Emeka Enechi
19 May 2008
Lagos — The Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Social Development Honourable Paul Chikezie Mba has predicted a return to the golden era of sports in the state.
Mba who spoke to our correspondent shortly after Enyimba's qualification for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League competition in Tunis penultimate week, said there was no better time than now for the state to reclaim her rightful position in the scheme of things in Nigerian sports.
He cited some achievements the state recorded within the first year of governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji's administration predicting a bright future for the state should her athletes remain focused and determined to post more achievements. He sounded a note of warning to other states who are gearing up for the festival saying Abia would not be in Kaduna for a tea party or to organize picnics at the popular serene Kaduna dam.
He predicted the contingent would be in Kaduna to contest for all available medals to improve on her standing on the festival table.
His words "I don't want to be like the proverbial Agama Lizard that fell from the tree and was not applauded for a job well done, beat its chest in self congratulation. We have done well in the last one year. We have been able to reposition some of our sporting associations and I can assure the people of the state that the future is bright for sports in the state. We now have a brand new handball team which won some championships recently, Enyimba also picked a ticket as one of the last eight teams that will feature in the lucrative CAF Champions League competition, we have also done well with our swimmers and they are getting better everyday. We are equally grooming a football team for the Sports Festival." Baring his mind on the forth coming National Sports Festival scheduled for Kaduna later in November, the sports commissioner said it would offer Abia state contingent the opportunity to prove themselves.
Though, he acknowledged the efforts of former sports commissioners in the state, he, however, lamented the performance of past contingents whom he said was not good enough for a state that produces over 40 per cent athletes in the national teams. "My target is to perform better than the past teams to the festival. I know it is possible and achievable. I have no doubts in my mind that Abia will give other teams a fight for their money and medals. I know the governor and people of the state are eager to see a brand new Abia contingent. We hope to present the team to them at the festival in Kaduna this year. We have the potentials but, it calls for sacrifice from everyone. You know that nothing good comes easy. We have to work hard."
Mba's projections and plans for the festival and Enyimba, no doubt, will interest Governor Orji and Abia people, but the commissioner said funds and lack of quality facilities pose serious threat to his dreams.
His words "Dreams come true you know but I have serious impediments that are capable of thwarting the team's effort. The biggest set back we are facing today are lack of funds and lack of quality playing facilities. I can assure you that once these issues are sorted out, we will settle down and focus on our dreams of turning things around during the games."
He therefore appealed to Corporate Organisations and well meaning citizens of the state to massively support sports development in the state which he said would produce thousands of millionaires in the future.
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