The Deputy Speaker, State House of Assembly Mr. Austin Meregini has described grassroot sports as critical for community development.
Mr Meregini who stated this at the Kick of the 2023/2024 Afarata Unity Cup Competition at Amuzukwu Girl Secondary School Umuahia, being sponsored by the commissioner for Commerce Trade and investment Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu noted that such a competition helps in fostering peace among communities as well as identifying talents and commended Dr. Ukaegbu for his magnanimity in giving back to his community.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Obilor Ananaba described the competition as in line with the vision of the present administration in promoting grassroots sports to enhance sports development in the state.
The commissioner pointed out that the competition will go a long way in bringing communities in Afarata together, and commended the sponsor for the gesture, while disclosing that the governor’s interschool competition will soon commence in the state, as part of government efforts to identify talents.
Declaring the competition open, the sponsor and Commissioner for Commerce Trade and Investment, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu said he took up the sponsorship of the competition to foster peace and unity in communities in Afarata and expressed happiness that the objective of the competition is being achieved.
Dr Ukaegbu expressed optimism that more stars will be identified through the competition, assuring that he will continue sponsoring the tournament.
He noted that the competition is also in line with the commitment of the present government that is giving sports deserving attention for sports development of the state.
National Watch reports that the kickoff ceremony which saw Amaeke and Nkata slugging it out, attracted the presence of the member representing Umuahia Central state constituency, Hon Anthony Chinasa, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Easy of Doing Business, Dr. Lilian Ezenwa, the newly appointed Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government council, among others.
