The second batch of recipients of the Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Free Table Tennis Boards and Accessories for public and private schools in Abia State have been handed their consignments.
Performing the handover at the boardroom of the Abia State Sports Council, Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Chief Emeka George Ikwuagwu, charged the school heads to ensure that the table tennis boards were used primarily for the training of upcoming players and warned against converting it to personal use.
The commissioner said it was the governor’s drive for youth upliftment and desire to unearth sports talents at the grassroots that gave rise to the donation of the table tennis boards and accessories adding that more schools would benefit from the scheme in due course.
He stated that the schools were strategically selected from the three senatorial zones of the state to ensure equity and balance.
Chief Ikwuagwu said his ministry was focused on carrying other sports alongside football in its developmental strides and to make sure that females are not left out in the scheme of things.
Some of the schools present to collect their items were Ikwueke Community Secondary School, Ohambele in Ukwa East LGA, Practical Computers Secondary School, Aba South LGA, and Nvosi High School in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Others were Secondary Technical School, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North LGA, Boys Secondary School, Uzuakoli in Bender LGA, and Aggrey Memorial Secondary School in Arochukwu LGA.
Comprehensive Secondary School, Alaukwu Umuobiakwa in Obingwa LGA, Senior Science Secondary School, Ariam in Ikwuano LGA, Methodist Girls Model Secondary School, Ovim in Isuikwuato LGA and Community Girls Secondary School, Umungasi in Osisioma LGA had not arrived at the presentation venue at the time of filing this report
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The principal of Ikwueke Community Secondary School, Ohambele, Mrs. Grace Ijeoma Azubuike, on behalf of the benefitting schools, expressed gratitude to Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D. for the kind gesture and promised that they will use the table tennis boards judiciously to raise champions who will make Abia State and Nigeria proud.