An ex international, Coach Innocent Iheme has doled out cash rewards to the victorious Abia athletes who won medals and were recently hosted by Governor Alex Otti.
Coach Iheme , who was hosting the medalists at the Umuahia Township Stadium saluted the sports development under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti.
While calling on all to join hands with Governor Otti to develop sports in Abia, Coach Iheme urged his ex international colleagues to join hands to develop talents in the state.
He stressed that if the talents are not harnessed Abia would be losing potential athletes to other states.
“If you see any talent that is not being taken care of, they will just take over the talent. And if they keep doing that, Abia State will be will be losing.
“Due to the support of Dr. Alex Otti even when he has not become the Governor, he was supporting CLIMM Foundation.” Coach Iheme stated.
The ex international used the opportunity to hand over the new athletics camp which he built and donated to the Abia State Sports Council and maintained that he built the camp to encourage the upcoming athletes in the state. He also appreciated the efforts of the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George in reviving the Sports Council.
Speaking, the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George commended Governor Alex Otti for his unwavering support towards the development of sports in Abia.
He said all that the Governor has done in sports development has attracted ex athletes to support sports in the State.
Comrade Obioma George thanked Coach Iheme for not only giving the athletes money but also promised to place some of them on monthly allowance as well as building a camp room for athletes. He described what Coach Iheme has done as laying of strong foundation in sports development and urged other ex internationals to emulate Coach Iheme in supporting government to develop sports as government alone cannot do it.
“The presence of our Governor and what the Commissioner (for Sports) is doing in the state has attracted some of our old athletes like Coach Innocent Iheme.” George stated.
“It takes a huge amount to develop sports and government cannot do it alone. “I pray that his colleagues who are all overseas should please come home, Abia is moving forward.” Comrade George stated.
The event featured cutting of anniversary cake of one year in office of Comrade Obioma George among others while the Director of Sports reeled out his achievements within one year in office which has put Abia Sports Council on high pedestral .
