The Federal Government and the representatives of the Bayelsa State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the upgrading of the Sports Academy located in Asuama, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government Area of the State.
The State Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, while on a tour of the Institute, announced that the MUO is expected to address the issues of upgrading of the facilities and structures in the academy.
The Bayelsa Sports Academy was established in 2013 during the tenure of former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson as a premier institute of sports for the training of young talents in the country.
The Sports academy, which is presently at a temporary site was turned to a model Secondary school of learning by the immediate past Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson with focus on formal education and sports training.
Igali, who met with the Principal of the Academy, Mr. Dickson Akpatako, coaches and teachers in the Institute, said “though there were challenges of the poor building facilities, shortage of teachers and truancy, poor sports facilities and shortage of coaches. This is a temporary facility. When we have everything completed, the academy will take shape.”
He said further, “my visit to the institution showed that buildings need to be renovated, more teachers and coaches required. We have an MOU with the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports because our goal is to make institution accessible to young pupils from other states of the country. We are hoping that the expected upgrade will reshape the Institution for excellence”.
Igali, who is also an Olympic champion, assured the management of the Sports Academy of the State Government commitment at upgrading the institute with more training facilities in boxing, football, wrestling and Judo.
Also Speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, who was also on the assessment tour of the institution warned against acts of truancy by the teachers deployed to the sports academy.