Games
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, May 3, 2018 (NAN) Ten institutions in Ebonyi are to compete in the inaugural Gov. David Umahi Tertiary Institutions Games (DUMTIGA) meant to discover talents in them.
Mr Charles Akpuenika, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abakaliki during the draws for the competition.
The Games which will hold from May 11 to 19, in designated centres in Abakaliki.
Akpuenika listed the institutions to include Ebonyi State University Abakaliki (EBSU), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Adufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI), Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo and Pacific Catering School, Abakaliki.
“The School of Health Technology, Ezzamgbo, College of Health, Mgbo, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Mater Misericordae School of Nursing, Afikpo and Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, will also compete in the competition.
“The institutions will compete in football (male and female), volleyball (male and female) Taekwondo, Table Tennis and Athletics.
“The competition’s main venue is Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki, while other selected venues across the state capital have been designated to host events of the competition,’’ he said.
The commissioner noted that the competition was aimed at discovering budding talents in the participating institutions to generally develop sports in the state.
“Talents discovered during the competition will be harnessed and blended to form the bedrock of the new state teams in football and other sports.
“The governor has revitalised sports which his administration met in its doldrums and approved the organisation of various sports competitions to actively engage the youth.
“It is the government’s desire to channel the energies of youths into meaningful ventures such as sports to make them self-reliant and dissuade them from crime among other vices,’’ he said.
He called for the collaboration of the private sector to develop sports in the state and in complementing the government’s efforts of making the sector lucrative.
“The burden of nurturing talented youths is enormous as sports is a capital intensive venture that should not be left for the government alone.
“The press should also assist the government in achieving its sports development policies by adequately highlighting its programmes and policies,’’ he said.
The commissioner noted that other competitions such as the Akanu Ibiam Football Super Cup, School Sports, Market Associations Games, Inter-ministerial Games and the Governor’s Cup among others would also be competed for in 2018.
Mr Desmond Ome, Secretary to the state Football Association (FA), who conducted the football event draws, said that the groupings would be adopted for the male and female categories.
“The teams were drawn in two groups and they would compete in a round robin format to produce semi-finals for the third place and final matches,’’ he said.
Mrs Roseline Aloh, Director of Sports in the Ebonyi State College of Agriculture, Ikwo, said the institution was ready for the Games and would sweep all available medals and prizes.
“We have prepared adequately for the competition and urge the organisers to ensure that mercenaries are not engaged by participating institutions,’’ she said. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)