The 8th Edition of Anambra State Sports Festival commenced today. This is the first version of the state-wide sports competition under the new administration of Willie Obiano. #TeamObiano
Gov Obiano during the kick off ceremony at Rojenny International Stadium, Oba declared a new era for sports development in the State.
Read the Governor's Speech...
THE OPENING ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA
STATE, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO AT THE 8TH EDITION OF THE ANAMBRA STATE
FESTIVAL AT ROJENNY SPORTS STADIUM, OBA ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014.
Protocols
It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to the 8th edition
of the Anambra State Sports festival. This is the first Sports Festival under
my watch. It is therefore the first step in the bold efforts of my
administration to begin a revolution in sports in Anambra State.
Ndi Anambra, as we are gathered here today, we are standing
in the shadows of Nigeria’s heroes and legends. This is because, from time
immemorial, our beloved state has made a big mark in the field of sports. Most
of the people who pioneered sporting excellence in the history of Nigeria are
indigenes of Anambra State.
The great Zik of Africa and Owelle of Onitsha, Right Hon Dr.
Nnamdi Azikiwe was a great sports man. He was a good boxer, swimmer, footballer
and football administrator in his time. In his time, Zik aspired to represent
Nigeria as an individual athlete at the British Empire Games in London as far
back as 1939. Though he was denied entry into the games by the colonial
political establishment, Zik never allowed that denial to discourage him from
becoming a keen sportsman all through his life, bringing the spirit of
sportsmanship to bear on his brand of politics to the benefit of the country.
Many other Ndi Anambra have followed Zik’s steps to
distinguish themselves in the field of sports. Emmanuel Ifeajuna pioneered
sporting excellence for Nigeria in 1954 when he won the Gold Medal in High Jump
at the Commonwealth Games. Since then, other Anambra athletes have followed in
his footsteps to achieve great records in different sporting activities. We all
remember our own Innocent Egbunike, Silver-winning Olympic medalist, Mary
Onyali Omagbemi, Rufina Umeh, Obinna Metu, Emmanuel Okala, Sylvanus Okpala,
Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Ifeoma Nwoye, Amaka Ogoegbunam and many others who
have successfully placed Anambra State in the sporting map of the world.
Ndi Anambra, the strategic approach of my administration to
sports development in Anambra State focuses on three areas – the discovering
and nurturing of talents and the development of sporting infrastructure across
the state. The third component is the reward for outstanding achievements and
the welfare of coaches. We shall restructure our policies to encourage more
sporting competitions that will serve as talent hunts. We shall also remodel
existing facilities in the three senatorial zones to meet the dynamics of the
times. We shall acknowledge and reward high performing athletes and coaches.
When we do our work very well in these three areas, Anambra State shall return
to its glorious days as the reference point in sporting excellence in Nigeria.
This Sports Festival offers us a great opportunity to begin
the journey of returning Anambra State to reckoning in Nigerian sports. We
shall build on the foundation laid by our great sports ambassadors and discover
young talents that will win more laurels for our dear state and the country as
a whole. I have no doubt that the youngsters that will emerge winners in
different categories in this festival will evolve into great athletes that will
make Anambra State proud.
Interestingly, this Festival serves the important purpose of
discovering and preparing a team of talented youngsters that will represent
Anambra State in the National Sports Festival that will take place in Calabar,
Cross River State. I am optimistic that with our efforts here, the team that
will represent our dear state will restore sporting glory to Anambra State.
I wish to thank the Hon Commissioner for Youth and Sports,
Chief Tony Nnachetta and all the coaches who prepared the participating teams
and individual athletes for this festival.
As you use this festival to prepare to represent Anambra
State in the coming National Sports Festival in Calabar, I urge you to always
remember that you are from Anambra State. I urge you to remember the shining
light you bear as Ndi Anambra.
On this note, I hereby declare the 8th Edition of the
Anambra State Sports Festival open!
God Bless Anambra State
God bless Nigeria
Thank you
Chief Willie Obiano
Governor Anambra State
www…Willie is working
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