By: Uduak Nseabasi
To consolidate on the gains of its 5 point Agenda of sustainable development, the Government of Akwa Ibom State has taken a major leap to revive school sports, develop sports infrastructure in schools, discover and nurture talents for National and International appreciation and marketing. At the end, the State is sure and would be better positioned to dominate the global sports arena, and literally export sports men and women for career enhancement and economic self sufficiency.
Speaking at an occasion recently where the Governor commissioned the ultra modern Sports Arcade developed at West Itam in ITU Local Government Area, Sir Monday Uko, a focused administrator and Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports noted that Sports Development generally is at the forefront of the Governor's cardinal plans. Specifically, he reasoned that the Governor had expressly directed that the revival of school sports be made a priority program of his 8 year tenure. To the Commissioner, 'during the inaugural Executive Council Retreat of his administration hosted in Lagos, the Governor expressly directed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports should include school sports as a priority project, and generate a 'Marshal Plan' for all round Development of sport infrastructure in schools and regular organization of school sports meet to discover and harness talents at their early ages'. That timeous directive, the Commissioner revealed, 'informed the decision of Government to develop World Class Sport Centers in the ten federal constituencies of the State'. At that occasion, Governor UDOM Emmanuel placed on record, the commitment of his administration to turn around the fortunes of sports in the State. He promised not to undermine the issue of welfare of sports people, especially athletes. Soon after, he has followed up with the engagement of competent administrators and promoters to run sports in the State. The results are already yielding bountiful benefits: renewed vigour of State teams and harmonious working relationship in the Sports sector.
Now, to cap up its legacy of sports sports excellence, the Governor has set machineries in motion to stage the Grand State Finals of its maiden Youth Sports Festival slated for March 15 through 19. Organized through a partnership with the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State Chapter and the Ministry of Education, the State Youth Sports Festival is featuring competition in both Primary and Secondary Schools cadre. Some of the sports in competition are Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Wrestling and Athletics. Others include; Judo, Karate, Swimming, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Taekwondo, Scrabble and Chess. As we speak, the Local Government qualifiers are at various stages of conclusion across the 31 Local Government Area's.
To underscore the importance it attaches to the Games, the State Government has extracted meaningful cooperation from the Local Government Chairmen, the State Secondary Education Board, State Universal Basic Education Board and the State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN). Another team of technocrats and administrators has been empanelled with a charge to deliver a world class Sports Meet. It is wonderful, and sparks of seriousness to have men like Mr. Paul Bassey, who has become a phenomenon in African Sports Development of the Mobil Track/Field Events fame, Mr. Emmanuel Ibah, Chairman of the State Football Association and Coach Aniedi Dickson, State Permanent Secretary of Sports and a host of others working harmoniously under the results oriented direction of the Honorable Commissioner himself, Sir Monday Uko to set the State on the world map.
Besides the psychological gains of mental refreshment, opportunity for healthy rivalry, confidence building and talent explosion, analyst's familiar with the 'School sports to stardom' stories of Usain Bolt, Venus Williams, Blessing Okagbere, Mary Onyali, Emmanuel Egbenike, Vincent Enyeama and Kelechi Iheanacho amongst many others are quick to point to the future of Akwa Ibom State as a global market for sports talent export. Dan Ekwere, Jnr. of Lead Business Group would rather ask rhetorically, "what would you expect when a passionate State Administrator like Governor UDOM Emmanuel would engage a man like Sir Monday Uko to steer the ship of Sports? We saw this coming, we knew the future, and can only be proud to be part of this legacy. With the Sports Festival fully operational, the State is sure to reclaim its rightful place as the center of sports excellence. The Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports must be commended for midwiving the process. It's high time we focus on school and grassroots sports Development as a country. UDOM Emmanuel has done it again".
Now that the State Government has taken a major leap, it beehoves on the Organised Private Sector to key in and expand the focus of the Games, work out a template for its sustainability and leverage its overall impact in other sectors of the economy. Indeed, Governor UDOM Emmanuel is working to make the State a major hub for global sporting activities.
Nseabasi, a social entrepreneur wrote in from Lagos. Feedback: pansafnigeria@gmail.com
To consolidate on the gains of its 5 point Agenda of sustainable development, the Government of Akwa Ibom State has taken a major leap to revive school sports, develop sports infrastructure in schools, discover and nurture talents for National and International appreciation and marketing. At the end, the State is sure and would be better positioned to dominate the global sports arena, and literally export sports men and women for career enhancement and economic self sufficiency.
