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From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
The chairman, Abia State Gymnastics Association (AGA), Mr. Chidi Okpanku, has called on Governor Alex Otti, to as a matter of necessity, extend his transformational agenda to the sports sector, with a view to harnessing the abundant talents that abound in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
He also appealed for the empowerment of the state Sports Council, to enable it embark on talent hunt at the grassroots to fish out hidden athletes that have the potential to bring glory to the state at both national and international competitions.
In a statement, the AGA boss lamented that over the years, Abia has not been able to fully occupy it’s preeminent position in sports, due to the inability to leverage on the pool of talents in various sporting events, noting that the few that have through self efforts, found themselves out there, have been giving good accounts of themselves.
Mr. Okpanku recalled how two Abia born gymnasts, the duo of Chinille and Francisca Okpanku, aged between 9 and 13 years have since 2021, been making waves, winning laurels for Abia and Nigeria, at both national and international competitions.
He noted that the two young stars, after their exploits at the National Youth and Adult Sports Festivals, where they won medals to place Abia among the best participating States in Gymnastics, went ahead to represent the country in Dubai UAE in 2022, won Gold in South Africa and thereafter, were hosted by former Vice president Professor Yemi Osibanjo, on behalf of the federal government, on return.
“Abia is blessed with talented youths who should be encouraged. We are appealing to the government to put the required machinery on the ground, to Identify and support the abundant young talents to achieve their Olympic dreams, which will at the same time bring honour to Abia and Nigeria as a whole.”
