Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti is hosting the Nigerian National Volleyball Federation Division One and Two Championship phase two taking place in Umuahia, the state capital.
Speaking to journalists on the competition, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba said Governor Otti remains resolute in making the state a sports destination.
He said that since the inception of Governor Otti’s administration, many sports federations have identified with Abia State with various sports events.
“Abia will be number destination in terms of sports in the near future. In terms of sports tourism, business of sports and we are working towards it. As you can see, everybody wants to come to Abia state.
“Almost all the states now want to come to Abia state for us to host one event or the other. And since His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti assumed office, he has been doing fantastic things in all the sectors including the sports sector.
“We are excited to welcome the whole nation for the Volleyball Championship Division One and Two,” he stated.
He said Abia is prepared for the competition, disclosing that Governor Otti has approved the renovation of the indoor hall of the stadium which is now up to international standard.
He added that the athletes are ready to participate and expressed the hope that Team Abia would do well in the competition.
The Commissioner urged the athletes to work hard assuring that the Governor is willing to reward any athlete that performs excellently.
Also, the State Director of Sports , Comrade Obioma George disclosed that the competition commenced today, 10th October with arrival of athletes and would last through 20th October.
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He revealed that 19 states were expected to be in Abia for the competition.
“You know before now things were topsy-turvy in the state sports council Abia, but the coming of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR has sincerely turned things around in the sports sector in the State.
“So far in Abia state, the state is waxing strong starting from when the state organised the secondary school games which was just like a foundation.
“The Governor is interested, the Commissioner is interested in developing sports. ” Comrade George maintained.
In his contribution, an international volleyball referee and 1st Vice of Chairman of the Nigerian Volleyball Association, Muhammed Muhammed, while assuring of fair officiating in the competition commended Governor Alex Otti for his interest in sports development in Nigeria.
“It is not every state or every Governor that has that interest but from what we have seen, the state has sponsored many competitions.
“Even last two months , the state sponsored the South-South /South East Volleyball Championship,” Muhammed stated.