A bill to establish Ebonyi State Annual Sports Festival has passed its first reading at the state’s House of Assembly.
The bill which is the first private member bill is entitled, “A bill for a law to provide for Ebonyi State Annual Sports Festival and Establishment of the State Sports Festival Committee and Other Related Matters”.
The Bill was sponsored by Mr Victor Chidi-Nwoke, member representing Abakaliki-North constituency in the state Assembly.
Chidi-Nwoke, Chairman committee on Youth Development and Sports, who spoke with newsmen shortly after the plenary on Thursday, described the bill as a “necessity” to build a robust state talent pool for onward recruitment.
“This bill is sponsored by myself and co-sponsored by other Honourable members, especially those from the committee.
“I came up with this bill because if given consent, it will help to give us edge over other states as well as an advantage to harness talent of our youths.
“Everybody must not be a medical doctor, lawyer or an accountant and I have seen that there are so many youths, who have the talent and through this annual sports festival, will harness those talents and curb youth restiveness,” he explained.
Chidi-Nwoke expressed worry over the poor performance of the state athletes at the recently concluded National Sports Festival.
“The bill when assented will correct the challenge facing sports development in the state.
“In the bill, I would like it to be ready before the next national sports festival and that is to ensure that from participants of the state sports festival, we will raise athletes who will participate in the national sports festival.
“I am appealing to other members in the house to give their support to the bill so that we give it accelerated passage as it passed first reading today,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa, applauded the initiator of the bill describing it as a welcome development.
Odunwa urged the members to study the bill and get ready for deliberations at the the second reading.