The first-ever Athletics Championship organized by the Plateau State Athletics Association started today, 27th of October 2022 in Jos the Plateau State capital.
The Championship sees both para-athletes and able-bodied athletes competing in all events.
Declaring the Championship open, the Plateau State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Daniel Dung Dalyop, said the Championship complements the policy of the state government to identify talents and expose them to bigger platforms.
Hon. Dalyop praised the efforts of the Board of the Athletics Association as he stressed that government can not do it alone. He used the occasion to encourage private organizations and individuals to support the government’s efforts. He told the athletes that, “The least we owe you as a government is support”.
While wishing them an amazing Championship, Hon. Dalyop told them, “Participating alone is winning”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Hope Usieta, Chairman of Plateau State Athletics Association, while welcoming all to the Championship said it was conceived with the idea to develop athletics in not just Plateau State, but Nigeria as a whole.
He is as optimistic that the Championship will advance athletes in the state and assured all that the Championship will be sustained.
On his part, the Director of Sports, Plateau State, Simon Moven, said the timing of the Championship will go a long way in helping the state discover athletes that could go represent the state in the coming National Sports Festival.
The Championship will hold at the Rwang Pam Stadium and New Jos International Stadium from the 27th to the 29th of October 2022.