By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development, Hon. John Alla, has commended the governor, Senator Douye Diri, for investing in grassroots sports development, noting that the initiative has contributed to the promotion of peace in the state.
Allah said promotion of sports tourism fosters peaceful coexistence in a destination, inculcating peaceful values like fair play, respect, and teamwork in the citizenry, which contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Speaking with newsmen after watching the finals of the 6th edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened ‘Prosperity Cup’, at the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium on Sunday in Yenagoa, Hon. John, who was full of praise for Senator Diri, said sports can create shared experiences and memories among spectators, participants, and the locals, fostering a sense of shared humanity and community.
Hon. John maintained that the governor’s sports development efforts have really contributed to the peaceful atmosphere in the state, as he hinted on plans to collaborate with his counterpart in the Ministry of Sports Development and other relevant agencies to enhance the tourism offerings of the state.
He noted that such collaborations with relevant institutions and stakeholders would go a long in facilitating cultural exchange programmes with a view to enriching experiences of visitors to the state and the locals alike, reiterating that tourism facilitates cultural exchange between visitors and locals, promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect to generate income and jobs in state and reduce poverty, unemployment while contributing to peaceful coexistence and stability in the state.
While emphasizing the benefits that come with social connections through sports tourism, he added that: “Sporting events and activities could bring people together in a destination to foster social connections and sense of community. Sports tourism would facilitate cultural exchange between visitors and the locals, promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect among all stakeholders.
“Hosting sport events could lead to infrastructure development, such as stadiums and arenas, which could be used for non-sporting events and community activities. Sports tourism would help in building bridges between communities and cultures, promoting peaceful relations and understanding. It promotes active living and healthy lifestyles that contribute to physical and mental well-being.
“Bringing people together through sporting events would go a long way in uniting people from different backgrounds, political affiliations, cultures, and beliefs, thereby foster cross-cultural understanding and respect among visitors and the locals, providing a veritable platform for dialogue and peace building among people from different backgrounds and cultural orientations.
“Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament has actually promoted tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Bayelsans and visitors, irrespective of political affiliations, religious differences, and cultural backgrounds. It promotes acceptance of cultural differences, facilitating bridge building between both residents and visitors alike,” Alla said.
