Boxing Association Chairman Hosts A’Ibom SWAN Exco

By James Akpan

In continuation of the tour to the thirty sports associations in the State, the State Executive of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN led by the chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan on Sunday paid a visit to the State Chairman of Akwa Ibom Boxing Association, Mr. Daniel Udoh alias North-South.

The visit afforded the opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas on how to take sports to another level for rapid growth and development.

Setting the tone for the visit, the chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan told the host that the executive of SWAN was in his office for appraisal and evaluation to ascertain the achievements of the Boxing Association since its inauguration by the State Government.

Comrade Akpan said the visit is an ongoing exercise to ensure that the different sports associations operate according to its assigned mandates and pledged partnership.

The Host, Mr. Daniel Udoh (North-South) in his response lauded SWAN Executive for a painstaking approach to ensure that the effort of the State Government in setting up the sports associations was not in vain.

While applauding the State Government for its commitment in developing sports in the State, Mr. Udoh said attention should also be given to other sports such as Boxing and the like.

According to him, sport such as boxing is capable of fetching medals for the State, making reference to former Heavyweight Champion, Samuel Peter whose victory brought fame to Akwa Ibom in particular and Nigeria at large.

Mr. Udoh who described boxing as an expensive sport noted that through boxing, he has traveled to about seven countries.

The Boxing Association chairman maintained that Akwa Ibom has untapped talents that can represent the State in different sports at both national and international competitions and called for measures to be put in place to discover these budding talents.

He advocated for the transformation of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium into a sports city to accommodate other sports, stressing that such would help Akwa Ibom to secure hosting rights to the National Sports Festival in the future.

Mr. Udoh said the gesture would in turn boost tourism in the State and create employment.

He appealed for support from corporate organizations and companies operating in the State as the Government cannot achieve one hundred percent alone in sports development.

A former Vice President South-South, SWAN, Comrade Justice Udousoro described Mr. Daniel Udoh as a man with vision and passion for sports development.

Comrade Usoro lauded him for his readiness to partner SWAN in developing and promoting sporting activities in and outside the State.