The maiden edition of the Annual Federal Education Sector Games has commenced in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, with about 700 athletes participating.
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State opened the one week sporting fiesta at the Lafia township stadium on Monday.
The 700 athletes participating in the maiden FEDUGAM are from the Federal Ministry of Education and parastatals and agencies under it.
Al-Makura, represented by his deputy, Hon. Silas Agara, commended the organisers of the games for finding Nasarawa State worthy of hosting the maiden edition.
He pledged to ensure that the sporting activities starts and ends without any hitch or security breach.
He said: “Indeed your choice of this state is an added impetus to our commitment in making sports a strong vista of economic opportunities that will discover sporting talents in the state.’’
The governor said to encourage further participation in sports activities, the Nasarawa State Government had concluded plans to renovate the sports academy in the state and equip it with modern facilities.
Al-Makura said: “As a matter of fact, last Saturday, we took a working visit to the sporting venues in Akwanga where we gave instructions for other facilities to be put in place.
“I want to assure that hopefully by June next year, the place will be bubbling which will fast track our template for sports development.”
Al-Makura said efforts were being intensified to create a synergy between the ministries of education and sports to work out a modality that would enable the participation of Nigerian children and youths in sports.
According to him, children from primary to tertiary level can take part in one sporting activities or the other to produce national heroes for the country in international arena.
Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, represented by Sonny Ochono, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, commended the Nasarawa State Government for accepting to host the games.
He added that the gesture would create a harmonious relationship between the state and the ministry.
Adamu said: “Your excellency, Nasarawa State will go down on record as the first state to host our annual education sector games and for that we are grateful to you and the good people of the state.”
Adamu added that the games were introduced with three cardinal objectives to foster unity, friendship and synergy among staff of the ministry and its agencies.
This would also help in promoting of physical and mental fitness of the workforce and helping to inculcate spirit of good sportsmanship.
He said: “The initiative can also be used in tapping hidden talents within the public service and also to serve as a bounding force among participants.
“To all those participating, I appeal for decorum and peace as the whole idea is about participation, not a ‘do or die’ or must ‘win at all cost’.”
Speaking to newsmen, the consultant of the game, Okey Yinka, revealed that the 700 athletes were from 13 agencies and parastatals under the ministry of education that were participating in the games.
Yinka said: “We have a total of 13 out 21 agencies and about 700 athletes competing. The goal is to bring unity among our staff from various establishments so as to improve their mental capacity and fitness.
“That is if you are not a staff of any of the establishment under the ministry, you will not be allowed to participate.”
Some agencies and parastatals participating in the sporting fiesta include the National Examination Council, National Universities Commission and National Mathematical Centre.
The sporting activities being competed for in the event include: Lawn Tennis, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis and Scrabble.