Governor Bassey Otu has said his administration would continue to provide a level playing ground for private sector partnership in the development of sports in the state.
He said this in Calabar Wednesday while receiving a team of investors who sought a partnership with the state to develop a global standard redesigned 50-room sport housing facility at the U. J. Esuene sports complex.
The governor pointed out that sports all over the world have developed from being a mere leisure activity to a money-spinning venture and that Cross River state was following in that 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, we will open our doors to mutually beneficial private sector partnerships to take our sports sector forward.
“I am particularly interested in talent hunting. We want to collaborate with relevant agencies to scout for talents, groom 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.”
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 said 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.
The event climaxed with a slight show and detailed analysis of the prospects of the facility, by the project consultant and Team Lead, Edulumen Nigeria Limited, Dr. Samjeh Oscar.
Oscar added that the project, when completed and put to use, would serve dual purposes of housing athletes and generate revenue for sports development in the state.
