From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
This year’s South East basketball tournament has started in Umuahia, Abia State with the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba declaring the competition open.
Ananaba, speaking at the indoor sports hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium, said the present administration is intentional in its catch them young drive in sports.
“The intention of Governor Alex Otti is to catch them young, develop them to enable them become professionals and capable representatives of Abia state both at the national and international levels.”
He stated this was the first time Abia state is hosting the South East basketball tournament, adding that it is an indication of what Governor Otti is doing in sports.
Ananaba, who thanked the Governor for his unwavering support to sports development in Abia, appreciated the federal government for its efforts too and further explained the gains of the competition.
“It’s about developing basket ball from the grassroot. It’s about revitalizing sports in Abia state. It’s about making Abia state, sports destination in future. So, this is the build up.
“This is not the only competition we are doing. We want to start from here, make sure that things are happening in Abia state in terms of sports . We also make sure that we train these athletes to make sure that when they go to represent Abia state they will bring laurels and also bring money because sports now is business.”
In the opening game, Abia Stars Basketball beat the Anambra Stars Basketball by 50/16 points.
