Governor Udom Emmanuel is investing maximally in sports development as a veritable channel for empowerment and job creation for the teeming youths of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Udoh made this known recently at a one day seminar organized by the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, as part of activities to mark the 2017 SWAN Games Week, held at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo.
Charles Udoh listed the landmarks of Governor Emmanuel towards empowering youths through sports to include; the on-going construction of 10 modern Sports Centres in the state, to aid produce world stars that can compete favourably with its counterparts anywhere in the world; hosting of the first Akwa Ibom State Youth Sports Festival and turning Akwa Ibom into the Football capital of Nigeria through the hosting of the Super Eagles which became the first African Team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup, with a mach still to play.
Other achievements of the Governor in Sports are: leading Akwa United to win Nigeria FA Cup twice in 3 years; Team Akwa Ibom finishing 2nd on the medals table at the 2017 National Sports FESTIVAL as well as emergence of Ibom Angels as Runners- Up in the 2017 Nigeria Female FA Cup, a feat recorded as the first time, a female team from the state ever qualified for the finals of a major national competition.
In his words "Government is spending so much money on Sports because he wants to alleviate poverty, create jobs and wealth for youths in the state and beyond. Every weekend that sport is being played in the state, a lot of hotel rooms are filled, now that is job and wealth creation".
Udoh implored Sport journalists in the State to project the socio-economic potentials that abound in the Sports sector in the State, emphasizing that as sport journalists, they have a role to play in promoting the sporting endowments in the state by seeing beyond the ordinary to the value chain in sports development in the state.
The Information Boss who spoke on the topic: Communicating the Akwa Ibom Sport Development Brand, appealed to the Sports writers to attract tourists and investors to the massive opportunities available in the sector through their reportage.
Reminding the sports writers that, Kenya and Ethopia are producing world beaters in Sports, Charles Udoh said, Akwa Ibom State can do same, with the right passion, commitment and hardwork, adding that their contribution through positive sports reportage will be of added advantage.
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