The Abia State Government has inaugurated the boards of various sports federations under the State Sports Council, urging members to reposition the sector as a catalyst for youth employment, development, and economic growth.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday in Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti described the revitalisation of sports as a strategic step toward promoting youth development and social cohesion.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, said the move was aimed at empowering young people and harnessing their potential through structured sporting activities.

Otti highlighted the transformative role of sports in society, noting that it serves as a platform for engaging youths while instilling values such as discipline, teamwork, unity, and resilience.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the state government could no longer shoulder the financial burden of sports development alone, calling for increased commitment and innovation from federation boards.

He cautioned association executives against unproductivity and redundancy, stressing that the era of inactive sports bodies “existing only on paper” had ended.

Also speaking, the Director of Sports in the state, Obioma George, said ongoing government investment in the sector had begun to yield results, including the appointment of coaches from Abia into national sports associations.

The inauguration is part of efforts by the state government to reposition sports as a viable avenue for economic growth and youth engagement.