By Uzor Odigbo and Maxwell Kumoye
The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, is elated with the Sports Development Project of the Abia State Government, South-East of Nigeria.
Dikko made this known after a very positive and fruitful discussion with the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Oti in Umuahia, the State capital.
The Abia State Sports Project is aimed at harnessing the potentials of sports economy in the State, the South-East region, and Nigeria as well as the continent.
The thrust of the discussions centered around the overall development of sports in Abia State and grassroots engagements.
Other issues discussed was the State’s preparations to host the 1st Abia International Para Badminton Championship scheduled for 30th September to 5th October 2025 and the 2025 All African Para Badminton Championship schedule for 6th to 12th October 2025.
The Proposed development of a Stadium City including a word-class Olympic Standard Stadium capable of hosting international Games was also x-rayed.
The relocation of Nsulu Games village and the proposed development of a brand new world-class Abia Games Village to provide the requisite infrastructure base facilities to assist in the training and development of athletes in Abia State.
Proposed development of a Special Sports Economic Zone in Aba, the major commercial hub of the State, envisaged to be a hub for sports goods, apparel and equipment manufacturing to serve the Nigerian and West African market and thus assist in reducing the over reliance on imported sports wears and equipment while advancing the development of local content.
Restructuring of the Abia State Ministry of Sports into Abia State Sports Commission to ensure the professionalization of sports administration in the State and proper alignment with the Federal Government.
The NSC boss said, “Indeed, I am very excited that Governor Alex Oti has firmly key in and aligned with making sports, one of the key drivers of the economy in addition to its social impact in line to the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economic framework.
To this end, Governor Oti is taking several intentional and deliberate steps as well as setting the necessary foundation for sustainable sports development and activation of the sports economy in the State.”
Governor Oti sought the institutional support and professional advice of the NSC and Federal Government towards the delivery of these laudable projects.
PROJECT SUMMARY
★ Development of a Stadium City
★ A brand new world-class Abia Games Village
★ Special Sports Economic Zone in Aba, the major commercial hub of the State
★ Restructuring of the Abia State Ministry of Sports
★ Professionalization of Sports Administration in the State
IMMEDIATE TASK
✓ Hosting of the 1st Abia International Para Badminton Championship
✓ Staging of the 2025 All African Para Badminton Championship
