The maiden edition of the Abia State Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games commences this Friday, 22nd March 2024 with an opening ceremony at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Analaba disclosed this during a press conference held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abia Sports Council. He said the event is in line with the vision of Governor Alex Otti to make Abia a sports destination.
Sir Analaba said that sensitization had already been carried to the various LGAs in the State even as the competitions had been concluded at the LGAs level. He further explained the essence of the schools sports.
“Sensitization tour we made through out the State has produced this unity games. School sports is very important because if you catch them young ,they will be the best they can. So, sensitizing the Local Government and having this first edition of the Governor’s Unity Cup is the way to go.
We will also do an exchange programme, where we will send our athletes to Europe six months or seven months for them to master what is going on. So we will engage them and make sure they are best at it. With His Excellency ‘s approval, we are moving forward.”
The Commissioner appreciated the support the Governor gives the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the last nine months in office, saying that good works have been done in Enyimba Football pitch. He added that with the Governor’s intervention, the ban on Abia Warriors had been lifted.
Contributing, the State Director of Sports, Mr. George Obioma revealed that the students would be competing in 24 different sports while medals would be won with materials that could help in academics.
He stated that already, the schools sports competition at the Local Government level has been concluded.
“It is worthy to note that the 17 Local Government of Abia State are coming to Umuahia on Friday . They all will be here untill 27th. This is the first of its kind since the creation of Abia State. We have never had a competition where the capital city of the State played host to the all the Local Government of the State.
So far, on the documentation, we have recorded 850 students already, other Local Governments are still documenting their students. These number came from the following Local Governments; Ikwuano, IsialaNgwa North, Obingwa, Ohafia, Ugwunagbo , Ukwa East , Ukwa West, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.”
Mr. Obioma thanked Governor Otti for his support to the Sports Council, particularly in providing necessary equipment for the sporting activities.
“I want to thank His Excellency and our able Commissioner for all that they are doing to see that sports is developed in this State which is the duty of Abia State Sports Council.
As we speak, Abia State has started bringing its sports equipment approved by our Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
As at today, a truck brought in a modern basketball equipment and they are expecting more equipment including weight-lifting equipment, parabatmeton equipment and others. So we say Bravo to His Excellency! Bravo to the new government in Abia!! Bravo to our able Commissioner for Sports!!! Bravo to the Ministry of Sports because they don’t sleep when we talk of sports development.”
The Commissioner and the State Director of Sports later conducted journalists to facilities for the competition and newly procured sports equipment.