Sack your Sports Commissioner now, Imo SWAN tells Uzodimma

A COMMUNIQUE UNANIMOUSLY ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION  OF NIGERIA, SWAN, IMO STATE CHAPTER AFTER ITS EMERGENCY MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021 BASED ON THE STATE OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT SO FAR IN THE STATE.

As critical stakeholders in the business of sports development and transformation, we members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo State Chapter is constrained to bring to the notice of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo state,  Senator Hope Uzodimma, the misdemeanor and anomalies bedeviling the growth of sports in the state at all levels under the watchful eye of the state Commissioner for Youths and  Sports despite the good efforts of your Shared Prosperity and 3R mantra administration.

It is sad to note that the Sports Commissioner, Hon Dan Ogu appears to be on a clandestine mission to ensure that sports in the state dies under his watch following his nefarious activities   which has necessitated our clamour for his immediate sack or redeployment and an experienced sports administrator with passion for sports development and transformation named in his place.

In the world today no government can understate the importance of sports in her developmental and transformational agenda.

Thus, sports apart from its recreational role is also an integral part of government apparatus for social and youth development. Unfortunately, against this backdrop, Hon Ogu has completely failed in that direction necessitating Imo SWAN to call for his immediate resignation, sack or redeployment based on the following reasons;

1) His refusal to meet with all sports associations and coaches of various sports in the state with their athletes since he aasumed office as the Commissioner.

2) Absolute disregard for critical stakeholders, non tolerance of good advise and suggestions geared towards sports development and transformation in the state.

 (3) Getting involved in activities that will give room for obvious distractions in the sports sector in the state. Aiding and abetting factionalism within the state sports circle.

4). Not knowing what to do to inspire the sports men and women for optimal performance(s), due to lack of experience and passion.

5). Neglecting other sectors of sports in Imo state and instead focusing all his overbearing attention on Heartland Football Club for an obvious pecuniary interest. These have made other sporting activities in the state to be moribund.

6). Leaving room for confusion and uncertainties regarding Imo state’s outing at the forth coming National Sports Festival, with little or no activities in terms of preparation, tactically setting up the state for failure in Benin.

7). Underhanded practices and continuous undue interference in the running of Heartland Football Club, usurping the jobs of the GM, protocol, and even media officers. This is unhealthy for the development of the club and puts the club perpetually at the risk of sanctions from LMC. He is the Sports Commissioner not Heartland management.

8) Persistent refusal to interface with, and outright neglect/near insults to stakeholders and associations of Sports in Imo while ignorantly wearing the toga of Mister Pomposity and Know It All.

9.) Gross incompetence as several sectors in Imo sports are languishing in a state of comatose since his assumption of office and no meaningful efforts has been made or being made to resuscitate them, for instance, the award winning Grasshoppers, Heartland Flickers, Heartland Queens, no Basketball team, track and field sporting events, kick sports, indoor games etc.

Your Excellency with due respect and honour, we will not hesitate in boycotting/blacklisting the reportage of all sporting activities in the state and ask our national body to direct same if after two weeks as dated in the communique, Imo State Government fails to do the needful as suggested and advised. As Patriots and committed professionals it’s in the overall interest of the state and posterity.

Members of communique drafting committee:

(1) Sampson Orji (Chairman)

(2)Benny Naza

(3) Kingsley Anthony

Signed:

Chairman.

Secretary.