Plateau set to reposition sports for better results, says Lapang

The Plateau State government has said that it would reposition its sports to enhance good performance of athletes.

The state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Victor Lapang said at the weekend in Jos that Governor Simon Lalong’s administration was determined to give sports a facelift in order to attract more youths to the sector.

Lapang pointed out that apart from giving sports a facelift, issues concerning welfare of athletes and officials would also receive prompt attention of government.

He explained that the state’s Sports Council, which is responsible for producing athletes for the state, would be given adequate attention in the area of training, facilities and equipment to enhance the capacity of both athletes and coaches.

Speaking on the on-going construction work at the Jos Ultra-Modern Sports Complex, Lapang expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, adding that when completed, most sporting activities would be taking place there.

According to the commissioner, “I appeal to the general public for your understanding, especially sports fans, that efforts are being made to ensure that the project is completed sooner rather than later.”

He said approval for the staging of the state’s Sports Festival this year has been given by the governor, adding that his ministry and the Sports Council will put their heads together to work out the modalities for the games.

Lapang had recently undertaken an assessment tour of some parastatals and agencies under his ministry, assuring that other sports will be given priority so as to enhance their performance, thereby avoiding athletes’ defection to other states.

He emphasized that the state football team, Plateau United Football Club will continue to receive prompt attention from the government to enable them to pick another continental laurel.