Anambra will continue to identify, encourage raw talents from the grassroots says Dr Nonye Soludo
As Idemili South team clinches 1st prize at volleyball competition
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Anambra First Lady and wife of the Governor, Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo has given the assurance that the state government under the Soludo administration will continue to identify and encourage raw talents for global recognition.
Mrs Soludo made the remarks on Saturday during the closing ceremony and awarding of prizes at the Nonye Soludo volleyball competition held at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
She said the competition is aimed at discovering budding talents in the Volleyball industry from Anambra state noting that what played out in the court during the competition was a complete display of brilliance.
“It was an event to watch, and I’m really proud to say that I savoured every breathtaking second of the games. Our talent base here is super rich, and I couldn’t be any less proud of these talented girls. You’re looking at emerging stars whose brilliance will certainly amaze the future.
The truth is that this competition has offered us a certain kind of vision: beyond the laurels and prizes, we want to pick out girls whose talents and future are tied to the sport and empower them to keep dreaming. Anambra is super blessed. Here are the champions you will see tomorrow!” she stated.
After a keenly contested game, the female team from Idemili South local government area of Anambra State won the first prize defeating Njikoka local government team in a fierce game that thrilled the audience.
Ealier in the day, team Anaocha local government area defeated Aguata Local Government team to clinch the third position.
Mrs Soludo went further to support the Volleyball industry by presenting N750,000 naira to team Idemili South for winning the 2nd edition of the competition, 500,000 naira to team Njikoka who came second and N250,000 naira to team Anaocha who got the third possition.
Stephine Nwadinobi from team Idemili South went home as the Best Attacker while Cynthia Uzuegbunam of Njikoka got best setter in the competition.
Chinecherem Nwazupu from team Anaocha was rated the Most Valuable Player, Njikoka local government best behaved team while Aguata went home with best Coach in the ratings.
The Chairman Anambra state Sports Commission, Patrick Onyedum and the Mayor of Idemili South local government area, Mrs Amaka Obi who spoke through Valentine Mbadugha extolled the resilience spirit of the players noting that the winning female team was as a result of constant training as well as the impact of the Anambra State Sports Development Initiative, ANSSI, a brain child of the Governor towards enhancing the Sports sector.
Head Coach of Anambra State Volleyball team and Coordinator of the Nonye Soludo Volleyball competition, Uche Okafor said a total of 36 matches were played in the games that saw four teams from 4 zones making it into the semifinals.
Coach Uche expressed worry that most of the players who are Indigenes of the state were representing other states in major national competitions and therefore appealed to both the Sports Development Commission and the State Government to make efforts to change the narrative through proper remunerations.
Signing out from the ceremony, the Anambra First Lady concluded thus : “Once again, let me congratulate all the teams that took part in this year’s edition. You all are my proud winners. Let’s make next year bigger, better, and more spectacular. See you all again soon” she said.
