The Gov. Bassey Otu administration of Cross River is determined to drive sports development in the state through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Agnes Atsu, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.
The Commissioner said sports had become big business and therefore required collaboration with the private sector.
She noted that already talks were in various stages to secure the involvement of some organisations with the aim of reviving various sporting activities as well as facilities.
According to her, “We have had discussions with some of them on how they can collaborate with the government of Cross River to develop sports and this discussions have been largely fruitful in most cases.
“We are not just looking at the areas of sporting activities, we are also having talks with some on how to partner with us to improve on our facilities.
“We are looking at the reconstruction of the main stadium, improving and equipping of the stadium’s hostel.
“The need for PPP arrangement has become necessary as sports is now a big business and government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility.”
Atsu said the government was desirous of reenacting the glorious days of Cross River in sports in the country.
To this end, the Commissioner said while the state would revive many of the sporting activities, new ones would also be introduced.
She said in a bid to discover new talents and curb youth restiveness, the ministry would revive grassroots sports to productively engage the youth and also groom the talented ones among them.
The Commissioner also said plans had been concluded to introduce veteran sports to give a sense of belonging to the aged.
“We are going back to the grassroots to scout for talents and this can be achieved be regularly organising various sporting activities in those areas.
“Our sports have been inactive for over 16 years, as such our athletes could not participate in several competitions.
“We have put this behind us now and our athletes were in Asaba for the youths games where they won laurels for the state.
“For the veterans sports, we are introducing this, especially for our aged and retired athletes to have a sense of belonging after active service,” she stated.
Atsu said the welfare of athletes was being looked into as part of the plan to get the best out of them.
“Our welfare goes beyond money, we are also encouraging them in the area of education,” she stated. (NAN). READ ALSO:
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