WE HAVE SET UP MECHANISMS TO REVIVE SPORTS, GOV OTTI SAYS, DECLARES COMPETITION OPEN
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says his administration has set up mechanisms to revive school sports in order to harness the great potential of the Abia youth.
Governor Otti stated this while declaring open the maiden edition of the Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games at Umuahia Township Stadium, on Friday.
He directed principals of secondary schools to regularise inter-house sports in their various schools and informed that the Ministry of Youths and Sports is working with its Ministry of Education counterpart to restore Physical and Health Education in the State.
The Governor added that his administration was setting up a sports facility at Nsulu, in Isialangwa North, and promised that sports would be run as a professional venture in Abia State. He revealed that he was in talks with both foreign and local sports investors to develop sports and called on public-spirited individuals and development partners to partner the State to further harness potentials in sports.
“I am specially delighted to welcome everyone, who has joined us to witness the kick off of the maiden edition of the Governor’s Unity Cup competition in the State, where champions from the 17 Local Government Areas will compete amongst themselves for laurels in 24 sporting events.
“What we have started with these games is a signal to what we want to do for the entire sports eco system in the State. We have recently developed a comprehensive grassroots sports programme that would involve the development of sports infrastructure, training and exposure of talented athletes to life changing opportunities and platforms.
“We are already in talks with local and foreign partners to commence the pilot phase of the programme which will see us build model sports centres in communities and urban neighbourhoods, where kids and teenagers with talents and interest in pursing careers in sports would be taught the ropes by accomplished professionals through structured programmes,” the Governor said.
He urged the students who are involved in the competition to approach the games with the goal to win and tasked the officials of the competition to be fair to all teams.
In his speech earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba said that Governor Otti was intentional about what he wants to do in Abia State, especially in promoting sports, starting from the grassroots to the cities.
He said the Governor graciously approved sports competitions among students, which led to the maiden edition of the Governor’s Unity Games among secondary schools in the State. He further appreciated the Governor for equipping the indoor sports hall.
Also, the State Director of Sports, Abia State Sports Council, Mr. Obioma George, disclosed that the event was first in the history of the state, and thanked Governor Otti for his interest in sports.
“Since the creation of Abia State, this is the first time that secondary schools are converging in the capital city of Umuahia for the secondary schools’ games. Not just that, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti came in person to declare the competition open. So far, we have recorded as documentations 1,840 students ready for the competition. So we are set. I think I am happy,” George said.
KAZIE UKO
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
March 23, 2024.
