From Mfon Ekefre, Uyo
Ahead of the first Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival, the State Ministry of Youth and Sports has assembled 7,000 youths from primary and secondary schools drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state for the competition.
The week-long festival is expected to kick-off on Wednesday March, 22 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium otherwise known as “Nest of Champions”
In a press conference to create public awareness through the mass media, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Monday Ebong Uko said the event was jointly planned by three Ministries including Youth and Sports, Education, Information, Office of the Governor on Sports matters and Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON).
He expressed commendation for the state governor who shared the vision of the stakeholders an accepted to host the event, despite the prevailing economic situation.
“The Sports-loving governor, realizing the importance of the event, quickly endorsed the approval and gave the green light,” the commissioner said.
He said the governor with the same passion for grassroots sports, approved the establishment of 10 mini-stadia in the 10 federal constituencies in the state. The pilot one has been completed and put to use at West Itam Secondary School in Itu Local Government.
In January this year, Akwa Ibom benefitted from the sport’s equipment distribution by the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) to selected primary and secondary schools in the state.
“The overall objective of the festival is to scout for hidden talents that abound in the state at this tender age, groom them later, preparatory to representing the state at national and international competition,” the commissioner said.
He said a lot of talents abound in the state and this is the only platform they could be identified and helped to grow.
The commissioner said draws for all the competing events will be done at the Civil Service auditorium, one of the biggest event centres in the state.
He said his ministry in collaboration with ALGON will ensure the mobilization of the athletes to the venue.
The commissioner said the committee meeting with ALGON was to ensure that the event, though in examination period will not affect the participating students.
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