A 3-day training for sports administrators organised by the Nigeria Olympic Committee in collaboration with Abia State Sports Council has commenced in Umuahia for a better sports administration in the State.
Declaring the workshop open on Thursday, at the Indoor sports hall of Umuahia Township Stadium, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth development, Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba said the workshop was aimed at equipping the sports managers with requisite academic knowledge to become better sports administrators.
Ananaba said apart from field experience, academic experience is also important to have an all round view of what it takes to be a better sports administrator, adding that the Ministry is collaborating with local and international institutions to build the capacity of sports managers and psychologists in the State
“Academics will give you a holistic view of how sports management works. To become a good sports administrator, you have to have academic knowledge. That is the reason why we want to afford this to our coaches and athletes so that they will be well equipped in sports business management.
They know how seriously we take sports in our district. They know how intentional Excellency is in procuring our equipment, supporting all our programs. So they will do the needful to make sure they understand what they are being taught today,” he said.
On her part, the Team Leader from Nigeria Olympic Committee Mrs Esther Aluko on behalf of the President, expressed hope that the program would be impactful with its attendant benefits in the sports sectors. She said the council has plans for advanced programs to further bring the best out of sports administrators
Speaking earlier, the State Director of sports Comrade Obioma George while describing the training as first of its kind in Abia state thanked the State Governor and the Nigeria Olympic Committee for making it possible for the training of Officers in the sports
NewsNGR reports that the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma, later conducted the team round the International Standard Weight Lifting equipment recently procured by the State Government for Abia athletes.