Anambra Govt Partners SWAN on Grassroots Sports Development

By Our Reporter

The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to drive grassroots sports development and strengthen sports administration across the state.

The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, made this known when members of the Anambra State Chapter of SWAN paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Awka.

According to the Commissioner, the state government is working to revive sports at the grassroots by creating a conducive platform that will bring stakeholders together for effective collaboration and sustainable development.

“Efforts are ongoing to revive sports at the grassroots through the creation of a friendly platform that will enable stakeholders to come together and build strong partnerships for the advancement of sports in Anambra State,” Agha Mba said.

Describing the media as the lifeblood of every system, the Commissioner stressed the critical role of sports journalists in promoting sporting activities and achievements across the state.

“The media remains the livewire of every system. We will work closely with SWAN to ensure proper dissemination of sports information and showcase the achievements of our athletes and sporting institutions,” he stated.

Agha Mba further noted that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is intentional about youth and sports development.

“This administration is deliberate in its commitment to youth empowerment and sports development because we understand the immense value of sports in building healthy communities and creating opportunities for young people,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of SWAN in Anambra State, Mr. Chimezie Anaso, expressed the association’s readiness to partner with the ministry in advancing sports development and projecting the state’s sporting successes.

“SWAN is ready to partner with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in promoting sporting activities, celebrating achievements, and ensuring that Anambra occupies its rightful place in the sports sector,” Anaso said.

The SWAN chairman, however, expressed concern over the performance of Solution Football Club in the Nigeria National League (NNL), noting that many sports enthusiasts had expected the team to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

“Many football followers in the state expected Solution FC to gain promotion to the NPFL. We believe there is a need for greater community ownership of the club and more deliberate efforts to strengthen its competitiveness,” he said.

Anaso also advocated the development of local talents, calling for the emergence of more players from Anambra-based clubs in national football teams.

In separate remarks, SWAN Vice Chairman, Comrade Pamela Eboh, former SWAN Chairman, Comrade Emma Ndukuba, and the association’s Secretary, Uche Ndeke, urged the Commissioner to involve sports journalists based in the state in covering Anambra contingents during national sporting events.

They also called for increased government support for female athletes and greater investment in sports infrastructure and development programmes across the state.

The visit underscored the shared commitment of the Ministry and SWAN to fostering a vibrant sports culture, strengthening grassroots sports development, and creating opportunities for athletes to excel at national and international levels.