Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has said that the ministry of Sports and Youth Development is working closely with the State Ministry of Education to enable the students and pupils to be taught relevant skills that will help them build the future of their dreams as well as restore the study of Physical Education in Abia schools.
The governor added that his administration has set up mechanisms to revive inter-house sports and other sports competitions in the state to harness the potential of Abia youths.
Speaking at Umuahia township stadium on Friday, 22nd March,2024,while declaring open the maiden edition of the Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games, governor Otti directed all principals of secondary schools in the state to regularise Inter-House Sports in schools.
Sports in Abia he maintained would be run as a professional venture in the state, saying that foreign investors and local investors have already been in talks with him on how to develop and harness the potential of young sportsmen and women, adding that Nsulu Games Village in Isiala Ngwa North is being reactivated.
“What we have started with these games is a signal to what we want to do for the entire sports ecosystem in the state. We have recently put together a comprehensive grassroots sports development that would involve infrastructure, training and exposure of talented athletes to life-changing opportunities and platforms”
He disclosed that the pilot phase of his sports programme will involve the building of model sports centres in communities and urban neighbourhoods, where kids and teenagers with talents and interest in pursuing careers in sports would be taught the ropes, by accomplished professionals.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Nwaobilor Analaba thanked the Governor for procuring different sports equipment, reviving grassroots games and for his efforts in lifting the ban placed on Umuahia township stadium, by the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL.
Also, Abia State Director of Sports, Mr. Obioma George said a total of 1,840 students are competing in 24 games, while describing the exercise as a dream come true and first of its kind in the history of Sports in Abia State.
