Determined to change the fortune of sports in Cross River, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr Ekanem Ekpenyong, have met with chairmen of sports associations in the state to chart a way forward for the advancement of the sector.
Speaking during an interactive session with the stakeholders at the U.J Esuene Stadium Calabar, the Honourable Commissioner said that the Senator Prince Bassey Otu-led administration is passionate about sports development, having identified it as potent tool for fostering unity and social cohesion.
Hon. Atsu declared that in line with the People First mantra of the current administration, sports development in Cross River would be comprehensive and inclusive, stating that all hands must be on deck to deliver on the mandate bestowed upon the ministry.
She reiterated government\’s readiness to put in place appropriate policies and frameworks that would stimulate the growth and development of sports, adding that the ministry\’s door is always open to workable partnerships and collaborations that would uplift the sector and make Cross River regain its pride of place in the sporting world.
While maintaining that sports development should however not be left in the hands of government alone, the Commissioner said the focus should be on grooming talents rather than buying athletes who would represent the state in national and international competitions.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr Ekanem Ekpenyong, said that government alone cannot finance sports. He urged chairmen of associations to go out and scout for sponsorship for their associations\’ programmes.
Ekanem further advised them to be more involved in activities of their associations in the zone in order to position themselves to run for zonal offices in the next elections, and also attract sponsorship and tournaments to the state.
He then added that there will be periodic meeting between the ministry of sports development and the association chairmen to keep them abreast with current happenings in the world of sports.
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Earlier, chairmen of the various sports associations who were present at the event, had outlined challenges such as lack of sponsorship, deplorable facilities, low motivation for sports men and women, among others, as factors negating against sports development, and therefore appealed to the government to look into these areas with a view to addressing them.
Some of the chairmen present at the interactive session included Ntufam Edim Inok for Table Tennis Association; Jude Amadi, Wrestling Association; Dr Alfredo Mboto, Aquatic Association; and Hon. Princewill Ayim, Chess Association.
