The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, is not hiding the fact that the appointment of the state’s sports ambassador, Daniel Igali as the Chairman Technical Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is a big joy to the people and government of Bayelsa state.
He was openly ecstatic about the development as he described it as one of the best decisions taken by the country’s Olympic committee.
Reacting to the appointment, the Governor commended the leadership of the NOC, noting that Igali’s appointment will mark the beginning of a turning point in Nigeria’s quest to attain greater recognition and performance in the global sports arena.
According to him, Igali has proved himself worthy, both as a world class athlete and during his spell as technical adviser of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, that he has the qualities to drive the nation’s sports to greater heights, if given the opportunity.
He noted with satisfaction, Daniel Igali’s enviable exploits both on and off the wrestling mat, adding that, he has remained a pacesetter and an inspiration to the present generation of sportsmen and women as well as those yet unborn.
Describing him as a tough, resilience, determined and result oriented sportsman of repute, Governor Dickson expressed the hope that, he will bring his wealth of experience at various levels of participation in sports to better the nation’s fortunes as well as bring about a whole new concept and orientation among our athletes, coaches and administrators.
His words “The Government and good people of Bayelsa state are proud of your enviable record of achievements in wrestling and sports in general and we trust that even on this occasion, you will not let us down”
“I wish to assure you that, your Government and Bayelsans, whom you have always proudly represented, will give you all the needed support and encouragement to succeed and excel in your new assignment”
“I also want to commend the sporting fraternity, especially the wrestling family and the NOC for the confidence reposed in Daniel Igali, who has remained a successful and exemplary ambassador of our country”
The Bayelsa state Governor used the opportunity to recall, Igali’s recent selection by the world wrestling body to address the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board in St. Petersburg, Russia for the sport to retain its place in the Olympic Games, even beyond the 2016 games in Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil.
“That, you were recognized as one of five persons from all over the world to speak for wrestling is a manifestation of how much you are accepted Internationally and places you as first among equals in the global sporting arena and Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation are proud of this feat.”
