The Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has restated the resolve of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma’s administration to work together with critical sports stakeholders within and outside Imo State in order to fasten the development of Sports in the Eastern Heartland.
Honourable Okoronkwo who disclosed this to Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter last week Friday in a courtesy visit at his Ministry of Youth and Sports, Imo State Secretariat, Owerri office revealed that SWAN, Imo Chapter would be at the forefront of his administration’s desire to change the face of sports in Imo State.
He charged Imo SWAN members to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties in line with their profession’s ethics while also assuring them of Governor Uzodinma administration’s unalloyed zeal to move sports to greater heights through the Sports Ministry.
The Okigwe born Commissioner hinted that Imo Government has earmarked plans to ensure that various Sporting Associations are up and running again so that the state would be able to take his rightful place in sports in the country and even beyond.
“We are determined to change the face of sports in Imo State and we want to use Imo SWAN as the publicity tool through which all the sporting affairs of the State Government are reported,” Honourable Okoronkwo said.
“We know that all sports stakeholders must be invited to drive home the policy thrust of the Imo Government through sports. I want to enjoin SWAN to do within their capacity through positive reports to help change the face of sports in Imo State.
“Sports in the state is undergoing a revival since the advent of Governor Hope Uzodinma and I and my team have vowed to take it to another level.
“The state performance at the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State is just a tip of the iceberg. We shall continue to get better.”
While reacting, the Chairman, SWAN, Imo, Chief Everest Ezihe applauded the Commissioner for Youth and Sports gesture to change the face of sports in the state and he pledged the support of the bonafide Sports Writers in the state to help achieve that purpose.
Dignitaries that attended the occasion includes the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Imo State, Mrs Chioma Ibezim; Director of Accounts, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Imo State, Dr. Edith Osuji and SWAN, Imo Chapter.
