The Ebonyi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has urged the state government to give greater priority to home-grown sporting talents and the rehabilitation of sports infrastructure to unlock the potential of the state’s athletes.
The association made the demand in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress held on Thursday at its secretariat, Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.
The congress, presided over by the state chairman, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha, acknowledged the support of the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru for sports development, particularly the establishment and backing of the state’s female football team.
However, SWAN said such investment must translate into tangible opportunities for indigenous athletes and footballers.
The association urged the government to ensure that Ebonyi-born players were adequately represented in the state’s female football project, stressing that the development of home-grown talent should remain central to public investment in sports.
The communiqué, signed by Nwogha, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee - Comrade Victor Chibueze Nwegede, the CDC Secretary - Comrade Nabob Ogbonna, and a member - Mrs Nnenna Mbah, said sustained investment in local talents would promote youth empowerment, talent discovery, employment creation and career development.
The congress also called on the government to move beyond football and develop other sporting disciplines, including athletics, basketball, table tennis, cricket, badminton, tennis and recognised traditional games.
It further urged the government to rehabilitate and strategically utilise existing sports facilities across the state, particularly the Olympic Stadium in Abakaliki.
SWAN said functional sports infrastructure was critical to grassroots talent discovery, athlete development, regular competitions and the production of athletes capable of competing successfully at national and international levels.
The association also called for stronger public-private partnerships in sports, urging political leaders, corporate organisations, philanthropists, traditional institutions and development partners to increase funding and technical support for the sector.
According to the congress, sports should no longer be viewed merely as entertainment but as a strategic tool for youth empowerment, job creation, social inclusion, peace-building and human-capital development.
SWAN also congratulated the newly appointed Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Chidi Onyia, urging him to consolidate existing achievements while addressing gaps in the state’s sports-development framework.
The association tasked the commissioner with prioritising grassroots sports, athletes’ welfare, talent identification, coaching development, infrastructure and regular competitions across various disciplines.
It said Ebonyi possessed significant sporting talent and infrastructure potential which, if properly harnessed, could make the state a competitive sporting destination in the South-East and Nigeria.
The congress further commended the state government for providing a permanent secretariat for SWAN Ebonyi, describing the facility as vital to the council’s institutional stability, administrative efficiency and long-term growth.
The association reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively with the government, sporting institutions and other stakeholders towards strengthening sports development and promoting professional and responsible sports journalism in the state.
