'We will popularise, create awareness, organise traditional sports in Enugu State' - Surv. Anagwu

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The newly inuguarated Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Sports Association Board Chairman Surv. Ifeanyi Anagwu, has said his Association would popularise and sensitise people about traditional Sports as well as organise traditional-sports competitions in the 17 local government areas in Enugu State.

Anagwu who stated this while speaking to newsmen shorrly after his inuguaration, explained that it would enable the Association discover talents in traditional wrestling and other traditional sporting activities.

According to him, “The goals of the Board are to strategically create awareness about the games and ensure that Enugu state wins medals from the games during the forthcoming National Sports festival scheduled to hold in Enugu State.”

“The goals are expensive but it is a step by step thing. First, is to create awareness about the games, ncho, traditional wrestling, Abula and other traditional-sports.

“We have to strategically create awareness about the games and to prepare for the festival that will hold in Enugu next year.We intend to hold traditional wrestling, ncho Abula and other sports competitions in the 17 local government areas in Enugu state.

“And then create awareness for the people and select athletes and do constant training for the athletes.

“Alot of people play ncho. I play ncho. It does not require physical exertion. The problem is lack of awareness and sponsorhip.

“Schools will be contacted. In the next 2 months or more the results will start showing.

“We will be having Board meeting next week.We need equipment for wrestling ncho Abula etc, Part of the programme has been scheduled. For now we are trying to equip ourselves. We need location where wrestling can be done. How much intensity and vision we have is what matters when we achieve what we want to achieve the Sports will explode, In the next 4 years ,we would have achieved a lot. These are some of the visions we have”, he stated .

Anagwu explained that most sporting events started as traditional-sports.

“Football started in Great Britain as traditional-sport and now It is recognised as an international sport and all over the world”, stated.

He assured that traditional-sports, events will win medals for the State in the forthcoming CoalCity 2026 Games.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.