Gov Otti Inaugurates Abia Sports Association, tasks Members on Athlete Development

By Kalu Ogburanwa

New Chairmen and Board Members of the different Sports Associations of the Abia State Sports Council have been inaugurated with a charge on them to come up with initiatives that will pave the way for Athletes and Players to excel in the country and beyond.

Speaking while inaugurating the Sports Associations at the Indoor Sports Hall, Umuahia Township Stadium, the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, reiterated the need for them to remain committed,resolute while effecting sound policies that will enhance sporting activities in the State and encouraged Abia youths to see the associations as veritable channels to enhancing their talents and dreams to stardom.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, pointed out that the government is interested in building bridges for the younger generations, strengthening the sporting infrastructure in the State as well as providing an enabling environment for Sports to thrive business-wise and called on the newly inaugurated Chairmen and Board members of the Sports Associations to come up with ideas and projects that will improve on the chances of the athletes and players to succeed.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobillor Ananaba, noted that the Board members of the Associations were carefully selected to add weight in the State’s Sports sector ranging from the wards, Local Governments to the National, adding that government is expecting integrity, accountability and productivity, from them.

Responding, the Zonal Coordinator, National Sports Commission, Mr Bennett Ezeama, appreciated the State Government for the foremost developmental achievements so far in the Sports sector and harped on the need for the Chairmen and Board members of the Associations not to leave any stones unturned in their mission to deliver.

In their remarks, the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George and the Acting Director-General of the BCA, Mr Francis Nwaubani who is equally a Sports guru commended the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti for his interest in Sports development which they said has exposed the State to fortunes as well as resulted in Abians being appointed as coaches in numerous Sports at the national level adding that the future for generational sports development in Abia is ever brighter.

In their messages, Chief Sampson Anagah and an Olympian, Mr Chika Chukwumerije, appreciated the State Government for giving them the opportunity to lead in their respective Sporting Associations and activities and assured that they will deliver accordingly.

The event attracted the who is who in sporting activities in the state,south-east zone and Nigeria at large including the special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring and Evaluation ,Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor,Commissioner for Lands,Chaka Chukwumerije amongst other high-ranking Government officials in Abia.