By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The Gombe State Athletic Association has organised a civic reception in honour of athletes, journalists, administrators and sponsors of sporting events who have contributed towards the development of Sports in Gombe State.
Alhaji Inuwa Kari, the Chief of Staff, Government House Gombe, was presented with a Sports Excellence award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sports development in the State.
Chairman of the Association and veteran Nigerian athlete, Alhaji Adamu Bello, explained that the event was organised to motivate athletes to excel in their various competitions.
He stated also that the dinner event was an effort aimed towards promoting sports development, encourage young talents, and recognise outstanding performance. The event attracted several dignitaries in the State.
Alhaji Adamu Bello, an active athlete in his hay days who won laurels for the State and country in the 90s, advised the athletes to remain disciplined, focused, and to shun all forms of social vices.
He also pledged to sponsor the educational scholarships of five athletes in Texas University United States of America.
Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Talase who served as Chairman of the occasion, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and commended the organiser for his commitment to sports development. He called on other sports administrators to emulate such efforts in supporting athletes.
Director of sports Malam Manga Saleh, urged the athletes to remain committed and improve on their performances. He also advised coaches to ensure that the sports items distributed are used judiciously for the benefit of the athletes.
Athletes that were honoured at the event included those that participated at the recent first edition of the North East u-17 athletic championship held in Bauchi between 20th to 22nd November 2025 and won 11 medals.
The athletes are lamech Danladi 2 bronze medals in (800m, 1500m), Adamu Abdullahi I silver 1 bronze medals in (100m, 200m), Elisha Kengs 2 gold medals in (200m, 400m), Catherine Kimenson 4 bronze and 1gold medals in (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and long jump) who was recognised as the best performing athlete with the highest medals of the competition.
They were presented with certificate of participation, medals, sports kits, school bags, trophies, and cash prizes.
Also recognised with an award was Mr Jafaru Tijjani, the presenter of Midweek Sports on Gombe Media Corporation (Radio and TV). Mr. Tijjani described the honour as a collective achievement and dedicated it to the management and staff of the GMC.
Equally, other sports presenters form media houses in the State were recognized and honored with gifts. They include NTA channel 5 sports presenter, Amana Radio sports presenter, Vision FM sports presenter, and the chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN Gombe state chapter, for their deduction and resilience to duty.
Some individuals who were honoured included Alhaji Ibrahim Inuwa Salisu, the Managing Director of White Light Badminton Club, who was awarded with a trophy and gifts. It was also to encourage him in building a badminton hall and establishing a badminton club.
The Managing Director of Alnusaiba, Alhaji Sule Usman, who is also the Chairman of weightlifting Association, received an award in recognition of his contributions to weightlifting in the State.
End.
