A flagged off of skating competition is revolutionizing the way the Cross River State Governmment approaches youths empowerment and sports development.
The initiative brought together youths from different African countries and states to compete in skating championship in Calabar.
Also, from prize money wining to Laurel award, the initiative is setting a standard for responsible development in the state.
The program is a model for how collaboration and innovation can drive positive changes
As SRHD Sports management in collaboration with the Nigeria Inline Skating Federation (NISF), In partnership with CRS Sports Commission flagged off the event in Calabar, the impact could be transformative.
“Today is going to mark another day of sporting activity in Cross River State,” Governor Bassey Edet Otu remarked shortly before he presented prizes to the winners of the championship.
“We have Wonderful skaters from all over the country today. “To start a sports which has come to find its root here.”
“I am very happy to know that over forty Cross Riverians are participating in this event.” Otu added.
Again, “Let me say this to cross Riverians that this Governmment is going to take sporting activity very seriously.”
“We are not leaving any stone unturned not just skating but in all sports.
He said for the skaters he wished them the best as they have already done their rounds without injury.
He promised that he will continue to partner with all who will love to partner with the state government in sports.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Sports Development Mrs Agnes Atsu revealed plans to domesticate skating championship.
She said inline with the federal government choice of 2nd August of every year as national sports day, Cross River State also has chosen 2nd August of every year to hold skating championship, adding that the 2025 edition will be on the 2nd of August.
“I will be happy if skating can be recognized as federation,” the representative of the Minister of Sports Development Sen. John Owan Enoh said.
He said he was surprised at what he saw because as far as he was concern this was the first of its kind.
Also , he said skating is one of the sports in Nigeria that the federal government has not accepted it as a federation.
Therefore, he said: “With what I am seeing I am happy and if I have my way I will make sure it is approved.”
“We have variety of sports program if the Cross River state is ready the federal government will bring any sports.”
“We are ready to partner with the state governments in any sports only if they are ready to accept us,” he concluded.
President inline skating federation Retired AC Wuni Taylor highlighted the essence of skating championship held in Calabar to include taking youths off crime and streets by engaging them in meaningful activities.
“While, we organizing the skating championship we ought to get sponsors who intimated the Cross River State Governor of the plan and under whose approval the championship is held today.”
Also speaking, the national chairman inline skating federation and organizer Mr Damilola Daniel expressed gratitude over the governor’s approval and thanked participants for making the event a success.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otu, and the convener of the Skate – A- Athon championship Mr Edem Darlington, observed that the event featured participants from other African countries.
He said the international and national event got participants from Cameroon, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso etc, to converge in Calabar for the maiden edition of the sports.
“The skating route covers the entire 12km carnival route in Calabar metropolis and at the end winners will go home with various prizes,” Darlington explained.
The DPS who made this known in an interview with journalists who also witnessed the event said “all thanks goes to the support of the Cross River State Governmment.”
Highlights were presentation of various prizes to the winners, Road skate marathon at Carnival Route and road party along the marathon Route.
Truth Live News reports that the Calabar 2024, International Skating Championship was put together by SRHD Sports management in collaboration with the Nigeria Inline Skating Federation (NISF), In partnership with CRS sports commission.