Gov Lalong passionate about promoting sports -Hon Victor Lapang 

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Plateau state government has said its willing to partner with any organization in order to promote sporting activities  in the state .

Commissioner of sports and Youth development Hon Victor Lapang made this known at the weekend during a   NASCO cycling awareness campaign held in Jos at the weekend.

Our correspondent reports that  the event which was sponsored by Nasco group of companies featured  all cycling enthusiasts within Jos and its environs .

Lapang  said “The  Lalong led  administration is determined to partner  with any coy to  develop sports in the state.$

He urged organizations and states to complement Government ’s efforts in the promotion of peace and inter – communal harmony among citizens through sports .

The state governor is determined to

promote sports in the state.

“Lalong is on a rescue

mission to rescue sports in

Plateau, “on assumption of

office, the support given by the

Rescue Administration raised

significantly the state performance

in sports and youth development

from its dismal status.

“ The results of this are the

participations of Plateau Athletes

in virtually all the sporting events

in and outside the country. These

participations won Plateau several medals in 

various sports. Similarly  Plateau United

Football Club gained promotion to

the Nigeria Professional Premier

League in 2015, and is today

performing excellently well  .

He said before now most

football clubs in Plateau were

performing poorly ,until the

Lalong administration came on

board and rescued the situation

by encouraging the team and

restructuring sports in Plateau, the

Simon Lalong led administration

has promised to provide the moral

and financial support to Plateau

United 

Lapang “ also said “Lalong has

also done well in promoting Golf

in the state ,You could recall that

recently golfers from several

countries recently visited Plateau

for a golfing tournament and this

promoted business in Plateau

,Lalong is also determined to

rebuild the abandoned Jos Zaria

road stadium,also recently Plateau

held a Marathon games which

attracted so many people to

Plateau ,also the state government

also hosted the Federal civil

service games in Jos last year

Gov Lalong  is passionate about promoting sports because it was crucial to peace, progress and development.

Lapang, who was happy with the turnout of cyclists for the awareness competition, said that government was ready to support all sports “and not just football”.

“We are going to look into hockey, basketball, cycling and many other sports.

“Cycling has been known as a major form of exercise; I am really delighted to see the kind of people who have come out because they constitute of both the old and the young.

“For the young ones, you can aspire to take it as a profession and work hard for a better future ahead.

“For the old ones, we cannot over emphasize the issue of body fitness. If you keep doing this, you can live a longer life,” he said.

The commissioner commended NASCO group of companies for proving to be pacesetters by sponsorship the programme, and urged other multinational corporations in the state to emulate that.

Lapang also lauded Plateau Amateur Cycling Association (PACA), for partnering with NASCO to ensure the success of the competition

Speaking earlier, PACA Chairman, James Amidu, had maintained that the exercise was to create awareness to the populace on cycling as a popular sporting activity.

Amidu said that cycling could enhance one’s health and also create employment

Haroun Harry Audu, Group Marketing communications advisor  of Nasco had said that   that NASCO cycling awareness campaigns is aimed at reviving and strengthening public interest and participations in cycling as an award winning sport for health and recreational purposes and for the promotion of peace and tourism.

He also noted that this effort by NASCO Group therefore  signal a deliberate intervention by the group to support committed amateur cyclists in the state adding that it is also expected to advance and promote the benefit of cycling as a sporting and healthy enterprise.

According to him the event has provided   the good life to the good people of Plateau state via entertaining cycling displays by athletes and other cycling members of the public, .

Our correspondent reports that  Emmanuel Chuwang, an amateur cyclist in Jos, emerged winner of a cycling awareness competition sponsored by NASCO Group Nigeria Ltd.

Chuwang ran 9.6 kilometers in 14 minutes to emerge top of the competition which took off from Old Airport Junction, Jos and terminated at New Zaria Road Stadium.

Chuwang, who spoke with newsmen  at the end of the event, appreciated NASCO Group for the sponsorship, and dedicated his victory to God.

“God is the giver of strength of mind and body; I dedicate this God he said 

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Gov Lalong passionate about promoting sports -Hon Victor Lapang