Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu has said that an Executive Bill, “Enugu State Sports Development Fund Bill,” is now before Gov. Peter Mbah for his assent.
Ekweremadu disclosed this on Monday while speaking to newsmen in Enugu on the achievements of the ministry in the past one year.
He said that proper sports development required huge funding and infrastructure.
“One thing we realised is that you cannot talk about sports development without talking about infrastructure; without talking about access to finance.
“We realised also the impact of funding in all that we are doing and recognised that sports development is very capital intensive, he said.
The commissioner said it was in view of this that the government decided to seek out a sustainable formula for funding all their sports development agendas.
“We sought to seek for a sustainable means of funding for all our sports projects; so we put together an executive Bill, “Enugu State Sports Development fund,” he said.
Ekweremadu said that the Bill has been passed by the state house of assembly and awaiting the governor’s assent.
According to him, “Once signed we will have sports development fund in Enugu State.
“The idea is to create a platform for sustainable sports development in the state and to create a situation where NGO’s and private sector can trust the process because of its robust monitoring and evaluation process.”
The commissioner said that the present administration under the leadership of Dr Peter Mbah, had shown enough commitment and determination to the development of sports in the state.
According to him, before the present administration took over on May, 29 2023, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was under lockdown for two years due to the inability of the former government to complete the renovation work on the playing turf.
He said that based on the promise of the governor that Rangers would return to the stadium in November 2023, it was fulfilled as the club returned to the stadium.
“Based on the governor’s promise we went to work and did everything necessary and today everyone is happy.
“Since returning to the stadium they have not lost a game at home and are presently occupying the top of the NPFL log,” he said.
Ekweremadu also confirmed that Enugu State had formerly submitted bid for the hosting of the 2026 National Sports Festival after successfully hosting the National Council on Sports meeting.
He said that last year the state also organised School Sports meet with the aim of catching young talents for the state.
According to him the state also played host to several sporting events under the private sector partnership.
These he said, includes the first, biggest and most intense, terrifying and brutal Martial Arts Mega Cage Fight Championship, held in Enugu, the state capital on Easter Sunday 31st March 2024.
He said that the event witnessed international fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal and Congo, who came down to Enugu to fight for honours, in a Championship, sponsored by, I Tour Africa and Warrior Sports Championship in collaboration with Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Commissioner added that the state government through private sector partnership also organised Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Boxing Championship which drew boxers from across the state.
“And on May 4th, the state hosted the 1st Coal City half Marathon which was sponsored by the Zenith Bank.
“Over 200 athletes from across the 36 states of the Federation took part in the marathon,” he said.
Ekweremadu also said that all the achievements of the ministry so far were based on the campaign promises of gov. Peter Mbah.
