The proposed legislation, titled “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,” is a private member bill sponsored by Hon. Victor Chidi-Nwoke, representing Abakaliki-North constituency in the state legislature.
The bill, which also has co-sponsorship support from other lawmakers, particularly members of the House Committee on Youth Development and Sports, aims to establish a structured platform for talent identification and sports development across the state.
Speaking shortly after Thursday’s plenary at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chidi-Nwoke, who also chairs the Committee on Youth Development and Sports, described the proposal as a strategic intervention to harness youthful talents and reduce restiveness.
According to him, the annual sports festival will serve as a pipeline for discovering and grooming athletes who can represent the state at national competitions, including the National Sports Festival.
“This bill is necessary because it will give us an edge over other states in talent development. Not everyone will become a doctor or lawyer, but many youths have sporting talents that can be harnessed through a structured system like this,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the state’s recent performance at the National Sports Festival, noting that the proposed law would help address existing gaps in sports development and athlete preparation.
Chidi-Nwoke added that if the bill is given accelerated passage and assented to, it would ensure that Ebonyi produces competitive athletes ahead of future national events.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Moses Odunwa, commended the sponsor of the bill, describing it as a welcome development for youth and sports advancement in the state.
He urged lawmakers to study its provisions ahead of its second reading and subsequent deliberations.
The bill is expected to be debated further as it progresses through the legislative process in the coming sittings.
