By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
Investment in sports has been described as the foundation for building a brighter future for children.
The State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, made the assertion during the closing ceremony of the Under-12 Sports Competition held at the Awka City Stadium, Awka, Anambra State.
The event, organised by ASUBEB in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Abuja featured participants from six educational Zones of the State, including: Aguata, Awka, Ogidi, Nnewi, Onitsha and Otuocaha Zones.
Addressing the participants, GovernorSoludo stated that education cannot be complete without sports, describing sports as an avenue for discovering talents.
The Governor, represented by the Chairman, Anambra State Sports Commission, Mr. Patrick Onyedum noted that his payment of the State’s counterpart funds for 2019, 2020, and 2021 UBE Grant made the hosting of the sports competition, possible.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Ifeoma Agbaizu appreciated Governor Soludo for paying the counterpart grant that made the hosting of the event possible and reminded the athletes to see the event as an opportunity for them to exhibit their innate talents imploring them to be diligent.
Delivering her address of welcome, the Executive Chairman, ASUBEB, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi revealed that organizing the ASUBEB 2024 Sports Competition will qualify the Anambra State team to participate in the forthcoming National Competition coming up on 6th November, 2024.
According to Dr. Nwadinobi, sports play a crucial role in shaping an all round student who would develop intellectually, emotionally, socially education, health and physically.
“We therefore gather to promote physical education, health and wellness among the pupils,” she said.
The ASUBEB Boss urged the athletes to exhibit teamwork, discipline and fair play in the competition, adding that winning is not everything but participation, sportsmanship and having fun.
At the end of the competition, Otuocaha Zone took the 1st position in the football category of Under-12 Sports Competition, Onitsha Zone came 2nd while Awka Zone came 3rd, as the presentation of medals and trophies to the winning teams as well as cultural dance added colour to the occasion.
In attendance were the Board Secretary, Lady Loveline Mgbemena, ASUBEB Permanent Board Members including Board Member One, Lady Ify Anatune; the Director, Quality Assurance, Lady Stella Ezepue; the Director Academic Service, ASUBEB, Mrs Christiana Chukwuma; the Director, Legal Unit, Barr. Eucharia Onuoha; the Director Admin. Mrs Florence Chinweze; and the Public Relations Officer, Lady Chinenye Anyakorah among other stakeholders.
