The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Anambra Chapter, has expressed concern over the rapid declining of sports development in the state.
SWAN, in a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting held at the NUJ Press Centre in Awka on October 31, noted with dismay the absence of functional state owned sporting infrastructure and school sports festival in the state.
The communiqué was signed by Anthony Oji and Chimezie Anaso, the chapter Chairman and Secretary respectively.
It recommended that school sports festival should be made an annual event to fish out potential talents that would represent the state and the country in national and international competitions.
The communiqué noted that the expected increase in school sports after the donation of equipment by National Sports Lottery Commission had not been seen and called for inquiry on the utilisation of that equipment.
The association called on Governor Willie Obiano of the state to make the Sports Development Commission to become operational.
It urged the governor to direct the appointment of all relevant members into the board to stakeholders.
It said: “We call on the governor to make the commission effective by directing that statutory members and representatives of sports associations, club owners, sports facility owners, SWAN and other relevant groups are appointed into it.”
The association observed that public hearing was not held on the Sports Development Commission bill to allow sports stakeholders make inputs before it was signed into law in September.
It said: “SWAN, Anambra Chapter observed there was no public hearing on the bill to allow for inputs from relevant stakeholders including SWAN before it was signed into law by the Anambra State House of Assembly.’’
SWAN thanked the state government for the assistance given to Benson Udeh, a grassroots coach who was involved in an accident and had been bedridden since 2016.
It said: “SWAN notes with regret the dearth of functional sporting facility in Anambra and called on the state government to invest massively in sporting infrastructure for the development of sports and athletes in the state.
“SWAN observes that there has been a decline in school sports and at the development stage and call on the governor through the state ministry of education to revive the dying school sports festival.
“We call on government to set up an inquiry into the utilisation of the sports equipments donated to schools in Anambra through the then Ministry of Sports by the National Sports Lottery Commission.’’
The association charged the Anambra Football Association to work more on developing sports in the state and also congratulated Rangers International FC for their victory at the Aiteo championship.
It said: “SWAN calls on the Anambra State Football association to be more active and organise programmes that would lead to the growth and development of the game in the state.
“We also congratulate Rangers International FC of Enugu for their victory in the finals of the 2018 Aiteo championship.
“We urge you to replicate the feat on the continent as you represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation’s Cup.”
Trending
- OSUN: NANS seeks intervention from Governor Adeleke, threatens protest over fee hike, palliative
- Easter Celebration: IGP orders round-the-clock water-tight security at all public spaces
- Kogi poll: SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ against Governor Ododo
- No BoT in Labour Party, spokesman dismisses takeover claims
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace