ABEOKUTA– The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State Chapter has frown at the slow pace of preparation towards the hosting of the 2024 National Sports Festival in the state, while hoping that the state will not eventually lose the hosting right to Oyo state if it becomes evident that she is not ready to host.
The sports association also implored the state government to harness the potentials in sports to achieve sustainable peace especially in the area of insecurity occasioned by cult clashes.
SWAN Chairman, Comrade Micheal-Azeez Ogunsiji made the call in a statements to commemorate the 2024 international Day of Sports for peace development.
Comrade Ogunsiji who described sports as an important weapon to promote the economic well being of individuals said there is the need for the present administration to invest more in sports for the overall development in the state.
He appealed to the government to organize sporting activities among the tertiary institutions as well as secondary schools across the 20 local government areas of the state to bring about development and promote peaceful coexistence in the state.
The SWAN Chairman also encouraged the government to key into the activities of the association such as SWAN security cup, SWAN Media cup which he said were designed to sustain the existing relationships among various bodies in the state.
He charged the sports ministry in the state to embark on a talent hunt programme among primary and secondary schools in the state to discover abundant talents spread across the length and breath of the state.
Ogunsiji equally called on Governor Dapo Abiodun administration to invest heavily in the sports sector of the state and engage and put in place a thorough sports development roadmap that would position the state as a hub for talent discovery.
The Theme for this year’s international Day of Sport for development and Peace is, “Sports for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”.
