Imo Information commissioner tasks SWAN on promotion of local athletes

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri

Imo State Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Honourable Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba has charged members of the Sports writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo Chapter to prioritise the promotion of the state’s athletes rather than pushing foreign contents to the front burner always.

Emelumba who gave the charge Tuesday when he played host to the members of the association during a courtesy call in his office at the State Secretariat New Owerri, in the state capital.

The commissioner enjoined Imo SWAN to continue to project indigenous athletes from the state in good light noting that they can perform at the highest level if given the opportunity and needed moral and logistic support.

He stated that the good deeds of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma in the area of sports and for sportsmen and women is manifest adding that the Governor is sports friendly and always ready to support sports and other spheres of human endeavour with positive perspectives.

He congratulated the newly elected Executive Committee of Imo SWAN and assured his ministry’s readiness and willingness to partner with the association for the positive marketing of the sports and the state.

His words, “I want to congratulate the newly elected executives for a successful election and to also state that supporting this association has always been part of my duty and i can assure you that i will continue to support the association,” Emelumba stated.

“It is quite disheartening to note that some of our athletes are scattered here and there while representing other states but the most important thing is that government will always ensure that the right incentives will be made available to help them succeed, which you all can testify that the government of Imo state has been doing.

“Though for some of them, no matter the incentives, they might want to still represent other states so it is important for the athletes to have the passion for representing the state and that is when the level of patriotism is tested.

“The necessary things will be done to help encourage them. I’m sure you must have realized that the governor is a sports loving Governor and has always supported sports.”

The Information custodian in Imo State further apologised for the omission of sports category in the entry for the 2023 Governor Uzodinma Media Excellence Award while assuring that the mistake would never be made again in subsequent editions.

“The omission of sports category in the last Governor Uzodinma media excellence award i think was an oversight on the part of the organizing committee but having mentioned it now, we will ensure that it will be corrected this time.”

Honourable Emelumba also urged Imo SWAN to constructively criticise the state sponsored teams and technical officials who are not doing well for them to brace up and ensure the Government’s hard earned money is judiciously spent.

“Journalism can make on mar any state. SWAN should always try to encourage those local athletes doing well to help promote them.

“You should also beam your search lights on sports managers that are not doing well. This will help the government make informed decisions,” he added.

Earlier in his address, Imo SWAN chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka introduced the newly elected Executive of the Association to the Commissioner for Information, Honourable Declan Emelumba and he solicits for his continuous support to the Association.

Chukwuemeka praised the commissioner for the support and attention he has been giving to the association in the past and also highlighted benefits the association has got from the government through his office.

The chairman also noted with delight the efforts of Governor Hope Uzodinma in uplifting sports in Imo state and also pointed out the impact of the 3R administration of his Excellency including his passion for sports and the motivation to Heartland FC, Heartland Queens and other sports.

Chukwuemeka further appealed to the Commissioner for an opportunity for Imo SWAN to have an audience with the Governor which among other things would enable the Association and Imo Government to cogitate on how to move sports forward in the Eastern Heartland.