Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has inaugurated the Abia State Sports Associations Board, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to repositioning sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment and sustainable development.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Indoor Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium, was performed on behalf of the Governor by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, who described the event as a significant step toward revitalising sports in the state.
Comrade Obioma George
Emetu said the new board marks the beginning of a renewed effort to harness sports as a tool for discipline, unity, and excellence among young people. He congratulated the appointees, noting that their selection reflects both their competence and a call to serve.
“Sports remains one of the most powerful tools to engage, inspire, and uplift our youth,” he said, adding that Abia is richly endowed with talents in football, athletics, combat sports, and indoor games. He stressed the need for structured support, strategic investment, and effective administration to unlock this potential.
The Governor charged the board to provide strong leadership, ensure transparency, and create opportunities for athletes to excel at national and international levels. He reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in sports infrastructure, strengthening grassroots programmes, and fostering partnerships to expand opportunities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, described the inauguration as the beginning of a new phase in the state’s sports development. He noted that sports development is capital-intensive and called for increased collaboration between government and private stakeholders.
Ananaba urged the non-salaried board members to leverage their networks to attract sponsorships, organise grassroots competitions, and develop sustainable funding models.
“Be catalysts, not spectators,” he said, encouraging the associations to embrace innovation, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Benand Ezeama, commended the state government’s strides in sports development, describing Abia as a hub for athletic talent in Nigeria. He praised the synergy within the state’s leadership, noting that it serves as a model for others.
The Director of Sports, Abia State Sports Council, Mr. Obioma George, highlighted recent achievements, including the appointment of several Abia coaches to national teams, and urged the board to intensify grassroots talent discovery.
Speaking on behalf of the associations, the Chairman of the Abia State Athletics Association, Mr. Victor Okoror, commended Governor Otti’s leadership and pledged support for the administration’s vision. He said efforts would be made to unite current and former athletes to strengthen the state’s athletics programme.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association, Chief Sampson Anaga, assured that the board would work to attract sporting events, boost economic activities, and deliver on its mandate.
The event attracted key stakeholders and sports enthusiasts, underscoring renewed momentum to position sports as a vehicle for youth engagement, economic growth, and social cohesion in Abia State.
