Imo State Football Association has berated Imo State Sports Writers Association, Imo SWAN over their resolve to boycott Kun Khalifat FC matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
A statement by the football body reads: “The attention of the Imo State Football Association, Imo FA, has been drawn to the press statement by the Imo State Sports Writers Association, Imo SWAN where it claimed through a resolution of the Congress to boycott all publicity and media activities involving Kun Khalifat FC until further notice.
“Ordinarily, Imo FA wouldn’t have bothered to react to the statement but for clarity purposes, it became necessary to make this explanation.
“As a body vested with the powers to ensure security and protection of lives at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the NPFL Week 2 match between Imo State based Kun Khalifat FC and visiting Barau FC of Kano, Imo FA on the day of the match took proactive measures aimed at forestalling breakdown of law and order inside the stadium following complaints raised against Mr Cosmos Chukwuemeka, a sport journalist based in the state and Chairman of Imo SWAN.
“And based on the complaints raised against Chukwuemeka by one of the teams involved in the match which has capacity to snowball into security threat, Imo FA requested Mr Chukwuemeka to wait for the resolution of the matter before he was allowed in. It’s on record that when the issue was resolved with the team involved, Mr Chukwuemeka was allowed in to watch the game.
“It’s on record that contrary to the content of the statement by Imo SWAN alleging that its members were stopped from entering the main bowl, the initial restriction due to security procedure was only against Mr Chukwuemeka and not Imo SWAN members.
“Other Imo SWAN members including visiting journalists and media officers with the media crew of participating teams had access and undertook their lawful duties.
“Having been allowed to gain access into the stadium for the game, Imo FA considered the matter to have been resolved for all parties to go about their normal routine of duties.
“While urging football stakeholders in the state to exploit the peace and conflict resolution mechanisms of the Imo FA at all times, it condemned the hasty nature of rushing to decisions on matters affecting the round soccer game in the Imo without consultations with the football body.
“Imo FA shall continue to provide a conducive environment and platform for all stakeholders to thrive for the good of the game.”
