By: Chinedum Ohanusi
A sports enthusiast and elite football administrator Prince Paul Ifeanyi Ngadiuba has hailed the government of Abia State, steered by Governor Alex Otti, for the efforts it has made so far, in giving the so-called lesser sports, the attention they deserve.
Abia State, until recently was renowned for investing heavily in football, and on elite clubs like Enyimba Int’l FC, Abia Warriors FC, Abia Comets FC, and Abia Angels FC.
But all of that seems to have changed, as the state recently hosted a national volleyball championships, and even before the success and frenzy that greeted that event held in the state capital, could die down; the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), announced that it’s 2025 Cadet Championships, for Under-12 and Under-15 Boys and Girls; are underway in Umuahia.
Speaking on the development, Chief Ngadiuba said it is heartwarming to have his home State, Abia attract and successfully host national tournaments.
“This is like breaking news to some of us, in the sense that Abia State had over the years refused to diversify or encourage all round sports development; by investing heavily on football alone.
Prince Ngadiuba, who is also the founder and Chief Executive of FC Ngadiuba Ltd buttressed his criticism of his home state by saying; “Yes Oooo! As old as Abia State is, we don’t have a Sports Center or a modern mini Sports Hall, for courts and other ball activities, except for the Umuahia Township Stadium, where we also have the ministry of Sports Offices, with their ageing sports equipment and training center”, Ngadiuba fumed.
He however, appealed to the pragmatic governor not to relent in his quest to use sports as a vehicle to uplift the image of Abia State, and in doing so, he would have given hope to many youths who are hungry to write their names and that of Abia, in gold.
The National Under 12 and Under 15 Boys and Girls Handball Championships commenced in Umuahia, on Thursday, with a thorough screening exercise of the players, to ensure that they players were all within the age brackets permitted.
The matches eventually began at about 4:00 pm, in Courts one and two:
*Day 1 Fixtures/Results:*
C&S Kwara 23-6 Ikom Academy (U12, Boys) 4 pm @ Court 1.
Abia Vs Girl Child Gboko (U15 Girls) @ Court 2.
Plateau 6-16 Adamawa (U12 Boys) at 5:00 pm. *Stopped due to poor weather*
Benue Vs C&S Kwara (U15 Boys) 5:00 pm.
