By Okechukwu Onuegbu
About 15,000 athletes from the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Anambra State are expected to participate in the State Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI 2023), an event approved by governor Chukwuma Soludo to scout for grassroots sports talents.
The Chairman, Anambra State Sports Commission, Mr Patrick-Estate Onyedum, who disclosed this in an interactive session with members of Anambra State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State chapter, explained that the game would hold across private and public primary and secondary schools in all the 181 communities .
Onyedum, represented by Olu Sule, the technical consultant of the Commission, flanked by other specialists in the commission, Mr Emeka Obidinma and
added that the event would feature Athletics for under 13 and under 16; Basketball U 16; Chess- under 13 and under 17; Football, under 13 and under 17.
Others were Scrabble, under 13 and under 17; Swimming, under 17; Table tennis, under 13 and under 17; Tennis, under 17; Taekwondo, under 13 and under 17; Volleyball, under 17; and Cricket, EXHIBITION.
According to him, registration started since April 18 to lasts till May 12, while intra community and intercommunity events kicks off from May 17 to 19th May, to be continued at the Local Government level from May 25 to May 26, Zonal level ( from June 9th and 10th), and State level (and grand finale) holds from June 21 to 24th 2023.
"Every community will select one team to represent them at the Local Government level. At the Local Government level, two successful teams will move to represents the council area at the district (senatorial zone) and two best teams to emerge from each zone will represent their zones at the State level. But all the participating teams will still answer their names (names of schools) even while representing communities, LG or Senatorial zones.
"As the game is going on, there will be scouting of talents from the community level up to the State level. The selected talents will be called to the camps during the school vacation for mix sports (sports academic and field training). All intending schools whether privately or government owned, must obtain a registration form to be filled and duly signed by the school principal, and submitted at appropriate place," he maintained.
He urged schools and individuals to make maximum use of the opportunities as the talents to be discovered and groomed from the sporting events would be representing Anambra State in future national and international games.
"In keeping with the belief that participation in activities is a privilege and not a right, certain standards of eligibility have been established. Standard on age, resident, academic standards to bring about goals of fairness and equality of opportunity for all participants," he noted.
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The following sports shall play zonal elimination to qualify to the state final:-
1. Football
2. Basketball
3. Volleyball
4. Tennis
All other sports shall go straight to the state finals.
ATHLETICS:
# Events for U-13 shall be 60m, 150m, 300m, LJ, HJ, Discus, SP. & 4 X 100m relay
# Events for U-17 shall be 100m, 200m 400m 800m, LJ, HJ, Discus, SP, 4 X 100m relay & 4 X 100m mix relay.
# Events shall be for male and female
# Each LGA shall present 2 entries per events
# All athletes shall appear in respective sports uniform.
FOOTBALL:
U-13 shall play a full team of 11 players
# 16 entries shall comprise the team list
# 20min shall be allotted for each half of the game
# Final whistle shall be blown at the end of 40mins
# A mini football field shall be marked out
# A hand ball goal post shall be used.
U-17 shall play normal soccer
# 16 students shall make a team list
# Each half shall be played for 30min
# Final whistle shall be blown at the end of 60min.
# All other rules guiding the game of football shall be adopted.
BASKETBALL:
# The game shall be 3 A side
# Team list shall consist only 4 players
# The game shall last for only two quarters of 15 minutes each, after which a team with the highest point shall be declared a winner.
CHESS:
# There shall be 2 entries each per team
# There shall be timers to be used from beginning to the end
# There shall be One Hour Total playing time of 30 minutes per side.
# Winner will be determine by checkmate or time.
# Porn touched must be moved
SCRABBLE:
# there shall be only 2 entries per team
# there shall be timers to be used from beginning to the end.
# 30mins shall be allotted to a game
# 2mins shall be allotted to a player turn and simultaneously
# Tiles on board cannot be remove
# Winner shall be determine by highest score at the end of 30mins allotted per game.
SWIMMING
# events for swimming shall be:- 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, & 50m butterfly.
# there shall be only 2 entries per event
# No learner shall be allowed in the pool during the competition
TABLE TENNIS
# Events to be played shall be single & doubles.
# Best of 2 out of game of 3 shall win
# Entries shall be 2 players per team
# seeding shall be random
TAEKWONDO:
Taekwondo entry pattern.
1. Under 15 will be four weight categories
Two males, two females
2. Under 12 will also be four weight categories
Two males, two females.
In Under 15, males we have
1, -56kg
2, -49kg
It means that for male -56kg category. An athlete must not weigh over 56kg and not lower than 49kg.
In male -49 kg an athlete must not weigh over 49kg and not less than 42kg.
In Under 15 females we have
1, -52kg
2, -45kg
This also means that competitors in female -52kg must not weigh over 52kg and not less than 45kg.
In female-45kg competitors must not weigh over 45kg and not less than 38kg.
Under 12 male will be.
1, -42kg
2, -35kg
Meaning that in male -42kg athlete must not weigh over 42kg and not less than 35kg.
In male-35kg athlete must not weigh over 35kg and not less than 28kg.
Under 12 female.
1, -32kg
2, -28kg
-32kg not exceeding 32kg and not less than 28kg
-28kg not exceeding 28kg and not less than 24kg.
SUMMARY
1, Under 15 four athletes comprising of two males and two females.
2, Under 12 four athletes comprising of two males and two females.
A total number of 4 athletes from each school is to compete in Under 15.
A total number of 4 athletes also to compete in Under 12 category.
Subject to amendment.
In the victory ceremony we always have 2nd bronze medal in each category. That means gold, silver, and 1st bronze and 2nd bronze.
TENNIS:
# Events to be played shall be singles & doubles
# Best of 2 out of 3 sets shall will
# Entries shall be 2 players per team
# Seeding sham be random
VOLLEYBALL:
# Team list shall be 12 players
# Best of 2 in a game of 3 shall be played
# Only 2 teams shall qualify from each zone
# Only 2 teams shall represent each LGA
# All other general rules in volleyball shall be strictly adhere to.