The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter recently held the 2023 SWAN Week Lecture/Award Night in Awka.
During the event, the chairman of the Association in the state, Chimezie Anaso, expressed his admiration for the progress of the sports sector in Anambra, particularly at the grassroots level.
The SWAN Week is an annual event that marks the end of the association’s activities and provides stakeholders with the opportunity to evaluate activities in the sector during the outgoing year and set the agenda for the coming year.
Anaso commended the Anambra Government for its commitment to sports development by reviving school sports, achieving success at the National Youth Games, forming a state-owned football club, and organizing the just-concluded traders’ competition.
He pledged that as the sporting press, they would continue to commend positive actions and provide constructive criticisms where necessary.
He also promised to uphold the principles that make SWAN a professional body, pay attention to capacity building for members, and further entrench themselves as critical stakeholders in the Anambra sports sector.
During the event, Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), delivered a lecture on grassroots sports development.
He described grassroots sports as a process of identifying, nurturing, and supporting young athletes who lack the necessary resources, facilities, and opportunities to excel.
Nezianya stressed the importance of grassroots sports development, saying it would activate the abundant talents of Anambra and Nigerian youth in general and provide a platform for these young individuals to grow and flourish.
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Nezianya called for increased investment and active collaboration between the government and the private sector to develop the sector.
He also emphasized the need for the provision of sports infrastructure in sufficient quantity and quality, access to quality coaching, sports medicine, and professional guidance.
He highlighted that proper training and talent identification are essential to groom young athletes to compete at national and international levels.
The event also saw the recognition of individuals and associations who have impacted positively on the growth and development of sports in Anambra.
CP Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra Command, received an award of recognition for his contributions to sports development in the state by creating a safe environment for sports to thrive.
Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot, was recognized for sponsoring the Odiofele Football competition in his community, Ekwulummiri, for years.
The Anambra Cricket Association, under the chairmanship of Chuma Anosike, was honoured with an award for the Most Grassroots Oriented Sports Association for introducing the game in many secondary schools in the state.
Obini Onuchukwu, Acting Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, was installed as patron of Anambra SWAN during the event.
