David Mark to build basketball hall in Benue

The Senate President, David Mark has promised to build an ultra modern basketball hall in Otukpo, Benue State to encourage the youths take to sports.


The Senate President who made the promise while declaring open the 2014 edition of 'Mark D Ball' basketball competition in Otukpo at the weekend said the project will be carried out in the new year.

He said: "We have acquired land to build the indoor basketball hall but it is out of town. So, our consideration has been either to look for a place central in the town here or go outside the town but as soon as that decision is taken, we will build the indoor basketball hall."

"To the young girls and young boys of Otukpo, I want to encourage you to take up one sporting activity. It will encourage you to be a better citizen," the initiator of 'Mark D Ball' basketball tournament added.

The Senate President acknowledged that once Nigerians are encouraged, they could attain any height, pledging that: "I will continue to encourage our boys and girls, I will continue to make them realize their potentials because when they do so, Nigeria will be great."

He said his target is to produce world basketball champions from Otukpo community in no distance future.

While noting that he was impressed by the turnout of youths and children to the basketball arena, Senator David Mark said sports is the easiest way to tackle crime in the society.

"I'm encouraged because the youths are here playing basketball rather than engaging in criminal activities."

Also speaking at the occasion, the People Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in next year's election, Terhemen Tarzor who highlighted the impacts of the tournament on the lives of the youths, promised to support the competition when he becomes Governor.

"We will make sure that this tournament will now be enlarged to include football competition," he promised.