Abia state government has said that its sports development policy was aimed at keeping the youths in productive venture.
The state governor, Dr Alex Otti, stated this during the tie off of Abia Golf Classic Country Club tournament in Aba Sports Club Aba, Abia State.
Dr. Otti said that the only way to steer youth idle minds from infamous activities was to engage them in meaningful activities like sports.
The Governor represented by his deputy governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu,, assured the organisers of meaningful partnerships in having a golf course in
Umuahia stated that the state has both the personality, hospitality sector, and all it takes to host an international golf competition in the state capital.
While felicitating with the golfers that came for the competition, he extolled the game of golf and urged them to play safe.
In his address, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba said that sports competition was another way of empowering the youth and that sports competition remains a means of community engagement.
Mr Ananaba solicited their support to Gov. Otti’s administration in sports development for Abia to remain the hub of sporting activities and talents development.
Also speaking, the current President of Aba Sports Club 1926, Mr Chris Agbo, said that they came to show solidarity to the birth of the new golf club in Abia State and have offered them with necessary equipment and facilities that would draw peoples interest to be part of the programme.
The promoter of the club, Rev (Arch) Benson Ezem, said that the aim was to have an international golf course in Abia that would attract likes minds and bring development.
Rev Ezem said that there are other developments associated with golf course centres, which include; housing estate, children’s parks, and a five-star hotel, all estimated to create about ten thousand jobs in the state.
According to him, the Abia Golf Classic Country Club has been adjudged as the fastest growing golf course in West Africa and presently has more than 200 registered golfers, with awareness being created to attract more members.
He appealed to the government to provide them with lands to actualise the dream, which he described as a legacy project that would outlive the life of even the current promoters and members.
