The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Sani Ndanusa, has urged the 36 state governors in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory to emulate Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s sports development strategies in Delta State.
Uduaghan was present at the athletics arena on Monday when Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare ran the fastest time to clinch gold in the Women’s 100 metres at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The gold was Nigeria’s third at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland after the ones won by Chika Amalaha and Olauwatoyin Adesanmi in weightlifting events.
Ndanusa, therefore told NAN that it would take a man like Uduaghan to turn the fortunes of sports in the country.
He said: “I thank the Governor of Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the people of the state for the huge investment, concern and commitment they are giving to Okagbare, which led to her performance on Monday.
“The governor’s presence really added value to the whole thing and you know he has taken Okagbare’s sporting career as his personal project.
“That is commendable.
“I wish each governor in the country will follow suit to take-over the sponsorship of one athlete because to produce a Commonwealth beater is not easy.
“It requires continuous investment, support and commitment and this has paid off in the case of Okagbare.”
Nigeria won three medals on Monday, which included the bronze won in the table tennis team event by Segun Toriola, Aruna Quadri, Jide Ogidiolu, Bode Abiodun and Ojo Onalopo.
Others are the silver medal won by Itohan Ebireguesele after she scored 222 points in the weightlifting 67kg class and the gold won by Blessing Okagbare in the 100 metres.
Okagbare crossed the line in 10.85 seconds to set a record at the Games, which started on July 23 and will end on August 3.
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