Imo Youths Commissioner tasks SWAN on promotion of all games
Photo: Hon. Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, Honourable Commissioner for Youths Development and Talent Hunt(on Red Cap), Imo State pose for a group photograph with members of Imo SWAN immediately after a courtesy visit on Thursday.
By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt in Imo State, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu has charged the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) , to prioritize the promotion of all games in their reports.
Hon. Ukaegbu made the call Thursday while addressing members of Imo SWAN who paid him a courtesy/solidarity visit in his office in Owerri, the Imo State Capital.
The Commissioner expressed regrets that several sporting activities are neglected and are poorly reported in the media and enjoined Imo SWAN to change the old narrative.
He disclosed that his Ministry is working in concert with the Imo Sports Commission, Ministry of Sports, Football Association, Heartland FC and other stakeholders to tap the abundant talents of Imo youths in various games.
Describing his Ministry as one interwoven with sports, he explained that arrangements have been concluded to introduce new games like Scrabble, Chess among others, courtesy of the Talent Hunt arm of his Ministry.
Ukaegbu equally disclosed his Ministry’s partnership strategy with the Ministry of Sports to discover youths with different talents and skills various games adding that his Ministry has plans to organize a marathon race in the state for the youths.
He therefore thanked Imo sports writers for the visit assuring that it has opened a new chapter in the existing cordial working relationship with the ministry while craving for stronger partnership with the association.
Speaking earlier, chairman of Imo SWAN, Comrade Cosmos Chukwuemeka hinted that the visit was to familiarize the Commissioner with the new leadership of the association as well as seek his partnership.
Chukwuemeka emphasized that both Ministries of Youths’ and Sports are siemese and inseparable and must work in synergy to ensure the meaningful engagement of the youths in productive activities.
Describing SWAN as committed and dependable partners on issues of youth and sports promotion, Chukwuemeka advised the Commissioner to tap into the vast media space provided by the association to promote activities of his Ministry.
