By Sanee Yarima
The Taraba State Sports Council received its newly inaugurated board members on Monday, appointed by Governor Agbu Kefas.
The board, led by Chairman Barrister Jime Yongo, began their day with a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Joseph Joshua at his office in Jalingo before proceeding to the Sports Council.
Accompanying them were the Director of the Sports Council, George Haruna, Secretary, and other management staff, with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Indo Markson, also in attendance.
In an interview with sports journalists at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, Chairman of the board Barr Jime Yongo promised to justify the confidence placed in them by Governor Agbu Kefas.
He emphasized the board’s commitment to revitalizing the state’s lost glory in sports and assured that they would work to promote sports as a youth-oriented sector.
The Chairman maintained that they will ensure that the state participates in every national event and secures medals.
Barr Yongo outlined their plans to attract investments from the private sector and international donors, aiming to transform sports into a revenue-generating sector to support Governor Agbu Kefas’s agenda for development.
He described the governor as a sports enthusiast and a champion for youth empowerment, pledging to make him proud with their efforts, given that the board is comprised of experienced individuals ready to collaborate with both the ministry and the council.
The Chairman expressed concern over the culture of poor maintenance, revealing plans for renovating the Jolly Nyame Stadium, affirming that Governor Kefas is committed to this effort.
“We want to involve everyone so that our youth shall have a direction. I want you to look at the Jolly Nyame Stadium; is a very big project, just like Sambisa was a big project, but if we allow it to decay, criminals will take over this stadium, and it will be a problem for the state, just like Sambisa became a problem to Nigeria.
“If you look at the stadium, it needs renovation, and that is the problem of our people in Nigeria—big projects, bad maintenance. But I believe our sporting governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, will come in; I know he will do. I believe he will do it,” Barr Yongo expressed optimism.
Additionally, Barr Jime Yongo sought a partnership with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to help achieve the goals set for developing the state’s sports sector.
Following their discussions, the Chairman and other board members, accompanied by the Director of the Sports Council, toured the facilities at Jolly Nyame Stadium.
