The Chairman Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Hon. Patrick-Estate Onyedum has hailed Governor Chukwuma Soludo for bankrolling and supporting the growth of sports in the state.
Onyedum gave the commendation during the opening day of the athletics event in the ongoing 2024 Anambra State Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI) in Awka.
The Sports Commission boss revealed that an impressive number of 786 schools showed interest in participating in the second edition of the ANSSI.
Onyedum told journalists that athletes who emerge winners at the second ANSSI will represent Anambra at the forthcoming 2024 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta state.
He said the commission has set up a road map in ensuring the state surpasses her previous records at the National Youth Games.
“The Anambra State Sports Solution Initiative is an initiative of Governor Charles Soludo to ensure the sports return to schools. The athletics, ayo, basketball, chess, scrabble, Taekwondo and Tennis events have commenced and the students are excited to be participating in the ANSSI.
“The ANSSi have lived up to expectations because in the first edition, we recorded about 600 schools but during the time of unveiling the second edition, we have recorded a total number of 786 schools. In the athletics event, over 3,500 pupils have registered for the track and field events; the pavilion is filled to the brim and the intention of the Governor is to see the youth meaningfully engaged”.
“During the 2023 National Youth Games, our ideals were to test run the athletes discovered at the first edition of the ANSSI and I can tell you that they lived up to expectation.
“The athletes were all identified from the ANSSI, do not forget that Anambra athletes were showcased as the youngest. We are talking about improving and I can tell you that we are going to surpass our previous records”, Onyedum added.
