SWAN WEEK: Rojenny Says Sports Can Restart Post COVID-19 Economy
Rommy Ezeonwuka, proprietor of Rojenny Stadium, Oba, Idemili South Area says the sports sector has the capacity to kick starts its economy in the post COVID-19 if properly harnessed.
Ezeonwuka said this when he led some members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter on a tour of the facility on Wednesday.
The theme of the WEEK is “Promoting Sports Through Responsible Journalism”.
He said Nigeria had a large pool of talented athletes in all sports who could rule the world if well groomed, packaged and exported.
He said sports was one career that could give people legitimate stay in Europe, America, Asia and other foreign countries and make them earn fat pay.
Rojenny as he is fondly called lauded the role of sports writers in the development of sports in the country and urged to continue to highlight athletes who do well and also keep administrators on their toes.
According to him, sports is a booming business industry abroad, Nigeria has footballers and athletes who can excel anywhere in the world, what we need to do is discover them, export them and sooner than you think, remittances will start coming.
“Many countries are surviving on what they get from players abroad, Nigeria can mitigate the effect of COVID-19 from sports.
“What I have here is an Olympic stadium not soccer stadium, it was built over 35 years ago, we have hosted national and continental events here but now, the society is not making the best use of it.
“This is a breeding ground for sports champions, let sports administrators bring trainings and competitions here because most states don’t have what is in Rojenny,” he said.
He described sports journalists as necessary pillars in sports development edifice who should be encouraged by governments and private sector to succeed.
Earlier, Tony Oji, chairman of SWAN in Anambra said the kick off of 2020 SWAN WEEK at Rojenny was significant in view of the contributions of the stadium to sports development in the country.
Oji who presented a souvenir to the ace facility investor said he remained a touch bearer in private sector investment in sports as what he built as individual was yet to be equaled many years after.
He promised that the SWAN would continue to promote sports through responsible journalism.
The activities of the SWAN WEEK including tour of some sports facilities in Anambra, novelty match and Lecture to be delivered by Tony Nezianya, a veteran sports journalist.
Recognition and Award night would hold on Dec.4.
