The Anambra State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Women in Sports has been inaugurated, with a call for increased support to women Athletes.
The inaugural ceremony, which took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, featured presentation of Awards to notable personalities for their contributions in sports development.
The National President of the association Professor Bola Adeyanju, who explained that the association, intends to promote gender equity, stimulate interest, encourage, mobilize and increase women participation in sports in Nigeria, commended the Anambra State Government for various achievements in sports development, urging Government at different levels, as well as communities in the State to encourage and treat women with equality in sports.
The First Vice President of the association, Professor Oby Okonkwo and the Anambra State Co-ordinator of the association, Mrs Faith Okwonna, commended the national leadership of the association for the vision and ingenuity put in to develop and deliver equitable opportunities for women in Nigeria, in addition to overcoming negative attitudes, which she observed, hinder the participation and achievement of Nigerian women in sports.
They commended the Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Chief Tony Oli, for being supportive of female sports athletes who represented the State at various national and international sports engagements, calling for more support.
The Chairman of the inaugural ceremony and Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Lilian Orogbu, who observed decline in sports development in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Educational Institution, called for sustained efforts in reversing the trend.
In his remark, the Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Chief Tony Oli, assured that the State Government will continue to give equal opportunities for the development of sports men and women, urging the association to sustain its drive for young athletes.
Correspondent Joseph Egbeocha reports that Ex-Nigeria International, Maureen Mmadu, Chief Kingsley Uduh and Mrs Ify Obi of the UNIZIK FM were among the award recipients at the event.