By Magnus Effiong
The Governor-elect of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has said his administration would revive sports, and give the sector its pride of place.
Senator Otu, who said this at the Calabar Golf Club where he teed off a golf tournament as part of activities marking his inauguration on Monday as the 16th Governor of the State, said sports development would be one of his priorities.
Dressed in complete outfit as a golfer, the ‘Sweet Prince’, emphasized the importance of sports not only for youths but for physical health of everyone, and recalled the years when sporting clubs and athletes in the State were renowned across the country and beyond.
He said, “Rovers football club is today not heard of anymore. The same for Pelican Stars, the female football team, but we will make a plan for sports development for the State.
“I am happy to be part of the this golf tournament. I thank the organisers and I have promised to capture golfing as part of the general sports development plan for the State.”
Accompanied by his wife, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the Governor-elect was introduced to members of the Calabar Golf Club and made to tee off the tournament. A new hole, named Senator Bassey Otu Hole One was named in his honour.
The Club Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Major General Ahmed Abubakar Sabo (Rtd) thanked the Governor-elect and his wife for honouring the tournament with their presence.
The retired military man noted that the presence of the Governor-elect was a clear indication of a new leaf and fresh breath that would come upon sports in the State which, he said, had been relegated to irrelevance in almost a decade.
PillarToday reports that the tournament was graced by visiting golfers across the country and some sponsors including the Cross River State State Internal Revenue Service, CRSIRS.
