The welfare of Plateau State athletes at the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Gateway Games’, has reached an unprecedented level, according to the Director of Sports, Plateau State Sports Council, Professor Ezra Gunen.
Speaking to sports writers from Plateau State at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, Prof Gunen expressed delight at the improved conditions provided for the state’s contingent. He stated, “The welfare package by the Executive Governor and the driver of the ‘Time is Now’ mantra is highly commendable, it has never been this good. The athletes received their allowances before departing the state and the Governor was magnanimous by giving us about 24 vehicles, a situation that has never happened before in the state.”
Similarly, Plateau State Darts Coach, Stephen Dayok Inusa, praised the state government under the leadership of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for its proactive support. He noted, “Giving athletes their allowances (travelling/feeding) before leaving the state is first in the history of the state. We never begged before funds were released, and we got to the venue before the opening ceremony, unlike before when most times events would have started before we got there.”
The Chairman of the Plateau State Volleyball Association, Mr. Kevin Auta, also commended the government’s efforts, emphasizing the impact on the athletes’ morale and performance. “You can see that the players are highly motivated because they are being taken care of well. Even before they left Jos, their allowances were paid, they travelled comfortably and settled in well, so there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, they feed well as there is provision for food all day for the athletes,” he said.
The improved welfare initiatives by the Plateau State Government have significantly boosted the morale and preparedness of its athletes at the National Sports Festival, setting a new benchmark for future participation.