The Abia State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has presented awards of “Sports Ambassador 2020″ and “Exceptional Female Commentator of the Year 2020” respectively to Master Ugwunnaya Chiedozie Erondu and Miss Adaeze Michael.
Speaking at the event which was held at the indoor sports hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium on the theme “Catching Them Young”, the Commissioner for Sports, Chief Emeka Ikwuagwu, stated that the award which is in line with the vision of the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, was part of activities marking the Year 2020 International Youth Day along with a virtual conference with over Three Thousand (3,000) youths in the State in a program themed “The ‘Abia Youth and the Post-COVID Life’ .
Chief Ikwuagwu informed the public that the Abia youth & sports festival which was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic will soon take off as soon as the lockdown is eased on sporting activities in the State. He noted that the same competition has been concluded at the Local Government level.
The Commissioner further informed the youths and the physically challenged persons in the State of plans to hold multi-sports para games which is also in line with the Governor’s directives as plans for it has reached advanced stage. He also noted that the Handball Club of the state will soon bounce back to prominence as all necessary logistics has been put in place to ensure it takes off as soon as possible.
Chief Ikwuagwu further disclosed plans for the construction of standard stadiums in the three (3) Senatorial Zones of the State, plans which, according to him, are awaiting approval by the Governor.
He went ahead to state that the ministry will continue to fulfill its mandate towards youths in the state by promoting and awarding excellence among them.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties and father of one of the award recipients, Chief Erondu U. Erondu, thanked the Governor and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development for the giant strides achieved by the State so far in sports.
He disclosed that the 11 years old Master Ugwunnaya Erondu who is currently in primary 5 developed passion for football having been inspired by his elder brother, Master Chukwuebuka Erondu, who also has interest in the same field.
He encouraged the awardees to continue in their efforts to carve a niche for themselves in their chosen interest areas and passion as they make the State proud.
In a vote of thanks, the Abia Youths Sports Ambassador awardee, Master Ugwunnaya Erondu, thanked the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for his passion for sports which made the event a reality. He also thanked the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development for the honour conferred on them while promising to do their best in their chosen fields to continue to make the State proud..
Speaking to newsmen after receiving her award, Adaeze Michael who is a sports joirnalist working with Flo 94.9 FM radio station in Umuahia thanked Governor Ikpeazu and the Government of Abia State for the honor done to her and used the occasion to encourage young Abians to follow their passion wherever it leads. According to her, “it is my passion for football that has earned me this award which I believe is the first of many to come”
