Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
At least 24 different sporting events including football, and volleyball will be competed for as Abia’s first edition of All Schools Games open Friday, March 22, at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Director of Sports, Abia State, Comrade Obioma George, who disclosed this Tuesday at a press briefing, said all was set for the competition aimed at reviving sports and fishing out of young talents.
He said over 850 secondary schools both public and private, from across the state would be participating in the week-long event.
The Director of Sports said the participating schools had already qualified in their various Local Government Areas.
Comrade George who disclosed that the Sports Council had received truck load of various sporting equipment courtesy of the State Government, said sports would regain its prime position in the state.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Sports, Sir Obilor Ananaba, said soil test for the site of Abia’s proposed 35,000 FIFA-approved stadium had commenced.
According to him, three different locations have been proposed for the project although he refused to disclose the locations.
He said that Gov Alex Otti, in his bid to develop sports, had resolved to build a befitting stadium in the state according to FIFA standard.
The Commissioner said Nigeria lacked FIFA-approved stadia.
He said Otti was determined to put Abia on the map of states with standard stadia.
He said when the project was fully realised, Abia clubs would stop going to Akwa Ibom for international encounters.
On why the state decided to resurrect all school games in the state, the Commissioner said it was aimed at discovering young talents for grooming and development.
The Commissioner who described sports as a very lucrative career, said Otti’s administration was determined to assist Abians talented in different sporting events to fully sctualise their potentials.
“Our aim is to revive school games in the state to enable us identify our children who manifest excellence, so we can catch them young.”
He said that plans were under way to build a sports college in the state where students would go for six-month exchange programme in Europe.
The Commissioner said soccer scouts from Europe would be in the state to hunt for young talents.
He commended Gov. Otti for his massive support for sports development especially for upgrading sports facilities in the state.
