Onyedum, Onuko, Madubuko Clinch Sports Impact Awards In Anambra
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Friday commended some individuals and groups for their contributions towards sports development in Anambra.
SWAN, Anambra Chapter bestowed the honours to the deserving persons and groups at the 2024 End of Year and Recognition Ceremony held on Friday in Awka.
The theme of the event was “Sports Development In Anambra: The Infrastructure Question”
The awards were Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission for his contribution to grassroots sports development through Anambra Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI).
ANSSI Policy which was introduced in 2023 was used to revive grassroots sports including school level sporting competition.
Also recognised was Ossy Onuko, Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) who had used sports competitions to promote a peaceful environment among youths.
Johnny Igboka, a veteran high jumper and Proprietor of All Sports Foundation,Nimo was honoured for his contribution to sports development in Anambra as an athlete and a coach
Prof Victor Madubuko, Chairman Anambra State Beach Soccer Association received an award for running the most active sports association in Anambra State while De Wilson FA got recognition for being the fastest growing Football Academy in the State
Delivering a lecture, Chris Abakare, a football administrator, called on the Anambra government to partner private sector investors as a measure to address the sports infrastructure deficit in the state.
Abakare, a professor of Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said sports infrastructure in Anambra was both inadequate and in bad condition that the state could not hold competitions.
He regretted that the Awka Township Stadium which had the potential of becoming the hub of sports in Southeast had been lost to a leisure and recreation park known as the Solution Fun City.
“We prayed and hoped before we got what we have in the Park A area of the Awka Stadium, we were looking forward to a complete sports city but what we have now we have Solution Fun City.
“As it is, the state can not hold any sports competitions, so I recommend that the state government adopt a Public Public Partnership model with management of private facilities to address the infrastructure gap in the sports sector.
Also speaking, Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Olympic Committee said the Anambra government should take the issue of sports facilities seriously.
Nezianya said youths and talented athletes in the state should be provided the ground to express themselves.
In a reaction, Dr law Mefor, Commissioner for Information in Anambra said the Soludo administration was taking sports from mere entertainment to economic activity.
Mefor admitted that the Anambra had a gap in sports infrastructure but assured that measures were being taken to address it and that an Olympic Stadium was being considered.
