By Omuboye Sukubo

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Tuesday said the huge investment in sports facilities and policies was a further statement on his commitment to sports development in the state.

Wike stated this at the Golf Section of the Port Harcourt Club 1928 where he teed off the State Governor’s Golf Championship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship had the theme “Golf For Physical And Mental Wellness Towards Socio-Economic Development”.

Wike, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for bringing professional golfers to the state.

“Since I assumed office as the governor of this state, I have provided a fertile ground for sports activities to thrive, in addition to hosting several national and international competitions.

“The Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt is a world-class facility that is aimed at producing future generation of football talents for the state and  national teams,” he said.

The governor stated that the Real Madrid Academy was comparable to any other one in the world and his government was proud to have it in Rivers.

“It will be a production factory for future football talents in this country. The second phase will be commissioned today (Tuesday) and the school is ready for admission.

“The Real Madrid Academy was created in such a manner that those who are not successful in playing ball will continue with their education, while the successful ones will pursue their football career,” he said.

Wike assured that he would collaborate with the golfers association in Rivers to organise more competitions as a way of growing the sport and making it more accessible to a wide variety of people.

The General Manager of Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Mike Alika, and the association’s Secretary, Jide Bolaji, had welcomed the Governor to the event.

NAN reports that the tournament was organised in honour of Gov. Wike in view of “his monumental achievements in his landmark projects scattered across the state”.(NAN)