COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2016 NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
Press Releases October 9, 2016 admin
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2016 NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (SWAN) HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29 AT THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, KWARA STATE DURING THE 2ND EDITION OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES
After an exhaustive deliberation on the present state of sports in Nigeria, the Convention resolves as follows:
1. That sports, besides participation, is a tool for unity, tourism, wealth creation, international recognition and diplomacy; consequently, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take decisive steps on the incessant court cases plaguing the country’s football administration, which have contributed to a downturn in international rating and caution sports writers on their involvement.
2. There should be transparent management of sponsorship funds, while corporate organisations and wealthy individuals should invest in sports in Nigeria, instead of channelling their resources towards patronising foreign sporting ventures and implore the Federal Government to further create conducive atmosphere for sports to thrive.
3. We commend Nigeria’s athletes to the 2016 Rio Paralympics for excellent performance in the midst of challenges, and attribute the under-performance of the country’s contingent to the 2016 Rio Olympics to lack of adequate preparations, late release of funds and ageing athletes.
4. We laud the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for rekindling the National Youth Games as a veritable tool for the discovery of budding talents, that should be nurtured for international competitions and frown at the non-participation of as many as 15 states in the Games.
5. We commend the Shehu Dikko-led League Management Company (LMC) for an improved football league season and the bail-out given to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), as well as initiatives towards fast-tracking football development in Nigeria, but task the company on match officiating.
6. We call on Nigerians to see Super Eagles’ qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as a national project to be supported by all and sundry.
7. We charge the Federal Government and Cross River State to be definite on the date for the long overdue 19th National Sports Festival, as the incessant postponement is becoming injurious to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria.
SIGNED
ADEBOYE AJAYI
(Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
(Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
SIGNED
JASPER E. OKORO
(Secretary, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
(Secretary, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
SIGNED
ABDULRAHEEM AODU
(Member, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
(Member, Communiqué Drafting Committee)
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