The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Shaba has emphasized Sports as a significant factor, integral to the productivity and total well-being of Scientists and Engineers.
He made the statement while receiving trophies won by NASRDA sports team and decorating the NASRDA sports team with medals, won from last year’s Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) games, at the Agency’s headquarters, in Abuja.
Shaba, while congratulating the team for their record-breaking performance at the games, said the connection between the lab and the pitch should be encouraged, as fit engineers and scientists are more prone to deliver better research output.
The Director General, who solicited assistance from the management staff, appreciated the Director, Media and Corporate Communications Dr. Felix Ale, who had earlier volunteered to source for funds in support of the team.
Dr. Shaba, while describing the NASRDA sportsmen as champions on both field and lab, assured them of the agency’s support, especially in the upgrade of sports facilities within the Agency.
The DG while speaking said he will play the game of facility development, and urged all members of staff to meaningfully contribute towards the revamping of the Agency’s sports facilities, which is necessary for preparation towards this year’s RIGAN games.
He further constituted a committee, headed by the Director Procurement department, Mr Musa James, with a mandate to develop strategies to help support NASRDA sports program.
The NASRDA Boss urged the team to remain relentless in their quest to make the Space Agency proud through Sporting activities.
Speaking earlier, The Director, Space Incubation Centre and head of the delegation, Dr. Haruna Mohammed, appreciated the DG for his incessant support, encouragement and the opportunity granted to the team to feature, for the first time ever at RIGAN games, last year.
He expressed his delight at the level of dexterity shown by members of the NASRDA sports team, in anticipation of the upcoming games and promised the DG of the team’s resolve to win more medals and cast the Agency’s name in gold, during this year’s outing.
According to him, contingents from NASRDA are eager to take on their opponents from other research institutes in such games as Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Badminton, Table tennis, Snooker and the like in which they were able to secure two gold medals and two trophies.
Dr. Haruna however emphasized the need for bigger and better sports facilities for training purposes and pleaded for the overhaul of the swimming pool, saying that swimming is an alternative sport for those who are unable to participate in contact games.
Below are sights from the event.
