The Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), North West Zone, has called on the governments in the zone to release fund early to agencies overseeing sports to enable them commence preparations for the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF).
The appeal is contained in a statement issued by the SWAN Vice President, North West, Mr Rilwan Malikawa, and made available to newsmen in Kano.
Malikawa said the early release of funds would help preparations of the athletes, cautioning that delay in the release of fund would affect the athletes performance.
“We are appealing to the states in the zone to assist the young athletes who will be flying the flag of their various states at the biggest sport festival in the country,” he urged.
SWAN further urged coaches and athletes that qualified to participate in the fiesta to intensify their training programmes.
According to him, the region parades young and talented athletes who when proparly nurtured will make their states and the country proud.
The SWAN vice president decried the poor state of sports facilities across the seven states in the zone, urging coaches, athletes and administrators to work hard to make the zone proud at Edo 2020.
He however commended Kebbi State Government for the successful hosting of the Edo 2020 North West zonal eliminations.
