Otti Says Abia Is Deliberate About Using Sports To Unite People, Develop Economy

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has declared that his administration is serious about using sports to connect the people and grow the state’s economy.

Governor Otti made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Sports Nigeria, a private-sector initiative aimed at bringing the government and the business sector together to harness talent and develop sports infrastructure in Nigeria.

“We are very deliberate about using sports to unite our people who could support our economy and also to do a few other things that we have mentioned here,” the Governor stated.

He stated that Abia State is endowed with tremendous abilities and promised to support any initiative aimed at harnessing them for the development and growth of the state’s sports industry.

The State Chief Executive Officer revealed that the Nsulu Games Village in Isiala Ngwa North has already been designated as an entertainment and games village.

Dr. Otti went on to say that the state already has a quality production brand that would be given greater attention in terms of manufacturing. He told the team that the details of its presentation would be investigated and areas of interest for collaboration found, and he commended the delegation for its commitment in sports development in the state.

Earlier, while making a presentation to the Governor on a document titled, “Abia State Sports Infrastructure Investment – A Value Proposition”, the Chief Executive Officer, Sports Nigeria and Chairperson, Nigerian Football League, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, said her organisation specialises on facilitating cross sectional alliances to build sports.

She sought the commitment of Abia State Government in providing necessary support for the development of the framework, strategy policy and implementation plans critical to sports infrastructural development, disclosing that Abia stands to benefit bountifully through community empowerment, job creation and economic growth, social cohesion and health wellness.

According to her, everything that is needed for sports development is supposed to be done at the State level  and stressed the need for Abia to leverage sports to boost development.