Ifeanyi Eduzor
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has condemned the litany of corrupt practices bedeviling sports administration in the country, even as it expressed worry over the poor preparation of the nation’s athletes before major international competitions.
In a communique issued at the end of it’s Triennial Congress held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from Sunday, October 6 to Wednesday October 9, 2019, the body noted that unless corruption is tackled headlong in Nigerian sports and athletes prepared adequately before major tournaments, the country will continue to play second fiddle at the international level.
The association also urged government and organisers of the forthcoming 20th National Sports Festival in Edo State to ensure that facilities are up to international standard ahead of the fiesta even as it further tasked its representatives in the organising committee to give a good account of themselves.
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On the election of new executives of the body, it commended the Electoral Committee for organising a transparent, free, fair and credible election that produced a new national executive led by Honour Sirawo and expressed confidence in his leadership just as it lauded the robust resolve of the entire membership of the association to resist moves from some quarters to subvert the 2019 National Triennial Delegates Congress.
The communique noted that the peaceful atmosphere at the congress venue is an indication that SWAN is ready to move to the next level under the leadership of Honour Sirawo.
The new SWAN Statute adopted in Port Harcourt created the positions of Welfare Director to be voted for at the national level while Zonal Secretaries and Zonal Treasurers would be appointed by the Vice Presidents of the six zones subject to NEC’s approval.
The communique also expressed appreciation to His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for his immense support for the association and commended his giant strides in sports and other spheres of development.
Meanwhile, the National President of the sportswriters body, Honour Sirawo has asured members that his second term will usher in a more robust association, promising that his government will be an all inclusive one.
Speaking shortly after he was sworn in alongside members of his new executive, he stated that the next three years of his leadership will be transparent, open and geared towards ushering in a more robust association which its members will be proud of.
