By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN), Ebonyi State chapter has held a successful 2025 sports writers’ week in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.
The event was attended by key stakeholders in the sports industry, including top government officials and students who came to make the event colorful.
In a lecture titled,“ Harnessing Sports Talents Amidst Dwindling Economy”, the guest lecturer, Dr. Emeka Mong, a senior lecturer in Ebonyi state University, stated that sports plays a key role in the health of every human, saying that sporting activities ensure a healthy life style and physical fitness. He used the opportunity to encourage people from all walks of life to make sports part of their life style in order to be free from avoidable diseases that may cause harm to them in future.
Earlier in his welcome address,the chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State branch, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha stated that the sports week grand finale marks a great day in the history of sports writing and reporting in Ebonyi state, because this is over 9 years that the union was almost gone moribund in championing the activities of SWAN in Ebonyi state, adding that the event was not only meant to celebrate the 2025 SWAN week,but also to cement the bond of oneness in the community of sports development.
He also used the opportunity to appreciate governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his unwavering support, commitment and development of sports in Ebonyi state.
In an interview with some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion, one of the stakeholders in the state, Prince Morice Mbam stated that the importance of sports cannot be overemphasized because sports has big role to play in the state, stating that it was relegated to the background before, but he is happy that it has been revived in the state.
“ It is now I understand the importance of sports, because it is being under played and relegated to the background, but now it has been revived, it will help the harness the talents we have in Ebonyi state and also be used to unite people together. I am sure that the governor will give them support for the growth and development of this state.
On his part, the member representing Abakaliki North in Ebonyi state House of Assembly who also doubles as the Chairman House Committee on Sports, Mr. Nwoke Chidi Victor expressed joy over the sports week, noting that he is highly delighted to be among those to be honored with award, saying that it is a round peg in a round hole, because he is in charge of sports and youth development in Ebonyi state House of Assembly.
In the same vein, one of the critical stakeholders in the sports industry, Mr.Ifeanyi Nwori said he is glad to identify with the Sports Writers Association of Ebonyi State, because it gave him an opportunity to express himself about sports development in Ebonyi state, explaining that Sports is one of the things that can promote us as a state.
Also speaking, the NUJ chairman in Ebonyi state,Mr.Samson Nwafor and Director General of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Cooperation,Mr.Tony Nwizi used the opportunity to appreciate governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for making the state proud through his unwavering support to sports development in the state, stating that sports will help to alleviate unemployment in the state and also create an avenue to harness sports talents across the state.
