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By Oscar Okhifo,
The First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has described sports as a powerful instrument for character formation and social inclusion among youths in society.
She made the statement on Wednesday in Awka while flagging off the second edition of the Nonye Soludo Volleyball Championship.
The four-day championship, scheduled to run from December 17 to December 20, 2025, will feature group-stage matches from December 17 to 18, with the finals slated for December 20.
Dr. Soludo explained that the competition was designed to promote youth development, teamwork and healthy competition through sports. According to her, the tournament forms part of deliberate efforts to positively engage young people, discover hidden talents and instil discipline and unity among youths in the state.
“This competition will also serve as a platform for nurturing future volleyball stars,” she said.
“I encourage our youths to take the tournament seriously because sports remains a powerful tool for character building and social inclusion.”
She commended the organizers, coaches and participating teams for their dedication to the success of the championship and urged athletes to display sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr. Patrick Onyedum, described the championship as a laudable initiative aligned with the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
He expressed confidence that the tournament would further boost the growth of volleyball in the state and beyond.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stressed the connection between health and sports. He also disclosed that 15 out of the 21 expected teams, representing the 21 local government areas of the state, were participating in the championship.
The event attracted sports administrators, youth leaders, volleyball enthusiasts and supporters, as teams from across the state compete for honours in the four-day sports fiesta.