Plateau State Athletes have been applauded for showcasing their talents and putting up an impressive outing anywhere they find themselves.
This applause was given by the Plateau State Sports Council’s Director of Sports, Professor Ezra Gunen, while speaking to Sports Writers from Plateau State, at the Alake Sports centre, on the sideline of the ongoing National Sports Festival,the Gateway Games in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Prof Gunen, commended the State Athletes at the ongoing Sports Festival in Abeokuta, for their excellent performance especially in individual events.
However, he said Plateau seems to be playing against itself, as many Athletes from the state are
seen playing for other states against Plateau and that it’s a sign that the state has the best athlethes in the country.
The Director of Sports, stated that “Plateau athletes are putting up impressive outings in their games but it seems in most instances the state plays against itself as you will see many athletes from the state representing other states due to poaching, this is an indication that we have the best that attracts other states, though some of these athletes left illegally, so when we return to jos, actions will be taken against those that left illegally”.
He further maintained that “Plateau Athletes are in Basketball, Volleyball and Handball, with different other sports. It’s a good thing that our players here are putting in excellent performances that has gotten us 11 medals cumulatively in individual events, and we still expect more. The state will create impact in sports we are best known for”.
An elated Prof. Gunen, further gave kudos to the Plateau State Government under the ‘Time is Now’ mantra of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for sponsoring the largest contingents in the whole of the Northern States.
“I will like to appreciate the Government of the ‘Time is Now’ mantra of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for the support, as the support is enormous and the best from any Government in the region, we have the largest contingent of about 325 Athletes and officials while having 21 vehicles to convey everyone to the venue, we can’t ask for more but to thank His Excellency and we will keep flying the flag of the state high”.
He thereafter, enjoined lovers of Sports on the Plateau to keep calm as the athletes are still adjusting to the warm weather because of the cold weather they have in jos. That by the time they re-aclamatize “the medals will start rolling in as we are expecting atleast 10 gold medals in individual events; we are making progres and cumulatively we’ll be aiming at above 20 medals”.
The DOS, also appreciated Plateau SWAN for the reportage so far of the Festival as it concerns Plateau.
Credit: Plateau SWAN, “Gateway Games 2024”.
