1,000 students to compete at first Abia tertiary institutions sports festival

The first Abia Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta for all tertiary institutions will kick off on 25th November, with 1,000 teams from all public and private tertiary institutions in the state competing in 26 different games.

The games include football, track & field, lawn tennis, swimming, and 22 other sports.

Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, who disclosed this on Thursday, said that the state government was organising the fiesta to unite the schools, harness the potentials of the students, and also take their minds away from cultism, drug abuse, and other deviant activities.

She noted that the games, which will hold simultaneously in different venues in Abia State between November 25 and 28, are being organized by the Abia State Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

She added that the fiesta would also promote extracurricular activities among Abia youths, give them a sense of belonging, change the mindset of students from negative to positive thoughts, and address frosty relationships between students and their lecturers.

Also speaking, the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the first Abia tertiary institutions games will identify fresh athletes who will represent Abia State in sporting activities.

He informed that track and field events will take place at the Umuahia Township Stadium, football matches will be hosted at Ibeku High School, while lawn tennis games will hold at the Ridge Club, Umuahia.

Ananaba noted that Governor Alex Otti considers the importance of youths in his administration, adding that accommodations and other security arrangements have been made to ensure hitch-free events.