Imo State Government pledges improved engagement with SWAN
By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The Imo State Government has promised to ensure stronger collaboration and support to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo State Chapter, through addressing the association’s needs to enhance the performance of sports journalists in the state.
Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, made the pledge while speaking when members of Imo SWAN, led by the Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the State Secretariat, Owerri.
Emelumba who described sports journalists as critical partners in sports development, promised to convey to Governor Hope Uzodimma, the concerns and requests of the association regarding welfare and improvement of sports facilities in the state for necessary action.
The commissioner noted that the growing influence of sports around the world has made the work of sports journalists more relevant than ever pointed out that sports development and sports journalism inseparable.
“I know that sports writers are very important because sports rule the world now. So whatever we can do to support this association, we will do,” he said.
He commended members of the association for their commitment to promoting sports in the state with the assurance that the state government would continue to work with SWAN in advancing sports communication and development.
On the requests made, the commissioner endorsed SWAN’s call for Heartland Queens to be honoured by Governor Uzodimma, describing the team’s President’s Federation Cup campaign as worthy of recognition.
His words, “Heartland Queens have made the state proud and truly deserve to be hosted by the governor. I will see how we can facilitate that meeting and also arrange your visit to the governor for further discussions. Most of the things you have requested can be done.”
He however advised the association to formally submit its requests in writing to the Governor for official consideration, while reaffirming his personal commitment to supporting the body.
Speaking earlier, the SWAN chairman, Chukwuemeka praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for his administration’s investment in sports, particularly the improved welfare package and salary review for players of Heartland FC and Heartland Queens, which he noted added a boost to their morale.
The chairman commended Heartland Queens for being the first South East team to reach the final of the President Federation Cup, and remarked the achievement as one that has projected Imo state positively on the national stage despite losing the final match on penalties to Nasarawa Amazons,
Chukwuemeka appealed to the state government to officially receive Heartland Queens in recognition of their remarkable 2026 President Federation Cup campaign and called for greater attention to sports development in the state.
The association used the opportunity to further outline the association’s major requests which included the allocation of a permanent office around the Dan Anyiam Stadium, restoration of the Sports Reporting category in the Governor’s Media Productivity Awards in future programmes, refurbishment of the Dan Anyiam Stadium with modern facilities, including a standard tartan track, provision of an official bus for the association and a one-on-one interface with Governor Uzodimma.
