By Ikenna Nwokedi
Princess Alban Sports and Youth Development Academy (PASYDA) has empowered over 50 youths of Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra state with sporting gadgets and equipment.
The equipments given to the young sports enthusiasts below the age of 18 include, tennis rackets, table tennis rackets, balls, pumping machines, tennis shoes, grips, strings and sports kits.
The colourful event which is the brainchild of Princess Alban Ugonwaezeh-Agugo, founder of PASYDA, took place on Saturday, 24th December 2022 at the Ifunanya Recreation centre Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha LGA of the state.
In her address, the convener, Amb. Ugonwaezeh-Agugo stated that PASYDA is a transformational social entrepreneurship organization that is centred on youth career development though sports.
She opined that PASYDA which is just six months old was birthed out of quest for continuous growth in sports and goal actualization with the objective of hunting for raw talents from schools and communities to harness and help the youths to get to their potentials especially in sports.
“PASYDA is poised towards using the instrumentality of sports to help the youths to cultivate some transcendental values such as discipline, tenacity of will, team spirit and fraternity”,
“Our organization is interested in career development of youths under the age of 18 by cultivating culture of assisting them via getting sporting equipment and gadgets while also enhancing their competence by teaching the basic rules and ethos as well as global best practices for such sporting events”,
“This is something I have passion for and by God’s grace I have done this for more than 18 years. My advise to parents is for them to channel the attention of their kids towards sports by supporting and encouraging their children with emotional, nutritional and financial support,” she said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ike Okwesili said that engagement in sporting activities are very important for the growth of any human being as it helps in both physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Chief Okwesili opined that some of the richest people in the globe today are those active in sports professional wise. He thanked Amb. Ugonwaezeh-Agugo for the initiative and will towards the programme.
On his part, the Chairman Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC), Patrick Estate Onyedum eulogized Amb. Ugonwaezeh-Agugo for the initiative as the next generation of world renowned sports men and women have been birthed through the programme. Onyedum expressed his delight that the programme touches the grassroots and youths below the age of 18.
The sports commission boss disclosed that scouting of young talented sports men and women is a major part of his blueprint especially for sports development come 2023.
He emphasized that government cannot do it all as public spirited individuals with interest in sports development should join hands in the noble task of empowering our youths through sports.
One of the recipients, 14-year-old Pascal Madukaife of Christ the King College Onitsha, who got a brand new tennis racket said the sporting equipment will help him in actualization of his dreams of becoming the state and national champion for tennis event.
He prayed God for upliftment and growth of the sponsor in all her endeavours.
Another recipient, 10-year-old Zikora Mildred Agugo of Our Lady’s Secondary School Nnobi, said she is happy to be among the beneficiaries who got a new racket as the sporting equipment will help her to play more games and become better in her sporting activities.
Tennis entertainment and exhibition, finals of the table tennis event as well as Ufie dance competition and Egedege dance display formed the highpoints of the occasion.
Also present during the occasion is the Transition Committee Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Area, Hon. Ike Gerald Ozoh; Honourable Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Hon. Dr. Afam Ben Obidike; ASSDC Director of Sports, Madam Faith Okwonna; President Generals and the good people from communities in Anaocha LGA.
