The Member Representing Umuahia Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and Co-Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Anthony Chinasa
has disclosed that the state legislature is working on a Sports Endowment Fund Bill aimed at strengthening sports financing in the State.
Hon. Chinasa, who made the disclosure on Wednesday, during an interview with newsmen in Umuahia said the proposed legislation had already passed through public hearing and was understanding processes for it’s final passage and assent by Governor Alex Otti.
The lawmaker revealed that the proposed Sports Endowment Fund Bill which is aimed at attracting private sector participation in sports development would create avenues for sponsorships, donations and external support for sports development in the state.
“That bill will encourage us to have sports funding from outside, from sponsors, individuals who want to support what His Excellency, Dr Otti, is doing in sports in Abia State.
“So, I think there is a bill ongoing and that bill has gone on public hearing. We are still waiting to pass the bill into law when His Excellency will assent it”, he said.
Speaking on sports infrastructure, Hon Chinasa said the legislature have continued to support the executive through consistent budget approvals to support ongoing sports development projects.
The lawmaker also disclosed that the subvention to the club had risen significantly under the current administration and attributed the growing transformation in the sector to the governor’s commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.
According to him, the governor recognises sports as a strategic tool for engaging young people and creating opportunities for economic and social advancement.
“The scripture says that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice. That simply means why the new dimension or new phase has taken place in sports in Abia State is because the man who is the Governor of Abia State.
“Dr Alex Otti, is a man who believes in youth empowerment and future of the youths and sports is one of the major tools to encourage the youth and that is the reason why he has picked interest in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development”, Hon Chinasa stated.
The lawmaker credited the state government’s interventions for the Abia Warrior’s historic Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualification for continental football competition for the first time in its history.
Hon Chinasa said that the improved fortunes of the club under the present administration reflects the government’s deliberate support for football and other sporting activities in the state.
“Last season, was the first time Abia Warriors has made it to the Continental stage and our target is for Abia Warriors to get to the Champions League”, he added.
The lawmaker also expressed optimism that Abia Comets would rebound from its current struggles, insisting that setbacks in sports should be viewed as opportunities for restructuring and improvement.
He confirmed that the Umuahia Township Stadium was currently undergoing total reconstruction and added that the state government is also planning a world-class international stadium in Umuahia which would be capable of hosting CAF matches.
Hon Chinasa said discussions on the proposed international stadium project, were still at the documentation and planning stage, noting that both government and private investors might participate in financing the project.
He said Governor Otti’s administration had restored investor confidence in Abia State through improved security and economic reforms adding that Abia is at that high level of patronage in terms of investment.
“One thing this government has done for Abians is that this government has placed Abia on Olympian heights where every investor sees Abia as the first place of investment before any other state in the country.
“Before now, most investors didn’t want to come to Abia State because the essence of investment is for you to earn. You cannot earn where there is insecurity and poor patronage.
“But as of today, Abia is at that high level of patronage. So people are coming to invest”, the lawmaker stated.
