The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo has described sport as a promoter of universal values which transcend language and culture, saying that it could be used as a tool to improve welfare of the planet and its people.
Speaking with newsmen after participating in the 5km weekly Prosperity Walk in Yenagoa on Thursday, Mr. Kiyaramo noted that sport, more than any other social activity, brings people together in such great numbers, with so much passion and enjoyment as was witnessed during the prosperity walk, describing it as a fun excercise.
He pointed out that through its values, sport teaches participants teamwork, leadership, humility, tenacity, and determination, and that sport can also be used to shine a light on social issues, by harnessing its influence and reach to draw attention to matters that positively impact society.
While commending the Prosperity Administration under Senator Douye Diri for using sports as veritable tool for reconciliation and peace building, Mr. Kiyaramo maintained that sport has been since idealized as a way of healing old wounds and mending fences, with a view to overcoming differences among cultures and nations.
He stated that sport at the community level, provides useful ways of creating friendly and peaceful environment where people come together to plan and work towards the same goal, showing respect for others while sharing space and equipment, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
According to him, sporting activities also play such important role in helping to achieve the sustainable development goals of No poverty, Zero Hunger, good health and gender equality, adding that sport for development programmes have become suitable complement for tackling hunger and education.
The governor’s aide stressed that the role of sports in promoting gender equality is also critical, reiterating that sport helps girls and women to build self-esteem while developing skills needed to become equal participants and leaders in their various communities, just as sport-based initiatives have the potential to equip the girl child and women with knowledge and skills that would allow them to progress in society.
He stated that major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, football and rugby championships have become powerful tourism attractions in themselves, making very positive contribution to the tourism image of the host destination.
Mr Kiyaramo informed that sports tourism has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry, just as advised the private sector to take advantage of the huge market in Bayelsa State, being the home of sports legends.
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