We'll Collaborate With SWAN For Sports Development in Enugu State - Lloyd

We'll Collaborate With SWAN For Sports Development in Enugu State - Lloyd 

By Emmanuel Chinedu 

The Enugu State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Lloyd Ekweremadu, has assured the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State Chapter, of its total collaboration in making sports thrive in the state, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

He made this known on Friday, while receiving executives of the Chapter, in his office, affirming that the administration of Governor Peter Mba is poised to revive the sector.

Appreciating SWAN for their visit, the Commissioner noted that, it will include the association in its programs, explaining that, the Sports Ministry will be purposefully and intentionally promoting sports in the state.

"You are not just telling me problems, but, we are discussing the solution, We will find a way to have a Sports Summit to fashion out an action plan that is implementable to move sports in the state forward," the commissioner said. 

"We're committed and willing to develop sports, You mention school sports; Our mandate is to bring back the program, so we are working with the relevant stakeholders."

Lloyd and his entourage have been visiting various government sports facilities to ascertain their current position.

"The Ministry will be purposefully and intentionally, we are going around to visit sports facilities under the state, Ultimately, as a government, we will collaborate with private stakeholders to add to the GDP of the state."

"This Ministry is here for all sports and not for Rangers, I have said it in almost all forums, so it's not about football," he explained. 

While speaking during the meeting with the Commissioner, The SWAN Chairman in Enugu State, Gideon Iwueke, expressed the reason for the visit and welcomed the Commissioner in his new office as well seek his collaboration for SWAN.

He reminded the commissioner that SWAN remains a middleman between the ministry and the people, and is always available at every sports event where it sets agendas for the government and sports stakeholders and educates and Informs the people.

Gideon further called on the Commissioner to come to the aid of the association in terms of mobilizing them for better productivity.

"The Sports Writers Association is a national body, and every state needs an office to carry out its affairs, SWAN also needs a bus to convey them to the event for the state," Gideon said. 

"While we need the Ministry to involve us in all their tour, We need an office, Enugu state games need to be covered, we need to report our events and not rely on others to source for our news."

"We are happy, you are a young man, We've been clamoring for a youthful Commissioner, and now we have it, We have always wanted sports in the state to be diversified, not just Rangers, because sports in the state should be majorly highlighted," he concludes.