By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, June 23, 2026
The Abia Government has charged sports associations in the state to intensify efforts towards grassroots sports development, talent identification, athlete nurturing and sustainable growth of sports.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba, gave the charge on Tuesday in Umuahia, during an executive meeting with chairmen and secretaries of sports associations.
Ananaba said that the essence of the meeting was to review progress made in sports development, address existing challenges and chart a course for future growth in the sector.
According to him, youth and human capital development remained key pillars of the vision of Gov. Alex Otti’s administration, with sports serving as a major platform for achieving those objectives.
He said that the ministry had over the years adopted a deliberate and strategic approach to sports development by introducing young people to various sporting activities and creating opportunities for talent discovery and growth.
“Sports development is not achieved overnight, it requires consistent effort, innovation and the gradual building of structures that can support sustainable growth.
“Our objective is to discover talent early, nurture it properly and provide pathways for our young people to excel and contribute positively to society,” he said.
The commissioner said that government support had enabled the ministry to sponsor sporting activities, support athletes’ participation in competitions, strengthen grassroots programmes and create platforms for talent identification.
He said that the ministry expected each sports association to present a roadmap for the development of its sport, covering grassroots engagement, athlete development, partnerships and competitive success.
Ananaba identified key focus areas to include grassroots sports development and talent identification, training of athletes, coaches and officials, participation in competitions, and partnerships with schools, communities and private organisations.
He also expressed the need for sponsorship, branding and fundraising initiatives, adding that sports development was capital-intensive and could not be funded solely by government.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with all associations to promote excellence, accountability and sustainable growth in the sector.
In an address, the Director of Sports, Mr Obioma George, urged sports associations to align with government’s vision and provide clear development plans capable of advancing sports in the state.
George said that the State Government had made significant investments in sports development, resulting in increased sporting activities and improved performance across different disciplines.
“If we all sincerely join hands together, Abia will become an enviable state in sports development in Nigeria,” he said.
He called on association chairmen and secretaries to intensify efforts at identifying and developing hidden talents across the state.
George commended association chairmen for accepting the responsibility of leading their various sports and contributing to the State Government’s sports development agenda.
He, however, urged sports secretaries to improve their performance and comply promptly with directives from the ministry, particularly in the area of athlete data documentation and reporting.
He said that only 20 sports associations had complied with the directive to submit records of identified talents and their progress reports.
George also disclosed that a Diploma in Sports Administration programme had commenced at Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, describing it as the first of its kind in Abia and the South-East region.
He said that the initiative was designed to encourage athletes and sports administrators to acquire professional qualifications, while pursuing their sporting careers.
He further said that plans were underway to introduce a coaching course in the institution to strengthen professional capacity in sports administration and coaching.
George urged sports administrators, coaches and other stakeholders to take advantage of the programmes to improve their competence and contribute meaningfully to sports development in the state.
In a remark, the Chairman, Abia Badminton Association, Mr Abel Sunday, said that the association would focus on strengthening its administrative and governance structures to ensure transparency, accountability and effective programme implementation.
Sunday said that priority areas included grassroots talent development, expansion of para-badminton programmes, training of coaches and technical officials, hosting of more international competitions and establishment of a badminton and para-badminton development hub in the state.
He said the association targets at least 5,000 active badminton players, 500 para-badminton athletes, 135 coaches and officials, and functional development hubs across the state by 2030.
The Chairman, Abia Tennis Association, Chief Samson Anaga, pledged the association’s commitment to developing tennis talents capable of bringing honour to the state at national and international levels.
Anaga commended the support of the ministry, adding that the association had already outlined programmes aimed at advancing tennis in the state.
He disclosed that plans were underway to host a south-east tennis tournament and assured stakeholders of the association’s readiness to contribute to sports development in the state.
Also, the Chairman, Abia Para Powerlifting Association, Mr Mba Uduma, said that the sport had continued to bring laurels to the state and remained one of Abia’s strongest sporting disciplines.
Uduma, represented by Mr John Nwosu, revealed that two athletes from the state were currently in the national camp preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, while preparations were also ongoing for an Open Championship scheduled for August.
He assured the government of the association’s commitment to sustaining its success through partnerships and continued athlete development.
The Chairman, Abia Basketball Association, Mr Ifeanyi Okoro, unveiled a roadmap aimed at repositioning basketball and establishing the state as a leading basketball destination in the country.
Okoro said that the plan focused on grassroot talents development, basketball camps, coaching clinics, year-round competitions and infrastructure development.
He disclosed that the association would organise quarterly development camps in the state’s three senatorial zones and introduce different competitions, including state leagues, school championships and age-grade tournaments.
He said the association was also promoting three-on-three basketball, pursuing strategic partnerships and completing a hostel facility for athletes at the Umuahia Township Stadium to enhance player development.
