Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Special Adviser to the Governor on School Sports, Aribitonye Okiri says the State Government is committed to the development of sports at the grassroots in the state.
Aribitonye Okiri during a media parley with sports journalists in Port Harcourt said they would work with the Ministry of Education and local government councils in developing sports at the primary and secondary schools in the state.
He said the government will not only give attention to football but other sports in general.
Aribitonye Okiri also said they would soon come out with a timetable for competitions for primary and secondary schools.
“I want us to collectively build a framework including the UBE so that we can to help to serve as a buffer for Real Madrid Academy and other feeder teams. Our interest will not only be for football, but we also have to diversify sports, inclusive of combat sports. We’ll try but it’s going to be a little rigorous.
“When you consider the financial challenges in the economy, so it means that we need to look for sponsors, we need the private sector, we need to tell people to invest in sports”.
Aribitonye Okiri noted that they would unveil a timetable for a sports calendar within the first quarter of 2020.
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He noted that the timetable would enable them to plan ahead of the Children Day Celebration on May 27.
The Special Adviser on Schools Sports during the media parley said May 27 would climax the sporting events put in place by the state government.
He also, solicit for the support of sports journalists in the state to create awareness for the different sporting activities being lined-up by the government for primary and secondary schools.
Aribitonye Okiri said sports journalists have a lot to do in publicizing their activities.
He also added appeal for Nigerians always give back to their alma mater by supporting them during Inter-House Sports Competitions.
The Special Adviser said that many athletes that won international laurels for Nigeria was discovered during such sporting events.
