REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
The Abia state government has reiterated its commitment to evolving programmes and policies aimed at promoting youths and sports development in the state.
Governor Alex Otti stated this when he received the Torch of Unity for the second edition of the Niger-Delta Games billed for 20th to 27th of this month in Edo state at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Mereibeole said the Torch of Unity signifies resilience, sportsmanship and shared progress across the Niger Delta states and urged the Abia Athletes to be focused during competition.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, thanked Governor Alex Otti for his tremendous support to achieving remarkable sports development in the state.
Sir Ananaba who said the NDDC Unity Torch presentation had offered the commission the opportunity to honor extraordinary achievements of some young sports ambassadors of the state who had made the state proud at national and internationally.
Presenting the scorecards of the sports council, the Director of Sports, Mr Obioma George said the enormous support of the Governor to sports development had lifted Abia Athletes in the national youth games from 22nd position to 6th position and assured the Governor that Abia Athletes in the forthcoming Niger Delta games as well as other national sports festivals would sustain the tempo.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Abia State Basketball Association, Mr. Victor Okoro, Abia-born International basketball star, Ezinne Kalu, and a fifteen year old gymnast, Stephanie Onutiruka, all applauded Governor Otti for his unwavering support for sports and promised to continue making the state proud.
