NSF: SWAN Anambra Calls For Review Of Sports Policy After Abeokuta Ouster
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter has called on the Sports Development Commission to review its programmes and policies with a view to addressing the declining fortunes of the sector.
SWAN made this call in a communique issued at the end of its June congress held on June 5 where if reviewed the performance of the state at the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The communique was signed by
Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Chuks Ugokwe Daniel Ukpai, Chairman, Secretary and Member of the Communique Drafting Committee.
The Sports Writers said the situation where Anambra fell far below its performance at the previous festivals in Delta and Edo States was not only unacceptable but unimpressive.
Recall that Anambra won two gold, six silver and 10 bronze in Abeokuta against six gold gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze it won in Asaba in 2022.
SWAN called on the state government to pay greater attention to the funding, training and welfare of athletes to check the exodus of most of Anambra’s best athletes to other states.
The body expressed dissatisfaction that only one member was included in the state’s contingent to Abeokuta.
According to the Communique, the congress noted with serious concern the below par performance of Team Anambra at the festival which felt short of her performance at the 2022 edition in Asaba, Delta State.
“We call on Anambra State Sports Development Commission to review its programmes and policies as the strategy has not yielded the desired result.
“Ww reiterated the call on the Sports Commission to engender a better collaboration environment with Sports Writers,” it said.
The Congress commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for personally attending the opening ceremony and for sponsoring the contingent in the last National Sports festival.
“SWAN called for early preparation for the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Enugu state in 2026,” it said.
