Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has stressed the importance of private sector financing in the development of Sports in the state.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports development, Lloyd Ekweremmadu said this on Thursday while inaugurating the Board of Enugu State Swimming Association (ENSSA) in Enugu.
Ekweremmadu described the formation of the association, the first in the state, as a welcome development and a step in the right direction.
He said that sports development was very dear to Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration as a way of encouraging the youth population to engage themselves in meaningful living.
He, however, urged the new association and other boards under the ministry to canvass for private sector financing using the ministry’s apparatus.
“I want to urge all associations in the ministry to be proactive, especially in the area of private sector funding
“We want them to go out and canvass for funding while we provide necessary support because sports is a big time business and requires huge funding,” he said.
The commissioner said that the ministry would like to build on success the state recorded in the last Paralympics for more successes.
He urged the swimming board to go all out to fish out young swimming talents in all the nooks and crannies of the state to make Enugu State the number one swimming state in Nigeria within the shortest time possible.
In his post inauguration speech, Chairman of the board, Madus Mathaias thanked the commissioner for giving them the opportunity to service the state.
He said that the association would strategies on how to use swimming as a viable source of revenue generation in the state.
“It is a privilege and on behalf of my members, I promise that we will not let the state down.
“We promise to work relentlessly to see swimming bring laurels to Enugu State,” he said.
