By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai bids players farewell, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, has emerged winner of the 7th Kaduna State Sports Festival with a total of 18 medals.
They garnered seven gold, eight bronze and three silver medals to maintain the top spot on the mefals table.
Makarfi LGA finished second with 14 medals, comprising seven gold, three silver and four bronze medals, while Kudan settled for the third spot with six gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
In his remarks at the concluding ceremony of the event, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said he was honoured to witness the last sports festival as governor of the state, noting that sports remains a uniting factor and as such, governments at all levels must give attention to harnessing more potentials from the youth.
He said Kaduna is blessed with several talents, adding that the state has been able to provide a conducive environment and will continue to support the players in every way possible for them to excel in their pursuit in the world of sports.
el-Rufai also urged those who did not emerge winners to try harder in subsequent competitions, advising that failure is a message to try again until they succeed.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, the state’s Commissioner for sports Development, Mr. Idris Samaila Nyam, applauded el-Rufai for his support to ensure that sports thrives in the state.
Nyam said Kaduna State is blessed to have el-Rufai as the number one citizen, saying that their athletes are ready to participate competitively in the forthcoming National Sports Festival, in Delta State.
He noted that the governor has given approval for the release of funds, so that the players can make themselves comfortable in Delta and come back victorious, stressing that the administration of Governor el-Rufai has supported sports in all ramification.
High point of the closing ceremony was the presentation of medals to top three teams in some team spots, as well as trophies to the top three LGAs.
The 23 local government areas participated at the sports festival, targetted at dis overing additional talents to represent the state late this month in Asaba as elite athletes converge for honours.
It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Sports Festival kicked-off on November 8 at the popular Ahmadu Bello Stadium, with players competing in different games: football, cricket, athletics, handball, among others.
