Ikenna Nwokedi
The PDP Flagbearer for Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chief Emeka Vincent Igwe has emphasized on the need for Government and public spirited individuals in the society to invest in sports as a tool for human capital development and human resource management.
Hon. Igwe made the remarks in a chat with sportswriters in the aftermath of the just concluded maiden edition of the Awka South Football League.
Hon. Igwe stated that the instrumentality of sports and recreation cannot be overemphasized as it is one of the strongest unifier of people from various tribes and ethnicity in the country.
“Nigerians are sports lovers, this has been demonstrated with football when our national teams such as Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 teams and Super Eagles are in action, you see that Nigerians from different tribes and orientations come together as one to support and cheer our national teams,” Igwe said.
According to him, its time for the government to show interest in a sector which is a multimillion naira industry. “Most government both at the state and federal level are yet to fully key into the sports sector which can serve as a form of income and generate revenue for the government with the right business plan and model”,
“Moreso, sports provides a platform to harness and unearth hidden talents in the hinterlands to showcase them to the world which is what human capital development is all about,” Igwe enthused.
The businessman turned politician opined that if he eventually gets into the Green Chambers, one of his key points in human capital development would be using the instrumentality of sports to create jobs and engage the teeming youths of his constituency.
He described the Awka South Football League initiative as novel as it has provided a platform to engage the youths in Awka and beyond as well as creating an avenue for them to showcase their talents with a view to becoming stars of the nearest future.
Hon Igwe who chaired the season finale of the Awka South Football League won by De Wilson FC of Okpuno said that as a sports afficionado, he will lend support to any creative idea through sports engagement.
He commended the board of the Awka South Local Football Council led by Comrade Chekwube Ofili and his team while also describing the emergence of Chikelue Iloenyosi, Chairman Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) as a square peg in a square hole.
