Enugu LG chairman vows to revive grassroots sports, to encourage athletes

By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The new  Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Eric Odo, has vowed to revive grassroots sports and encourage local athletes to excel and grow to international stardom.

Odo made the pledge on Wednesday after being briefed by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sports Development in the council, Mr Uche Ozoemena, at the council’s secretariat, Ogbede.

The briefing was on the council’s plans to revive sports as well as arrangements to host the forthcoming Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament and Marathon Walk as part of activities for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The chairman directed the SSA to take charge of the forthcoming Christmas sporting activities within the council area.

He stressed the importance of sports in bringing individuals and communities together, adding: “Sports is a unifying factor”.

According to him, the football tournament will enable participating teams to showcase their skills, which will encourage interested young ones among them to pursue career in it.

“The Chairman’s Cup Football Tournament is part of the broader efforts to foster unity, encourage teamwork as well as celebrate this year’s Christmas in a unique way.

“The winner of the tournament will go home with N1 million, the first runner-up will win N500,000; while the second runner-up will get N300,000.

“The football tournament will be played at the government field and the participating teams will be drawn from the 20 wards that make up Igbo-Etiti LGA.

Odo said that his administration would continue to prioritise and promote youth development through sports.

Earlier,  Ozoemena, who doubles as the organiser of the tournaments, expressed his excitement about the initiative, saying the events would be well-coordinated.

He expressed optimism that both the tournament and the marathon walk would attract a large number of participants, spectators and sports enthusiasts.