Gov. Ikpeazu kicks off Abia state school sports festival 2020 in Grand style
By Kachy Madukaego
Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu on Friday 28th February flagged off Abia State School sports festival and Okezie Ikpeazu Table tennis championship cup at Amaukwa community school in Obingwa local government area.
The programme which was packaged by Abia state ministry of youth and sports development in collaboration with the ministry of education witnessed the presence of all the political bigwigs in state and beyond who came to grace the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ikpeazu noted that the only way to identify and promote sports in the society is to begin from grassroots development hence the essence of the festival which he said was aimed at re-writing the narrative and ensuring that pupils and students begin to learn different sporting activities from the cradle .
He also said that Abia was formerly known for it giant strides in various Sporting activities but have gradually receded to soccer alone adding that the school sports festival will reinvigorate grassroot sports development, discover budding talents among youths, creation of wealth and as well restore the lost glory of Abia state in sporting activities.
Mr Ademola Aare who represented the minister of sports at the event , in his speech commended Abia state government and the sports ministry for according great importance to grassroot sports development stressing that is the best way to enhance sports awareness among students as it will help expose their talents and encourage them for greatness.
Earlier in his address, the commissioner of youth and sports development Hon. Emeka Ikwuagwu said the event was organized in line with the Governor’s directive to encourage grassroot sports in the state adding that 800 public and private schools both primary and secondary are participating in the 18 sporting activities which will last for three weeks.
According to him ,This festival will serve as a grassroot talents hunt where the likes of Kanu Nwankwo, Mary Onyeali, and Samuel chukwueze will be discovered and transformer into mega stars and it will be held annually.
High point of the event includes lighting of Abia unity torch, Unveiling the logo of the festival and a table tennis dual between the Governor and transition Chairman of Obingwa local government.
