Calls for early preparations ahead of National Sports Festival in Ogun
The Imo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state’s poor outing at the recently concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The association’s position was made known in a communiqué issued at the end of its April general congress, held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
The congress, which took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, saw members of the association deliberate extensively on reports presented by journalists who covered the NDSF on self-sponsorship.
IMo’s Disappointing Outing at NDSF
According to the communiqué, Team Imo finished a disappointing 8th out of 9 participating states, a sharp contrast to the state’s traditionally strong performances in regional sports competitions. This poor showing, SWAN noted, came despite reports of over N50 million being disbursed to each state by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), along with an additional N10 million allocated to State Sports Commissioners.
The association highlighted several lapses that contributed to the team’s dismal performance:
Late Arrival: Team Imo’s delayed arrival at the festival reportedly impacted athlete morale and performance.
Poor Kitting: Athletes were inadequately kitted, an embarrassment that reflected poorly on the state’s image.
Funding Gaps: Some sports, including basketball, reportedly had no access to funds for training and logistics, undermining their preparations.
Training Denials: The refusal by the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, to approve athlete training at the Okigwe Township Stadium, despite the presence of tartan tracks, drew sharp criticism.
Media Blackout: The state’s contingent suffered from inadequate media coverage, despite available funds. SWAN decried the lack of support for its members, contrasting Imo’s neglect with other states that facilitated journalist participation.
Call for Government Action
In view of these concerns, SWAN issued a set of recommendations to the Imo State Government, urging immediate intervention ahead of the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Ogun State next month.
Key among the recommendations are:
1. Probe of Fund Disbursement: SWAN is calling on Governor Hope Uzodimma to launch a thorough investigation into how funds released by the NDDC were utilized.
2. Early Preparations: The association stressed the need for timely fund releases to aid athlete preparation for national events.
3. Facility Rehabilitation: Urgent upgrades were recommended for key sports infrastructure including the Dan Anyiam Stadium, the tartan track, and the Grasshopper Handball Stadium.
4. Athlete Development: SWAN called for long-term investment in athlete training and capacity development.
5. Media Involvement: The government was urged to actively engage SWAN members in future events to enhance visibility and documentation of the state’s sports achievements.
6. SWAN-NDDC Collaboration: The association also proposed a working partnership between the NDDC and state chapters of SWAN to effectively drive the objectives of the competition.
Commendation for NDDC
Despite the grievances, SWAN commended the NDDC for its initiative in organizing the sports festival, describing it as a visionary move toward grassroots sports development in the Niger Delta.
Signed:
Anthony Ahize, Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee
Athan Agbakwuru, Secretary
Tunde Liadi, Member
