Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Ebonyi State Government says it competed only in the cricket event at the last National Youth Games (NYG) due to ongoing review of the state’s performances in past national sports competitions.
The cricket team (male and female) was Ebonyi’s only representative at the Aug. 29 to Sept. 6 games, won by Lagos, which dethroned perennial champions and hosts, Delta.state.
The situation drew concerns among sports stakeholders in the state and country after news filtered that the team was sponsored by a cricket stakeholder and not the state government
The state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Richard Idike, however said on Wednesday that the state no longer wants to compete in competitions for participation sake.
Idike said that the state’s “not too pronounced” presence at the youth games was a fallout of the performance review with accompanying reforms.
“We did not perform creditably at the last National Sports Festival in Ogun for instance and the review of our contingent’s performance is still ongoing.
“We would use results of the review to consolidate on areas of strength, improve on areas of weakness to avoid “participating to make up the numbers.
“We have comparative, sporting advantage in cricket and the females responded adequately by wining silver and bronze medals.”
The commissioner said that the government would, therefore, not be dragged into controversies concerning the team’s sponsorship.
“Sports has been repositioned in Ebonyi under the present administration because it has imbibed the public, private partnership module.
“This partnership has worked wonders in many climes and its adaptation has helped in transforming sports in Ebonyi.”
He noted that on assumption of office, the government reviewed the state’s sports policies to identify issues which led to decadence in the sector.
“The proactive steps taken afterwards have started yielding fruits which can be attested to around the country.
“The state-owned football club, Abakaliki FC, was successfully formed after several failed attempts and it shocked everyone by reaching the 2024 President’s Federation cup.
“The state governor showed his commitment towards appreciating deserving athletes by rewarding a state’s indigene who is a member of the victorious D’Tigress basketball team with N30.million.”
Idike assured Ebonyi people that the upward trajectory of sports in the state would continue due to the veritable prospects of the sector in overall development.
“We would compete at full swing in the next national youth games and other national competitions.
“We continue to seek the collaboration of the private sector in making all noble objectives, a reality,” he said.
What about rewarding athletes for their bravery at the last 2 sports festival????
What about rewarding athletes that still put the state in medal table at the last National sports festival????
What about rewarding young athletes that went to delta to represent the state and still came back home with medal????
Ebonyi has lost her touch in her athletes, so many Ebonyi athletes are participating in other states and they are performing well….
Someone should stand up and say the plain truth to the government…..
Ebonyi State Government invest in sports as you were doing sometime ago, invest more on your athletes and see the positive results….
Athletes are humans, their welfare is very important…..
Athletes are humans and not machines….