The National Sports Commission has reiterated its commitment towards the development and upliftmment of grass root sports in the country.
Stanley Okebugwu, Co-ordinator of the South East zone 1 of the NSC, stated at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, during an interactive session with Executive Committee members of the Enugu State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, led by its Chairman, Norbert Okolie.
He said that the Director General of the NSC, Dr. Patrick Ekeji, has vowed not to rest on his oars until the nation’s present dwindling sports situation, especially at the grass root level, is addressed.
According to him, it is against the backdrop of getting things right in the sports sector, as well as restoring the lost glory of grass root sports in the nation, that the NSC boss decided to initiate the formation of a 12 zonal structures arrangement in the country, with a view to addressing the issue squarely.
Okebugwu, who assumed office in the zone not too long ago, however, called on all major stakeholders in sports, especially sports writers from the three states of Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu that make up Zone 1, to join hands with his office in realising the commission’s dream of taking every sports to the next level.
He further explained that it is because of the importance and seriousness Ekeji attaches to the revival of grass root sports in the country that he decided to deploy senior officers from Assistant Directors cadre, to man the zonal offices for effective performance.
While stressing the need for a symbiotic relationship among sports journalists, sports managers and administrators at all times, the Zone 1 helmsman also used the forum to appeal to SWAN members both at the state and national levels to ensure accurate and objective reportage.