Monday February 17, 2025 | TheNewsDESK
The Imo state Commissioner of Sports, Hon Obinna Onyeocha says the state’s athletes are battle ready for the forthcoming Niger Delta Games in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state in April and the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta, Ogun state in May 2025.
In a chat with Blueprint sport in his office, Hon Obinna who spoke in unison with his Special Adviser, Hon G.O.C. Nwadike said all plans had been put in place in making sure that the state’s athletes put up stellar performances in the two inter-state events.
According to the Commissioner, “After having a meeting of the 9 core Niger Delta states’ sports commissioners in Akwa Ibom on the organization and modalities for the games, we were asked to go home and inaugurate state committees that will liaise with the Main Organising Committee for the games. The committee is expected to map out strategies for the games.
“I, inaugurated it a few days ago and members have been meeting . The committee is expected to take care of issues like planning, accommodation, scouting and other logistics for the games and get the state’s athletes ready before the games in Uyo.
“The state hopes to take part in 16 sporting events with about 400 athletes and the governor has pledged his commitment to support and encourage our athletes for a sterling performance in the games,” he said.
“Before then, our athletes were preparing for the National Sports Festival and we are sure we have the athletes that will do the state proud in the two events,’ he stated with optimism
On availability of sports facilities, Hon Onyeocha said that the state’s athletes had enough sporting facilities to train on, even though no state could boast of having them all. He added that some private sporting facilities in the state would also be used to train the athletes.
Speaking on honouring athletes who did the state proud in the previous events, he said that the sports loving governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma had done a lot in revitalizing sports in the state and would not hesitate in getting that done. He made it clear that sports in the state was in a comatose state before the governor came and revived it due to his high interest in the development of sports and as a result, people had picked interest in sports again, leading to asking questions.
Also commenting on the not-too-impressive performance of the state’s female football side, Heartland Queens FC in the on going Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) campaign,the commissioner said that recently some major players went on transfer and that some young players were brought in to continue from where they stopped last season, adding that they would not do magic but would take a little time for the new players to blend and start posting some sterling performances in the competition.
He therefore, urged football fans to remain patient with the team and assured that they would pick up in no distant time. He also said that the governor had been interested in the team which was why he gifted them a brand new coaster bus and that as Commissioner, he always catered for their welfare.
On the call by some fans for the sack of the coach, Obi Ogbala, the Commissioner said it was unnecessary as the coach was doing a good job to nurture the young team to stardom, adding that the call stemmed from the interests from different individuals.
“In a situation like this, it’s not a new thing. It happens at the national level too. While some people are calling for his sack, others want him to stay, saying he’s doing a good job. Why would you ask for the sack of the coach because the players are not doing well? Of course, we know that some interests have come and we will not fall for such call, including those who blackmail the Ministry, claiming that a lot of money has been given”.
