The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter has urged the Anambra Sports Development Commission to review its programmes and policies with a view to addressing the declining fortunes of the sector.
The association made the call in a communique at the end of its June congress where it reviewed the performance of the states at the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun.
The communique was signed by Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Chuks Ugokwe Daniel Ukpai, Chairman, Secretary and Member of the Communique Drafting Committee .
Accodidng to the commujique, the situation where Anambra fell far below its performance at the previous festivals in Delta and Edo was not only unacceptable but unimpressive.
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Anambra won two gold, six silver and 10 bronze in Abeokuta against six gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze 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 of the association was included in the state’s contingent to Abeokuta.
“We call on the state’s sports commission to review its programmes and policies as the strategy has not yielded the desired result.
“We 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
NAN / Adukwu Williams, Lagos