As the 22nd National Sports Festival approaches, Abia State has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting national unity through sports, with Governor Alex Otti receiving the Torch of Peace and Unity from officials of the National Sports Commission, Abuja, in his Nvosi country home.
The torch presentation is a traditional precursor to the biennial sporting event which signals the state’s readiness to participate in the festival tagged “Gateway Games”, scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from May 16 to 30, 2025.
During the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Governor Otti expressed satisfaction with the consistent performance of Team Abia.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Abia. I must re-emphasize that there is something that holds everybody together and that is sports. It is one area where there is no discrimination, even if somebody is your son or your daughter, if he is not proficient in a game you would not field him,” he said.
The Governor further stated that the state had already made financial provisions for the team, noting that the official handover of the torch was merely a formality. He pledged support and recognition for the athletes if they returned with trophies.
“They have always made us proud, they have even continued to even do better this time around, that is why it was not a problem to approve their proposal,” he said.
He emphasized that athletes who succeed at the festival would be celebrated, adding, “The reward for good work is more work.”
Leading the torch team, Mrs. Mbora Ikana of the National Sports Commission explained that the torch relay was flagged off on March 25, 2025. She said the torch symbolized national unity and also served as a formal invitation for Abia to take part in the games.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of Sports in Abia State, Comr. Obioma George, praised the Governor for his contributions to grassroots sports development.
He said, “Tell the National Sports Commission that the Abia Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is the only Governor that has directed that sports should go back to secondary schools.”
Highlighting recent achievements, George noted that last year’s school sports festival led to a young Abia athlete winning three gold medals in weightlifting at the National Youth Games. He added that the state would participate in 25 out of the 40 sports categories approved by the commission, with a delegation of 339 athletes.
“Also tell them that the executive Governor of Abia is the only Governor that has appreciated the athletes. He’s the only Governor in Nigeria that appreciated athletes. He welcomed the paralympics, he also welcomed the under 15 national youth games and their officials,” said George.
