Manfred Nzekwe, the Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports , says it is necessary for athletes to put aside money pursuit in order to harness and grow their talents for future gains.
Nzekwe made this call in Enugu on Thursday in respect of the just ended three-day handball clinic for coaches and players in the state.
In addition, he commissioned the newly-constructed handball court by  Enugu State Government at Nsukka.
Nzekwe said that the coaches’ and the ministry’s sole responsibility was to discover and expose the athletes to the world, and that the athletes had the right to represent any state or county of their choice.
“We do not want to and cannot delay our athletes from reaching their limelight in sports of their endeavour.
“Enugu State has discovered and exposed lots of talents and they are doing well at the world stage.
“The state will continue to unearth raw talents from the hinterland of the state so that they will use their strength for something positive for the state and their families,” he said.
The commissioner advised athletes to always remember home once they made it in life,
reminding them that it is  God that uplifted them to help their aged or aging parents.
He restated that the state government needed their commitment in order to ensure a diversification of sports to accommodate many youths and to ensure they earn a living through sports.
“We are not only interested in Rangers International FC as many people thought. It is just that football is one of the popular sports in the country.
“Football is a sport the state has comparative advantage in,” Nzekwe said.
He urged sports associations and thier chairman in the state to always come up with good ideas that can grow the game of sports.
He also urged them to help in uplifting sports as government cannot do all that are involved in sports alone.