Anambra Sports Commission set to reposition sports associations
By Chimezie Anaso
The Anambra Sports Commission is set to unveil sports associations for sports development in the state, its Chairman Patrick-Estate Onyedum says.
Onyedum said this during a familiarisation visit to his office by Tony Nezianya, the newly elected Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in Awka.
According to Onyedum, the Commission has taken inventory of the performance and contributions of the previous boards, whose tenures have elapsed.
“We have identified that this will be the way to begin our quest for sports development from the grassroots.
“There is no doubt that a few made sterling contributions for which we are indeed happy but a number of them are moribund.
“We shall seek the approval of the government to reactivate the associations by formally dissolving the previous boards,” Onyedum said.
He said the idea was to use the association to discover the numerous talents that abound in the state which must be made clear to the chairman of their executive committee members.
“We shall certainly have some goals in mind in reconstituting the boards. We shall allow new associations and new sports to be grown in our state.
“They must hold regular meetings and competitions by raising funds from the private sector in support of their sport that will invariably be supported by the government. Government cannot develop sports on its own”.
Onyedum, who served the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, said he hoped to allow relatively new federations to be established in the state.
“We shall allow them so long as it will facilitate the human development index of the state as well as our quest for medals and honours to the state from local and international competitions.
“We do not have all the resources we require to develop our sports and infrastructure. We shall encourage those that will attract the development of infrastructure to support the growth and development of sports in Anambra.
Earlier, Nezianya requested Onyedum to allow federations like the Nigeria Triathlon Federation to start an affiliate Association in the state.
Triathlon, an Olympic sport, comprises three-in-one sports including Cycling, distance running and swimming, where an athlete can win an Olympic Gold by amassing points.
“There are some others that may wish to make similar requests. Let us welcome them. They may be the ones that can secure the state the honours they have been looking for,” he said.
Nezianya had served twice in two Olympiads from 2001 to 2005 and 2005 to 2009. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu
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