The Anambra State government has distributed 1,000 football and vest to school children from the 21 Local Government Areas, as the state prepares to float a football team strong and competent enough for national and international competitions.

At the ceremony to flag-off activities to fast track sports development in the state held at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba on Wednesday, the State Governor, Willie Obiano, told reporters that the effort would include harnessing sports talents from the grassroots and would cover primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

“The state will identify and train budding talents to develop skills for both local and international competitions.

The government will provide facilities and financial support for schools for inter-school competition while equipment for morning aerobics would be provided as part of measures to build healthy minds in healthy bodies,” Governor Obiano said.

The governor assured Anambra indigenes that the state contingent to the forth coming Calabar Sports Festival would be well prepared and motivated to excel while those who win laurels would be adequately rewarded.

The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports also assured the indigenes that the government was taking measures towards reinvigorating sports and ensure successful outing in the coming sports festival had been adequately put in place.

He told reporters that the state presently had the several stadia under construction to provide training facilities for sports talents.