Foreign investors to pick talents from Abia grassroots sports – Gov Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has said his administration has set up mechanisms to revive inter-house sports and other sports competitions in the state to harness the potential of Abia youths

Governor Otti who stated this at Umuahia township stadium on Friday while declaring open the maiden edition of the Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games, directed all principals of secondary schools in the state to regularize inter-house sports in schools and informed the audience that the State Ministry of Youths and Sports is working with its Ministry of Education counterpart to restore Physical and Health Education in the state.

Otti pointed out that sports, henceforth, would be run as a professional venture in the state, saying that foreign investors and local investors have already been in talks with him on how to develop and harness the potential of young sportsmen and women, adding that Nsulu Games Village in Isiala Ngwa North is being reactivated.

“What we have started with these games is a signal to what we want to do for the entire sports ecosystem in the state. We have recently put together a comprehensive grassroots sports development that would involve infrastructure, training and exposure of talented athletes to life-changing opportunities and platforms”

He disclosed that the pilot phase of his sports programme will involve the building of model sports centres in communities and urban neighbourhoods, where kids and teenagers with talents and interest in pursuing careers in sports would be taught the ropes, by accomplished professionals

In his speech, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Nwaobilor Analaba thanked the Governor for procuring different sports equipment, reviving grassroots games and for his efforts in lifting the ban placed on Umuahia township stadium, by the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL.

Also, Abia State Director of Sports, Mr. Obioma George said a total of 1,840 students are competing in 24 games.