, Lokoja, which is expected to host the next edition of the competition.
He said despite some internal challenges encountered during the event, the participating athletes demonstrated exceptional determination and sporting abilities.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, emerged as the star performer in football, winning the gold medal and receiving a cash award of N1.5 million, while the Federal University Lokoja led the athletics medal standings.
Other institutions that participated in the maiden edition included Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; Kogi State University, Kabba; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; Federal College of Education, Okene; College of Education, Ankpa; College of Education (Technical), Mopa; College of Health Technology, Idah; and College of Nursing, Obangede, while Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara could not participate due to unforseen circumstances.
The maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games was organised to discover emerging sporting talents, promote healthy competition and foster unity among students of tertiary institutions in Kogi State
