Mark D’ Ball Boss hails Nasarawa’s sports revolution

...Commends Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration sports blueprint 
By Mishael Emmanuel 
 
 

Nasarawa State’s growing reputation as a rising sports hub has earned fresh plaudits, with Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship initiator, Mr. Igoche Mark, applauding the state government for what he described as a deliberate and result-driven investment in sports development.

Mark, who is eyeing a seat on the new Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Kwanta Bohar, in Lafia. 

He singled out Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration for deploying sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social cohesion.

“I commend the governor for actively advancing sports as a tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social unity,” Mark said. 

“This policy, which you are managing through conscious and deliberate investment, has started yielding results.”

As evidence, Mark pointed to the impressive showing of Nasarawa United, the state-owned football club, which currently sits among the top three teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League. 

He also highlighted the state’s renewed focus on infrastructure, particularly the ongoing upgrade of the Lafia City Stadium.

“I personally visited the Lafia City Stadium on Saturday and I can see the level of commitment,” he added.

“Beyond infrastructure, the sports programmes aimed at talent discovery, such as the annual Governor’s Cup and participation in the National Sports Festival are initiatives other states should emulate.”

Responding, Commissioner Kwanta Bohar reaffirmed that sports remains a key pillar of Governor Sule’s youth-focused agenda. 

According to him, the administration is leveraging sports to tackle unemployment and promote peaceful coexistence among young people across the state.

“My ministry, working under the mandate of Mr. Governor, is to use sports as a means of reducing unemployment and fostering peace among the youth,” Bohar said. 

“We run the annual Governor’s Cup football tournament across all 13 local government areas to discover grassroots talent. Beyond football, we also host and support competitions in other sports across the state.”

With growing investment, visible results and national recognition, Nasarawa’s sports drive is fast becoming a blueprint, one that is putting the state firmly on Nigeria’s sporting map.

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