The Director-General of the Project Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu, Engr. Peter Okwudilichukwu Ogbobe, has emphasized that sports serve as a vital instrument for fostering unity among individuals, transcending barriers of ethnicity, religion, and age.
Dr. Ogbobe made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the PRODA Games Festival, held at the institute’s premises on Abakaliki Road, Emene, Enugu.
He highlighted that the primary goal of the festival was to enhance camaraderie and cohesion among staff members.
In addition to promoting teamwork, Dr. Ogbobe explained that the event would also serve as a selection platform for the best athletes, who would represent PRODA at the upcoming Research Institute Association of Nigeria (RIAN) Games in Ibadan.
He pointed out that the PRODA annual sports festival is more than just a gathering to showcase athletic talent. It also offers an opportunity for participants to connect, compete, and cheer each other on, embodying the values of teamwork, resilience, and dedication.
“The essence of this sports festival is to bring unity and community spirit to the staff of PRODA. This event involves various departments. We came up with the idea because, upon my assumption of office as DG, we discovered there were many conflicts among the staff.
“So, we thought of how to bring ourselves together and foster a sense of community. As we know, sports unite people of all races and backgrounds, so we decided to use this festival to help everyone come together, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company. It revives that sense of unity and community,” Dr. Ogbobe said.
He added, “This tournament is very important because we have the RIAN Games coming up in Ibadan in the first week of December. So, we thought it wise to use this platform to select our best athletes.
“In football, for instance, I hired a coach unknown to any staff member to silently and objectively select players who will carry PRODA’s image and name. I wanted to avoid preferential treatment. No matter how old we are, we should play for fun, and whoever wins, we will all celebrate and laugh together.”
He noted that the festival features various games, including football, volleyball, table tennis, Scrabble, draughts, chess, and many others. “We tried to introduce as many games as possible, including those played at the RIAN Games,” he added.
The DG commended the athletes for their hard work and commitment, urging them to remember that the real victory lies in giving their best, pushing their limits, and cherishing the journey rather than focusing on the outcome.
“To our athletes, winning is wonderful, but competing with integrity and respect for your opponents is the true mark of a champion,” Dr. Ogbobe concluded.
