George Aluo
Chairman of Imo 2022 National Sports Festival Bid Committee, Dan Ngerem, is confident Imo State would get the hosting right to the event after next year’s show in Benin, Edo State.
Ngerem whose committee was inaugurated last week in Owerri said his confidence stems from the fact that the Imo State government is serious about the project and the commitment Gov. Emeka Ihedioha has shown in using sports to drive his “Rebuild Imo” agenda.
“It is quite obvious the Imo State government is serious about the project of getting Imo to host the games… The governor is driving the project himself and he is passionate about sports and the need to use sports, as one of the avenues to drive his vision to rebuild our state. So, I see Imo getting the 2022 hosting right. Our committee will do a good job. It is a committee that was carefully selected,” Ngerem stated.
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The former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President harped on the need to aggressively market the games, even as he expressed joy over the presence in Owerri, during the committee’s inauguration, of some top sports marketers who can take the games to the private sector.
“I m happy some credible people who can market the games and get the private sector involved in it have started identifying with the bid right from day one.”
It would be noted that the Imo State government has also embarked on the upgrading of sports facilities in the state.
Sports minister, Sunday Dare was in Owerri on the invitation of the state government, on the day the bid committee was inaugurated, to inspect on going works at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
