The State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Chidi Onyia, disclosed this during a familiarisation visit by the executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, to his office in Abakaliki.
According to Onyia, the approval underscores Governor Nwifuru's determination to revive sports in Ebonyi, especially in the wake of the remarkable achievement of Ebonyi-born athlete, Gabriel Ogazi, who recently won gold in the men's 400 metres and is currently ranked number one globally in the event.
The commissioner also announced that Governor Nwifuru has approved the payment of stipends to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Ebonyi State, ending over a decade without such support.
He charged Abakaliki FC to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and urged sports journalists to continue promoting sports through professional, balanced and objective reporting while supporting the discovery and development of grassroots talents.
Earlier, the Chairman of SWAN, Ebonyi State Chapter, Ndubuisi Nwogha, congratulated Onyia on his appointment and assured him of the association's continued support in promoting sports development across the state.
Nwogha also commended Governor Nwifuru for implementing youth- and sports-driven policies, which he said have contributed significantly to reducing crime.
He appealed to the state government to support the association with mobility and other operational logistics to enhance its activities and effectiveness.
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