One thing which is so much connected to the growth of man and thriving in the world today, is sports. Sports especially football, is always headline news. Every where in the world, spectators are increasing and more and more government, private organizations and individuals are pumping money into the development of football at all levels from kindergarten to the senior levels from the rural areas to the cosmopolitan cities.
Many nations, government and individuals now give sports such high priority that they open up their purse-strings to develop football, not only at the top levels but also the local levels by bank-rolling football competitions and also the provision of facilities like boots, balls jerseys and also playing pitches.
After taking great cognizance of the enthusiastic exciting and over flowing talents in his constituency the member representing Isiala Ngwa North in the Abia State House of Assembly Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe popularly called ONWA took up the gauntlet by doing the needful of providing a playing environment by building a mini stadium in Nbawsi, the second mini stadium built after the stadium at Ntigha.
The well constructed mini stadium named after an illustrious son Chief Chuku Wachuku “Urichindere” has a playing pitch with the expensive Xosa grass makes the stadium beautiful and befitting of the landscape.
The 500 bucket-style sitting capacity mini stadium with strong perimeter fencing and bill boards of dotting strategic positions, beautifies the mini stadium. In addition, the mini stadium has three lane tartan tracks for athletics, good toilet facilities and dressing rooms for home and visiting teams.
With propose sites for a football academy (Otawike Football Academy) basketball and volleyball courts a gym, an electronic score board and good sprinker water system for making the pitch evergreen makes the Chuku Wachuku mini stadium very ideal. The serene environment and its accessibility by road an equidistance from Umuahia to Aba makes the Chuku Wachuku mini stadium a very viable alternative training site for football clubs even the national teams. The Nigeria Football Federation should consider this mini stadium which is close to the Nsulu Games Village as an added advantage to its all year round programmes.
It is also believed that this beautiful mini stadium will encourage youths in the locality to develop more interest in sports with its attendant benefits.
Sports, the world over has captured the imagination the public from the street urchins to the highest in the land! With the harsh economic situation in Nigeria, the Chuku Wachuku mini stadium will afford many people in the locality the opportunities for recreating and relaxing to ease off stress and tension almost every day as the stadium is expected to turn into a beehive of activities soon and this will boost the economy around. The Local Government Area and even beyond.
On Wednesday 16th December, 2020, all roads will lead to Mbawsi for the commissioning of the Chuku Wachuku mini stadium by the sports loving Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD. The crème de crème of Abia State are expected to grace the occasion. The Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chuku PhD., His Excellency Senator T.A. Orji Ochendo, His Excellency Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Solomon Adaelu, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Hon. Uko Nkole, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and members, the Abia Exco and a litany of other political juggernauts and sporting personalities.
Many programmes have been lined up to make the day memorable titled Otawike Youth Initiative 5th Annual National Conference with a prayer session by the members of Otawike family as the first programme of the day. After that, Professor Sam Erugo will delver a lecture titled ‘Awakening political consciousness of the electorates to vote in Servant leaders into power.
After the commissioning of the mini stadium by the sports loving Executive Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D, motor-cycles will be given out to selected youths and women of Isiala Ngwa North.
Also, Trade money, palliative money, Christmas money and empowerment money ranging from N10,000 to N40,000 will be given out to 1000 constituents drawn from the 126 polling units of Isiala Ngwa North State constituency.
As part of the celebrations also Awards of Honour will be bestowed on deserving sons and daughters of Isiala Ngwa North.
A match whether novelty or El-classico will be played between Isiala Ngwa All Stars and City Men United of Umuahia to conclude the events of the day.
Relying on the success cybernetics of Christian Hans Anderson, the great poet who graced planet earth for 1805 – 1895, “I can I will”, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe with foresight dedication, sense of mission worthy of emulation, intelligence, interpersonal relations, great business and legislative acumen has succeeded in changing the narrative for the better with a good definition of a legacy project and grass-root development of sports.
Indeed, leadership is taking risk to do what others are not willing to do, its not about age or experience its about the will to change the situation.
Ejikeme Ikwunze
(Mr. Football)
