Chairman Laments Dwindling Sports Sponsorships In Rivers

The Chairman, Rivers
State Tennis Association (RSTA), Mr. Isaac Uzorma, has opined that sports generally have declined in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular due to lack of sponsorships, facilities as well as non-introduction of games at the grassroots and schools.
Mr. Uzorma, who is also a board member of the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) made the assertion in a chat with our correspondent in his office at Port Harcourt Club recently. He noted with regret that there is no longer physical and health educationin most schools while others do not have modern facilities for training and competitions.
Uzorma lamented that it is a cause for worry that companies, corporate organizations and spirited individuals that used to help government sponsor sports had all withdrawn due to lack of interest and government insensitivity to their contributions, and appealed to governments to redirect their policies and encourage companies and others that sponsor sports competitions. He added that such sports activities would engage the youth positively, reduce unemployment, criminality and youth restiveness, as it is an industry that could check insecurity in the county and states.
According to hi, in the 70’s and 80’s, Nigeria and Rivers State in particular excelled in all sporting activities nationally and internationally due to sponsorships by companies, and availability of facilities, and further enjoined all to development interest on youth for the future good of the nation.
On tennis in the state, the Association Chairman noted that a remarkable achievement was recorded in the past five years as a result of the intervention of the Former Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Late Rt. Hon. Tonye harry through his tennis academy, pointing out that through the foundation, a lot of budding tennis players were discovered and trained to stardom. They also made Rivers State proud in the past two National Sports Festivals on the medal table.
there had been no sponsors for the sport.
Unfortunately, Total E and P that sponsored two junior tennis tournaments in 2012 and 2013 had since backed out for explicable reasons”.
But the good news is that for the first time in the Rivers State Tennis Association, two players, Clifford Onosoroegbe and Aanu Ayebuesi (reserved player) have been selected to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming National Sports Festival holding in Congo, and stressed that with sponsors and better facilities, Rivers State would bounce back to glory.
He called for construction of more mini stadiums and recreational facilities all over the State to encourage sports development as well as appoint credible, capable, and an experienced person as Commissioner for sports and not Commissioner for football in the state.