South East governors not paying attention to sports – NSC

The National Sports Commission has called on all tiers of government, especially those in the South East, to start taking issues relating to sports very seriously.
The NSC said apart from serving as a unifying factor, sports would also assist in checking crime wave in the society.
The Zonal Coordinator in charge of South East Zone 1, Enugu, of the NSC, Stanley Okebugwu, stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, during the second edition of the Coal City Kids “Road Race.”
Okegugwu said engaging the youths in sporting activities would keep them busy, as well as remove their minds from all forms of unholy acts.
The NSC Zonal Coodinator, however, regretted that most of the South East governors have not been paying serious attention to the sports sector, a development he described as “quite unfortunate.”
He said the non-challant attitude of governments of the region has been responsible for the dismal performances of states from the zone in the nation’s National sports festivals and other major tournaments.
Okebugwu explained that the race, which is specifically designed for children between nine and 15 years of age, was conducted in line with International Amateur Athletics Federation and Association of International Marathon and Distance Races guidelines.
He said it was put together by the commission in conjunction with an Enugu-based outfit, G.T Ventures, and sponsored by Lagos-based Golden Penny company.
The zonal coordinator said the exercise, which commenced at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, at about 8am and ended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, has exposed the children to some sporting facilities at the stadium as well as develop in them the spirit of sportsmanship, just as he told sports writers that the Commission had during the event identified some young future potential athletes.
According to him: “We just decided to use the children programme to end our sporting year in the zone for 2012, while we plan for that of next year, God willing, because the awareness has been created.
The South East Area Sales Manager of Golden Penny, Evarestus Obeta, said the company decided to partner with NSC on the programme as part of its corporate socio responsibility, especially as a company that deals in vitality products, which promotes human health.
It is recalled that the first edition of the children’s sporting event was held December 18, 2011 and attracted over 1,000 kids, just as this year’s edition attracted similar number.