National Sports Festival: Dilichikwu Charges FCT Sport Associations

National Sports Festival: Dilichikwu Charges FCT Sport Associations Nelly Ro In a ceremony which witnessed enthusiasm amongst sports Personalities, participants, stakeholders, Administrators at Federation levels, Media and guests of FCT residence posts of Chairman, 1st and 2nd Vice Chairman, Media officers and others were sworn into office as board members. In a media chat, the FCTA sports Director Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma is optimistic of the Territory determination and zeal to host and win the December National Sports Festival 19th edition as she has proactively scheduled a meeting with the new board in a couple of days where she intends to bring to table her passions, plans and drive thus far in the territory “I will give them my experiences and also let them know inaugurating them today is a call to serve to do more than corporate bodies. Our children are already in the training camps, what we do in sports is to make sure our youths are not ideal and getting into vices” She assured the collections of caliber of individuals from the FCT at the Inauguration will be put to bear to develop grass root sports in Abuja. The Board members, who received the oath of office by Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo reacted saying their utmost desire is imbibing team work with other members of their Associations to pull talents to grow sports in FCT. The chairman of Gymnastics Association Barr. Ifeanyi Sam Udeh, says his delighted emerging winner at the elections with a majority vote against his opponent Andrew Lucky Elewure; stating the confidence vested on him by other members of the board will be duly represented in his service by running an open leadership “Gymnastics is the foundation of all other sports, if you’re not a good Gymnast you cannot play football well and any other sport. So we intend to develop it being that without it, it will be difficult to move other sports forward”. His 1st vice Chairman Hon. Pam Ibrahim identified talent hunt as the bedrock of Gymnastics “am returning to this Association taking into cognizance the experience I have had as the immediate past chairman, I can assure you we will do everything possible to ensure the talents we have in the Association the likes of Munachim Obiefuna; to give them exposure, moral, spiritual and technical support for them to go to higher heights”. Recreational parks and garden in FCT will now be put to better use as Golf Course and play ground especially the abandoned site to make accessibility of the game possible and closer to the residents of the city. Ahead of preparations and activities to host and emerge victorious at the up-coming National Sports Festival, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello has sanctioned the Inauguration of the Sports Associations in FCT with a mandate to administer, organize and coordinate competitive and recreational sports for the good of the territory as would create joy and enthusiasm amongst the people of Abuja. The Golf Association where Agbor Clinton Ayuk of Aso Radio and Abuja Broadcast Corporation emerged 2nd vice chairman, will be witnessing a new turn around from what has been obtainable. Ayuk says the many parks and recreations in Abuja will be used and converted to Golf course to be spread around the 6 Area councils of FCT “Golf is a house hold name, many believe that Golf is meant for only the rich. Golf makes people rich so it’s not a game that people should stay away from, people should embrace the game. We will introduce it secondary schools because it good to catch them young. In the past, the FCT has not been represented in major Golf Tournament so now we are on board, we intend to see this change” Delivering his Inaugural address, the Permanent secretary of FCTA Sports Department Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa reiterated the imminent benefits of sports as a Panacea for arresting youth restiveness and promoting National Unity “as you all are aware, besides the National Youth Service Corps in the capital city, sports is another dynamic instrument because it provides a complex hall for leadership training and for building the total person, men and women who are healthy in body and soul”. He called on the new board to rise to putting Abuja on the global map of sports tourism. In his welcome address, the Ag. Secretary Social Development Secretariat Mallam Bashir Muhammed spoke on the mission for the invitation and gathering as one to meet the sporting needs of the inhabitants of the territory irrespective of differences. Prince Ifeanyi Anthony Eke and Barr. Fatima Abba is set to develop an up to date coaching crew and encourage the youth to develop a part with Gymnastic before engaging in other sports in an awareness campaign. Dignitaries at the ceremony include; Commodore James Aliyu, Brig. Gen. Maikano, Air Commodore Dola (rtd) Sir Obinna Onuoha, Alh. Mohammed Abdullahi.