Onyeocha gives account of stewardship, thumbs up Governor Uzodimma for commitments in grassroot sports development
Photo : Imo SWAN members in a group photograph shortly after the interactive session with the State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Evaristus Onyeocha,(in the middle with cap and short sleeved blue polo).
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
As part of Imo State government Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra of strategically adhering to democratic principles and ethos, based on accountability and inclusiveness, Sir Evaristus Onyeocha, the Imo State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development has given his Ministry’s account of stewardship, even as he thumbed up Governor Hope Uzodimma for being committed in grassroot sports developments and transformations.
Onyeocha who on Tuesday held an interactive session with Imo State members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN in his office at the State Secretariat, along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri in which the State feats in sports as well as the challenges and way forward were discussed and x-rayed.
He decried the relegation of Heartland Football Club from Nigeria Premier League during the last season assuring that, soon the Governor will let Imolites be acquainted with the next way forward for the club, just as he said that the Heartland Queens FC, tried within the season but their efforts were not good enough.
The Commissioner reiterated plans to make both teams strong and formidable by overhauling the teams in terms of players, technical crew and management, so as to inject a passionate but resulted oriented teams, while expressing confidence on Heartland Queens FC feeder team that’s currently camping at the newly renovated Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Onyeocha who equally expressed happiness for the State’s participation during the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival sponsored by NDDC and hosted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital in which the State came home with 42 medals out of which 6 was gold, just as the State made exploits in National Sports Festival with 4 gold, 6 Silver and 28 bronze medals, and was an active participant during the 2024 National Youth Game, hosted in Asaba, capital of Delta State.
The Commissioner further informed that last year Zonal Elimination for Youth Games, that Imo State pocketed 9 out of the 14 gold’s of the tournament leaving only 5 gold’s shared among the 4 remaining States of the region, and efforts have been advanced for the State to travel this Friday for the 2025 Zonal Elimination at Enugu and predicted that the State will still emerge as the Zonal Champion.
He pointed out that the State is making exploits in sports both nationally and internationally, applauded Governor Uzodimma for hosting and rewarding 7 of the Super Falcons players of Imo State extraction that recently conquered Africa in women’s football as well as the 2 basketballers of which one is the captain of the team.
Onyeocha further disclosed that the Feeder team of Heartland FC is currently in Abia State for a serious tournament and they’re making exploits even as the State has also advanced plans to have her contingents storm Asaba for the 2025 National Youths Game, assuring of adequate provision for Imo SWAN to be in attendance and for coverage
The Sports Administrator who commended Imo SWAN for all their worthy while collaborative partnership also opined that the Shared Prosperity administration of Governor Uzodimma and his Ministry is well known for talking less and doing more, ” thus, Dan Anyiam Stadium has been renovated with street lights all around the stadium”.
He canvassed on the need to appeal to the Governor for reconstitution of boards of the various sporting association’s in the State so as to guarantee beehives of sporting activities, as well as the completion of the Olympic sized swimming pool behind Dan Anyiam Stadium complex.
Onyeocha pointed out that the recently organized U-13 football tournament organized by his Ministry discovered 55 good and talented football players that would still do exploits in the next 10 years if given the needed trainings and opportunities.
The Commissioner who thumbed up Governor Uzodimma for his commitments in grassroot sports developments, reiterated his Ministry’s efforts to reawakening Imo State Sports Festival, which he said is awaiting the Governor’s approval.
Responding , Mr. Cosmos Chukwuemeka, Imo State SWAN Chairman commended the Commissioner for carrying Sports Journalists along and assured him of their support and cooperation in achieving his mission and vision for sports developments and transformations, through grassroot harnessing of budding talents.
