REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated a new sports Council board to assist Abia state become the number one sports destination in Nigeria.
Inaugurating the board and its members at the indoor Hall Umuahia Township Stadium, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu said the inauguration signals the government’s renewed determination to leverage sports for youth engagement, talent development, and socio-economic advancement.
Governor Otti charged the members of the board to reposition the sector and turn it to a key driver of youth development, economic growth, and state pride.
According to the Governor, the transformative role of sports in society remains a powerful platform for engaging young people and instilling discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Earlier in an address, the Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba urged the board members to be proactive and apply innovative approaches to raise funds stressing that the government alone cannot fund sports development.
In his remarks, the Southeast Coordinator National Sports Commission Enugu, Mr Bernard Ezeama, who described Abia’s visible transformation in the sports sector urged the newly inaugurated officials to remain committed and accountable in their roles.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated board members, Chief Sampson Anagha pledged their commitment to delivering results, assuring that they would attract investors and justify the confidence reposed in them.
Also, taekwondo specialist, Chika Chukwumerije, highlighted the transformative power of sports in creating opportunities and empowering young people, urging stakeholders to invest more in talent development and grassroots programmes.
