SWAN Bemoans Dearth Of Sports Devt In Ogun, Urges Gov. Abiodun To Assent Sports Commission, Trust Fund Bills

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has frowned at the snail speed of sports development in the state, describing it as unfortunate.

The sports writers lamented that despite the massive talents in the state and palpable love of the people for sports, it was unfortunate that the sector is still very much under-developed in the state. 

This was the submission of members of the association at inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive of the association in the state held at the NUJ press centre, Iwe-Irohin House, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. 

In his acceptance speech, the SWAN Chairman in the state, Hakeem Akintunde said sports development around the world was hinged on numbers of factors which include, Sports management and administration, facilities and equipment, Sports personnel, funding and sponsorship, institutional sports development, Sports competition and festivals. 

Akintunde stressed further that, to experience the desired growth in the Nigerian sports industry, there has to be an encompassing National Sports Policy which directly addresses the improvement of the above listed factors.

The SWAN Chairman argued that, since the state hosted the much glorified National Sports Festival tagged "Gateway Games 2006" and 2009 U-17 World Cup, the growing fortune of the state in sports promotion and development has gone into extinction.

He called on the state government and House of Assembly members to speed up the Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund Bills before the Assembly as a way of revitalizing the past glory of sports in the state. 

The new SWAN Exco members in Ogun state 

Also speaking in the same vein, the Lagos State SWAN Chairman, Mr. Debo Oshundun maintained that, the establishment of Ogun State Sports Commission would take away the burden of funding the sector off the shoulder of the state government

Oshundun added that, the Sports Trust Fund, as established in Lagos State, would allow professionals and private investors to drive the sporting sector of the state. 

Similarly, the Oyo State SWAN Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu appealed to the state government to partner sports writers in the state to reposition the sporting sector. 

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr.  Kehinde Oludare promised to synergize with the sports writers, assuring them of the state government's support to revive the sector. 

The commissioner, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths and Sports, Olamide Lawal, noted that the state government has always prioritized sports development in the state. 

He explained that, since assumption into office 14 months ago, the state government has successfully hosted the Abeokuta Marathon race and Remo Marathon race. 

He further explained that, the Ijebu-Ode International Stadium abandoned by the previous government has been rehabilitated with modern facilities. 

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated exco are Hakeem Akintunde, Chairman, Jonathan Adekunle, Vice Chairman, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Secretary, Lekan Agbonde, Treasurer, and Bayo Adegboyega, Assistant Secretary.