In a celebration of youth intellect and sports advocacy, the Ebonyi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has awarded cash prizes to winners of its 2025 Essay Competition. The contest formed a major highlight of the 2025 SWAN Week, held in Abakaliki.
The competition drew entries from secondary schools across the state, showcasing a rich blend of creativity and analytical thought among students.
Miss Okuh Deborah of Girls High School, Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki, emerged as the overall winner, receiving a ₦50,000 cash prize. Her schoolmate, Miss Ukwa Amarachi, clinched second place with ₦30,000, while Master Maximus Orebe of Government Technical College, Abakaliki, took third position, earning ₦20,000.
During the prize presentation ceremony, the Chairman of Ebonyi SWAN, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha lauded the participants for their exceptional submissions, noting that many had no prior exposure to sports journalism.
“These students not only impressed us with their writing prowess, but also demonstrated a deep understanding of how education and sports development intersect,” the Chairman said.
“It’s a call to action for young people to view sports not merely as physical activity, but as a platform for career growth and national impact," Nwogha further stated.
He said the event underscored the growing synergy between education and sports in Ebonyi State, particularly under the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, a celebrated novelist and vocal advocate for sports development.
The SWAN Chairman commended the Governor Nwifuru-led administration for investing richly in grassroots sports, citing recent achievements by Ebonyi athletes at national competitions.
He revealed plans to expand future editions to include more schools and a broader range of thematic areas.
School administrators present, including Mrs. Osundu Chibuike Amaka, Vice Principal (Admin) of Girls High School Azuiyiokwu, and Mrs Chukwu Obeni Chinyere of Government Technical College, commended SWAN’s commitment to youth development.
“When this initiative was first introduced, we embraced it with cautious optimism. Today, we are proud to witness an association that delivers on its promises. This initiative will inspire more students to take sports journalism seriously," Osundu said.
Mr. Eneh Dennis, a moral instructor at Government Technical College, used the opportunity to urge the state government to revive inter-school sports competitions, stressing their role in reducing youth restiveness and unlocking economic opportunities.
The awardees, visibly excited, described the recognition as a motivational boost toward academic and extracurricular excellence.
Both Miss Deborah and Master Orebe expressed interest in pursuing careers in journalism and sports, thanking SWAN for the platform.
They affirmed that the 2025 SWAN Essay Competition marked a significant milestone in the association’s ongoing efforts to promote sports education and talent development in Ebonyi State.
