Commissioner Enjoins Chairmen of Sports To Support Government Development Efforts


Cross River State Commissioner For Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya, has admonished chairmen of different sports to step up development efforts.

The Commissioner made this known while presenting athletes and contingents representing the state in the upcoming National Sports festival to the various chairmen in Calabar.

Speaking during the occasion, the Commissioner noted that sports activities and management cannot be left in the hands of government alone.

He said "in other climes, government's involvement in sports is reduced to just supervision while private sector and individuals do the major work to scout for talents and develop such talents. But, in Nigeria it is not the case and this has to change".
Continuing he said "for you chairmen, you have a huge role to play to market your various sports, scout talent in the nooks and cranny of Cross River and to support what government is already doing in the state. That is the only way we can produce world class talent, which will win laurels for our dear state and country at large".

The Commissioner advised that as the team prepares for the national sports festival in Edo state coming up on the 20th of March 2020, the chairmen should be in constant communication with the ministry to fashion out ways of encouraging the athletes to put in their best and come out victorious during the championships.

"Our Governor, Sir Ben Ayade is doing his best to support athletes going for the sports festival in Edo. But, I want to plead with all of you not to leave the task for him alone. Let it be a collective effort between government and all of you so that when our athletes make us proud we will all share in the glory," Aya said.

Speaking unbehalf of others, chairman of aquatic sports Cross River State and Permanent Secretary, Department of Special Services, Mr Alfred Mboto promised that he and his colleagues will do all they can to support the team to return victorious from the festival.

"We are quite impressed with what we have seen so far from our athletes. We are indeed confident they will return victorious from the national sports championships. On our part, we assure the state government that we will play our roles to ensure a successful outing for our athletes at the national sports festival," Mboto said.

Highlights of the occasion included a presentation of medals won by Rustum Francis Bernard, a son of Cross River, at the West African Karate championship in Bamako, Mali and an African Championship Medal from Tanjia Morocco..