The Abia State Government says plans are at an advanced stage to establish a Special Sports Economic Zone aimed at boosting youth employment and increasing revenue. The announcement was made in Umuahia by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, following a State Executive Council meeting.
Mr Kanu said the initiative would support sports merchandising, including fashion, leather works, footwear and sportswear production, with a market designed to serve Nigeria and the wider African region. He added that the project is being developed in partnership with Sports Nigeria.
According to the commissioner, the zone is expected to generate significant revenue through taxes while creating jobs for young people in the state. He also said the government’s investment in sports development has already produced positive results in recent competitions.
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The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, said local artisans would be engaged in producing sports equipment and merchandise, while a sports management programme introduced with a polytechnic in Aba aims to equip students with skills for careers in the sector.
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