Ebonyi Sports Commissioner pledges to organise successful school sports competition

The Ebonyi state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon Charlse Akpuenika has said that the state would organise a successful school sports competition scheduled to commence from May 11.

 Akpuenika made the disclosure in an interview in Abakaliki 

Akpuenika said that the competition tagged, ‘Governor David Umahi Annual School Sports competition would commence with the local government areas elimination series from May. 11.

“The competition is being organised in conjunction with the state Ministry of Education and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Investment. 

"It would be organised at two centres in each of the 13 local government areas of the state with participating schools competing in various sports.

“We have concluded arrangement with sports coordinators of the councils and directed schools which have not concluded their inter-house sports series to do so.

“This would enable them select their best athletes for equitable representation at the competition.

He disclosed that public and private primary schools across the state are eligible to participate in the competition as well as secondary schools in such categories.

 

“The primary schools would compete in football, athletics: sack races, 100mtres, 200m and relay races including long and high jump events.

“The school secondary category would compete in football, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, table tennis, chess, wrestling, scrabble, badminton and athletics.

Akpuenika said that on completion of the local government elimination series, the zonal series would commence on May 17 while the state finals would commence on May 31.

“We hope to use the competition to re-invigorate sports activities in the state after the COVID 19 lull and discover talents who would represent the state in major competitions.

He said that adequate security arrangements have been made to protect athletes, officials and spectators at all the centres in the wake of prevailing security situation in the state and south east zone.

“We would collaborate with relevant security agencies and the leadership of the various councils to ensure that athletes compete in a peaceful atmosphere.