ABIA: Governor Otti Challenges Students To Show Talents As Secondary School Unity Games Kick Off In Umuahia

The first edition of Governor Alex Otti’s Secondary School Unity Games kicked off at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Tuesday in grand style, with the Governor declaring it open by lighting the Unity Torch.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, Governor Otti challenged students from the 17 Local Government Areas to embrace the opportunity to showcase their God-given talents, not only for their schools and state, but also for the nation as a whole. He pointed to successful Abia-born athletes on the national and international stages as role models, and urged the students to shun unproductive activities and embrace the value of discipline and hard work.

“In sports,” the Deputy Governor emphasized, “there is ability in disability.” He encouraged teachers to play their part in nurturing young talent, while assuring everyone that youth development in sporting activities would remain a top priority for the Otti administration.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Sports Development, remarked that such a tournament hadn’t been held in the state for a long time. He commended Governor Otti for his commitment to excellence not only in infrastructure, but also in sports, and called on everyone to support his developmental agenda.

The Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, delivered a welcome address titled “The First Edition of Governor Alex Otti’s Secondary School Unity Games: The Road to Revitalization of Sports at the Grassroot Level in Abia State.” He lamented the neglected state of grassroot sports before his appointment and outlined his efforts to revive school sports, including a sensitization tour across all 17 Local Government Areas, which culminated in the Governor Alex Otti Secondary Schools Sports Torch Run Ceremony.

Sir Ananaba emphasized the importance of establishing a strong foundation for talent identification and development at the grassroot level, noting the growing prominence of sports as a lucrative business venture. He appealed for everyone’s support in making the tournament a success.

The Acting Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, expressed his gratitude to Governor Otti for his unwavering support of sports in Abia State. He highlighted the Governor’s sponsorship of athletes at national and international competitions, including the Para Athletes who recently claimed second place in Abuja, a remarkable achievement for a Southeastern state. Comrade Obioma further requested for government support in providing employment opportunities for these athletes and equipping the Sports Council with vehicles, and expressed his hope for the introduction of even more sports disciplines in the state.

The Governor Alex Otti’s Secondary School Unity Games mark a new dawn for sports development in Abia State. This initiative promises to not only nurture young talent and foster healthy competition, but also contribute to the economic well-being of the state and its athletes