By Goodness Ndukuba
Awka, May 1, 2024 – Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has challenged wealthy indigenes of the state to support the government efforts in the development of sports for greater impact.
Soludo also tasked the Anambra State Sports Development Commission to engage programmes to woo wealthy individuals of the state to boost the sector.
“We want to produce more Olympians again such athletes as Mary Onyali-Omogbemi, Innocent Egbunike, Beatrice Utondu and others,” he said.
Soludo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Ernest Ezeajugh at the 2024 edition of Anambra State School Sports Festival pre- competition briefing in Awka acknowledged the abundance of sports talents in the state to achieve such fate again.
“My administration is resolute in bringing out the best in our children through sports, taking them out of the streets and keep yourself busy away from crimes.
“This will also help to channel your minds to meaningful ventures to enable you contribute to sports development while pursuing your education career.
“The sky is your limit, engage in active sports to unlock your talents” he
Acknowledging enormous benefits in the previous editions of the sports festival, the governor called on relevant stakeholders to key into sports project in the state to achieve better results.
“They can sponsor a child, build a pitch for sports engagements in their communities.
“My administration is doing its best for the betterment of our tomorrow.
Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Agha-Mba, said the sports festival had reinvented talent hunts and showcasing the state to the outside world.
He commended the efforts of
the governor and the Chairman of the State Sports Development Commission, Patrick Onyedum for keeping the flag flying in sports development.
Earlier, Onyedum described the Anambra State Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI), as the vehicle with which Soludo is revolutionizing sports in the state.
According to him, within two years of his administration, the glory of Anambra sports is returning at an encouraging speed.
He said about 600 primary and secondary schools registered and participated in the sports festival last year which has been yielding fruitful results.
“From that festival, young, raw talented children from across Anambra who went to National Youth Games in Asaba and shook the country at that level of sports development were discovered,” Onyedum said.
He said that about 756 primary and secondary Schools have indicated interest to participate in this year’s edition of the festival, adding that as the preparation for this year’s National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State has started, the young and raw talents that will be discovered from the festival will constitute up to 85% of Anambra team to the Games.
He said that the children would this year compete in 12 sporting events, including athletics, basketball, chess, football, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, cricket and ncho.
The games which kicks off from May 2 to June 7 are in three categories of Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 at the community, local government area, senatorial district and state levels.
