Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration would continue to provide a level playing ground for private sector partnership in the development of the sports ecosystem of the state.
Otu disclosed his administration’s plans when he received a team of investors in his office, seeking to partner the state for the development of the sports housing facility at the U. J. Esuene Sports Complex to global standard.
The governor pointed out that sports, all over the world, had developed from being a mere leisure activity to a money-spinning venture, hinting that Cross River State was following in this same direction.
He said: “The dynamics of time and cost content have made it crucial for the private sector to join and partner in the financing for sports to thrive and meet global standards.
“The football and other sports we enjoy today take a lot of investment to make it happen. As a state, sport is very important to us. We need to open our doors to mutually beneficial private sector partnerships to take our sports sector forward,” he asserted.
Otu said the plan to modernise the facility, which houses athletes and officials during sporting events, has also made the renovation of the sports stadium a necessity.
“We will be looking for an investor to partner with the Cross River State government to turn the stadium into a very beautiful sporting facility,” he said.
He urged the sports ministry and the investment partners to speed up paperwork and swing into action, with a call on quality service delivery.
“I am particularly interested in talent hunting. We want to collaborate with relevant agencies to scout for talents, hone them and launch them into the world of sports. Cross River State is abundantly blessed with talents capable of taking the sports world by storm,” the governor added.
In response, the investment partner and Chief Executive Officer of SRHD Sports Management, Mr Daniel Daramola, lauded the governor for his visionary leadership and receptive disposition towards partnership for the development of the state.
Daramola pointed out that the partnership between the two parties would go a long way to impacting the state through sports, adding that the housing facility, when completed would contribute to the state’s economy through revenue generation and employment.
