Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Education in Anambra says her ministry will intensify the supervision of schools to ensure they put the sports equipment given to them to proper use.
Chuma-Udeh said this at the pre competition festival for the 2025 Anambra Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI) competition for primary and secondary schools in Awka on Wednesday.
ANSSI, organised by the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) will kick off on March 19 at the community level through the Local Government, Senatorial Zones and State finals which will end on June 27.
The Commissioner described sports as being critical for complete education of the child as it kept the human system working.
She said sports equipment had been distributed to schools in the state for development of psychomotor domain of the child adding that there would be improved monitoring to ensure school as authorities put them to use
“I welcome you all to one of the most important initiatives of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, he is a man filled with a passion and burden of raining vibrant citizenry.
“If our children are not properly balanced, society will find it difficult to move on, I beg you to continue to support this initiative,” he said.
In his speech, Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of ASSDC said the competition involved primary, secondary, public and private schools in U-12, U-14, U-18 categories.
Onyedum who said no fewer that 50,000 students would participate in the sports festival noted that 11 sporting events would be competed for in male and female categories.
He said Anambra was now the cynosure of all eyes as athletes from state had performed creditably in national and international competitions
“Our ANSSI products are scattered all over the world including the United States of America, Europe and Asia. In Nigeria here, two of them are enjoying full scholarships in a sports academy in Abuja.
“Our records at the National Youth Games have continued to improve. As at the time ANSSI came on board, the medal haul of the State was not more than five gold medals.
“But as we are sitting here now, we have moved from seven gold in 2023 to nine gold medals in 2024 and to sustain the tempo, we have donated sports equipment to some schools to encourage them,” he said.
Onyedum appreciated partners of the Commission including Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Youth Wing and Ministry of Education for their support towards making ANSSI the hallmark incubation programme for talent discovery in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the 21 Local Government Area Chairman, Romanus Ibekwe assured that all the local government councils will participate.
Ibekwe said Anaocha was a sports living LGA area and would likely come tops
“I want to assure you that all the council chairmen will support the project and ensure it succeeds,” he said.
