By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka on March 14, 2025

Anambra state 3rd edition schools sports competition for primary and secondary has been scheduled from March 19 to June 27 with N15 million cash prizes award.

The competition will kick-off in the 21 local governments of the state with eleven sporting events including athletics, ncho, basketball, chess, cricket, football, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, taekwando and volleyball for boys and girls three age categories of U-12, U-14 and U-18.

About 15,000 participants from the federal, public, private and mission primary and secondary schools will feature in the three months events being organised by the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ANSSDC) in collaboration with the state ministry of education and 21 local governments chairmen.

Mr Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of ANSSDC, said in Awka on Thursday that the event offered opportunity to develop sports from the grassroots in line with Gov. Chukwuma Charles Soludo's agenda.

Onyedum said that within just two years of ANSSI’s existence, the initiative has produced athletes who have excelled in both national and international competitions, gaining widespread recognition.

“Our ANSSI products are scattered all over the world, including in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Here in Nigeria, two of them are currently enjoying full scholarships at a sports academy in Abuja. 

"Our performance at the National Youth Games has continued to improve. When ANSSI was introduced, the state’s medal haul was no more than four gold medals.

"But as we are sitting here now, we have from four gold medals to seven gold medals in 2023 and nine gold medals in 2024, that's excluding many silver and bronze medals in the last two NYG in Asaba. 

"To maintain this momentum, we have donated sports equipment—such as tennis boards and basketball courts—to some schools to encourage participation,” he said.

He also urged the participants, including officials and athletes, to adhere strictly to the competition’s rules, while commending the Ministry of Education for approving the participation of schools in the programme. 

Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Education, emphasized that sports are critical to a child’s development. 

 She explained that sports help children interact effectively with society and their environment.

 “We are here to support the Governor’s vision of raising vibrant citizens who will purposefully contribute to society. If children are not properly nurtured in all aspects, it will create problems for society,” she said.

 Hon. Romanus Ibekwe, the chairman of Anaocha LGA and representative of local governments chairmen, said they would mobilise material and human resources towards ensuring that the programme was successful.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted March 14, 2025

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