Amaraizu
A sports administrator, Ebere Amaraizu, has called for optimal harnessing of the power of sports to enhance community peace and social inclusion.
Amaraizu, who is a former Board Member and Director Nationwide League One (NLO) in-charge of South-East, made the call in Enugu while speaking with newsmen.
He spoke on the sidelines of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace (IDSDP), which is celebrated every April 6, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
The administrator noted that since sports was for everybody and appeals to everybody irrespective of one’s religious inclinations, academic and social statutes; it is an acceptable tool for human engineering and change.
According to him, indeed the importance of sports and what it can bring to the community in terms of peaceful and inclusive societies cannot be overemphasised.
He said: “Sports as a tool for social engineering focuses on the right direction of human and societal development.
“This right direction is towards shaping the public awareness and advocacy with relevant policies that will help to promote the realization of peaceful and inclusive societies.
“The theme for the 2024 International Day for Sports, which is: ‘Sports for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies’, is a profound confirmation of the positive influence of sports in our society.
“The power inherent in sports has the power to align many people’s passion, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be nurtured and trust can be regained.”
Amaraizu, who is the Chairman, Enugu State Taekwondo Association said that it was in the collective interest of the nation to harness the tremendous power of sports to help build a better and more sustainable future for Nigerians.
He also called for deliberate efforts by government and non-governmental bodies to enshrine a well-structured and implementable sports policy that would encourage development of high performance community sports centres in communities and council areas.
“High performance community sports centres will definitely aid in the realization of rapid development of budding sports talents, achievement of positive changes, promotion of peace and inclusive for all genders,” he noted.of
