The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has disclosed that his government has put in place mechanisms to revive inter-house sports and other sports competitions in the state to harness the potential of the youths in the state.
Otti made this disclosure at Umuahia township stadium on Friday while declaring open the maiden edition of the Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games.
He directed all principals of secondary schools in the state to regularize inter-house sports in schools and informed the participants that the State Ministry of Youths and Sports is working with its Ministry of Education counterpart to restore Physical and Health Education in the state.
The Governor explained that sports, henceforth, would be run as a professional venture in the state, adding 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.
He stated further 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”
Otti said 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
Speaking, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Nwaobilor Analaba, expressed gratitude to 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.
Also, Abia State Director of Sports, Mr. Obioma George, noted that a total of 1,840 students are competing in 24 games.
