REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Anambra State Government has commenced a mandatory data capturing exercise for all sports instructors, officers and administrators across the state as part of efforts to sanitise and reposition the sports sector.
The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Patrick Agha Mba who disclosed this during a press conference with Sports Writers in Awka said the exercise is free but compulsory.
According to him, the exercise, which is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution Agenda, will hold concurrently at the 21 Local Government Headquarters from September 29 to 30, 2026.
He explained that only those who participate in the registration will be eligible to benefit from government partnerships and programmes.
The Commissioner noted that many individuals currently operating as sports instructors, officers and administrators in schools, academies, clubs and communities across the state lack formal registration with the Ministry and do not possess standardised knowledge of modern sports fundamentals, safety, first aid, talent management and ethics.
Mr Mba said that after the data capturing, all registered personnel would undergo a comprehensive retraining workshop covering general fundamentals of sports, including administration, coaching principles, safety, anti-doping and safeguarding, as well as specialised technical sessions based on their respective sports.
He noted that participants who complete the workshop will be certified by the Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
Mr Agha-Mba said the certificate will henceforth be a basic requirement for anyone wishing to practise as a sports instructor or administrator in any public institution or sports facility in the state.
The Commissioner called on all sports instructors in primary and secondary schools, private academies, fitness centres, community clubs and local governments to take advantage of the window to get registered, stressing that the safety and future of young people remain paramount.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the Ministry has constituted a committee to sanitise, structure and strengthen sports development at the grassroots.
