SWAN Urges Anambra Govt to Partner Private Sector on Sports Development

By Ikemefuna Asika

SPORTS Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State Chapter has advised the state government to work closely with the private sector for development of abundant sporting talents in the state.

Anambra SWAN made the call following an impressive performance of Team Anambra at the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

Anambra athletes finished 8th on the table with 26 medals (9 Gold, 9 Silver and 8 Bronze) and returned home as the best performing state in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

In an official statement issued on Sunday through its chairman, Chimezie Anaso, SWAN Anambra State chapter hailed the performance of Team Anambra at the sporting championship, describing it as a sign of progress from its earlier outing.

According to him, the Team Anambra medals haul at the NYG 2024 was a testimony of the silent revolution going on in the sports sector under the management of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission led by Estate Patrick Onyedum.

The SWAN chairman said that Team Anambra athletes had shown discipline and steady improvement at the games every succeeding year.

He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the team and ensuring that Anambra State participated in all national competitions held since his assumption of office.

“The success of Team Anambra at the games is quite exciting, they finished eighth best and best from the Southeast, it simply shows that sports is in best hands in the state and that the governor is according it priority attention.

“As sports writers, we are happy that Anambra has not missed any major competition at the national and back home, the grassroots development programme of school sports under Anambra Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI) has been regular.

“Again, Anambra has been presenting children who are within the approved age limit of 15 years, no fielding of ineligible athletes, this is because there is a programme that guarantees continuous supply of raw talents,” he said.

The SWAN boss then called on the state government to sustain their career progression path by awarding them academic scholarships and exposing them to the best sports mentorship environment for them to hone their talents.

He also advised the Soludo administration to go for strategic partnership with private sector, especially owners of sports academies and sports facilities for development of grassroots sporting talents in the state.