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However innovative this feat may appear, to those who know Governor UDOM Emmanuel and can genuinely testify to the studiousness with which he is driving the State's economy towards rejuvenation and diversification, it is not surprising. Since assuming power in May of 2015, His Excellency, Governor UDOM Gabriel Emmanuel has deployed responsibility, discipline and prudence in allocating the Commonwealth and resources of Akwa Ibom State. He has reconfigured the State's economic machinery with promises for industrial development, agriculture revolution, youth employment and social development programs. Thus, with less than two years in the saddle, it's obvious that only few Governor's can match UDOM'S impact.
Speaking at an occasion recently where the Governor commissioned the ultra modern Sports Arcade developed at West Itam in ITU Local Government Area, Sir Monday Uko, a focused administrator and Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports noted that Sports Development generally is at the forefront of the Governor's cardinal plans. Specifically, he reasoned that the Governor had expressly directed that the revival of school sports be made a priority program of his 8 year tenure. To the Commissioner, 'during the inaugural Executive Council Retreat of his administration hosted in Lagos, the Governor expressly directed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports should include school sports as a priority project, and generate a 'Marshal Plan' for all round Development of sport infrastructure in schools and regular organization of school sports meet to discover and harness talents at their early ages'. That timeous directive, the Commissioner revealed, 'informed the decision of Government to develop World Class Sport Centers in the ten federal constituencies of the State'. At that occasion, Governor UDOM Emmanuel placed on record, the commitment of his administration to turn around the fortunes of sports in the State. He promised not to undermine the issue of welfare of sports people, especially athletes. Soon after, he has followed up with the engagement of competent administrators and promoters to run sports in the State. The results are already yielding bountiful benefits: renewed vigour of State teams and harmonious working relationship in the Sports sector.
Now, to cap up its legacy of sports sports excellence, the Governor has set machineries in motion to stage the Grand State Finals of its maiden Youth Sports Festival slated for March 15 through 19. Organized through a partnership with the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State Chapter and the Ministry of Education, the State Youth Sports Festival is featuring competition in both Primary and Secondary Schools cadre. Some of the sports in competition are Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Wrestling and Athletics. Others include; Judo, Karate, Swimming, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Taekwondo, Scrabble and Chess. As we speak, the Local Government qualifiers are at various stages of conclusion across the 31 Local Government Area's.
To underscore the importance it attaches to the Games, the State Government has extracted meaningful cooperation from the Local Government Chairmen, the State Secondary Education Board, State Universal Basic Education Board and the State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN). Another team of technocrats and administrators has been empanelled with a charge to deliver a world class Sports Meet. It is wonderful, and sparks of seriousness to have men like Mr. Paul Bassey, who has become a phenomenon in African Sports Development of the Mobil Track/Field Events fame, Mr. Emmanuel Ibah, Chairman of the State Football Association and Coach Aniedi Dickson, State Permanent Secretary of Sports and a host of others working harmoniously under the results oriented direction of the Honorable Commissioner himself, Sir Monday Uko to set the State on the world map.
Besides the psychological gains of mental refreshment, opportunity for healthy rivalry, confidence building and talent explosion, analyst's familiar with the 'School sports to stardom' stories of Usain Bolt, Venus Williams, Blessing Okagbere, Mary Onyali, Emmanuel Egbenike, Vincent Enyeama and Kelechi Iheanacho amongst many others are quick to point to the future of Akwa Ibom State as a global market for sports talent export. Dan Ekwere, Jnr. of Lead Business Group would rather ask rhetorically, "what would you expect when a passionate State Administrator like Governor UDOM Emmanuel would engage a man like Sir Monday Uko to steer the ship of Sports? We saw this coming, we knew the future, and can only be proud to be part of this legacy. With the Sports Festival fully operational, the State is sure to reclaim its rightful place as the center of sports excellence. The Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports must be commended for midwiving the process. It's high time we focus on school and grassroots sports Development as a country. UDOM Emmanuel has done it again".
Now that the State Government has taken a major leap, it beehoves on the Organised Private Sector to key in and expand the focus of the Games, work out a template for its sustainability and leverage its overall impact in other sectors of the economy. Indeed, Governor UDOM Emmanuel is working to make the State a major hub for global sporting activities.
Nseabasi, a social entrepreneur wrote in from Lagos. Feedback: pansafnigeria@gmail.com
YOUTH SPORTS FESTIVAL: UDOM'S MAJOR LEAP!
Reviewed by getitrightnigerians
on
12:29:00
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Reviewed by getitrightnigerians
on
12:29:00
Rating:
A welcome development.
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