Sports development : Imo Sports Commissioner thumbs up SWAN
Photo: Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo, the Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports (2nd right)Chairman of Imo SWAN, Rotn. Everest Ezihe (Right), Ferdinand Okoronkwo, Director of Sports (left) and Mr. Chris Abazim, a veteran Sports Journalist.
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo, Imo State Commissioner for Sports has applauded members of Imo State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN for being critical factor in the feats his administration has achieved, in terms of sports development and transformation barely six months of his assumption of office.
Okoronkwo disclosed this on Thursday while playing host to the Sports Journalists in his office at the State Secretariat along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.
He commended the association members for their constructive and objective reportage and criticisms which he said always put them on their toes for doing the right things in the overall development and transformation of the state sporting activities and potentials.
The Commissioner also thanked the Sports Journalists for their participation in the voting of the State darlyn club, Heartland FC which he attested that it contributed immensely in making the club to qualify for the forthcoming DSTV 2023 Nigeria Super 8 Cup Competition.
He equally expressed gratitude that Heartland FC also qualified for Nigeria National League, NNL Super 8 and their qualification in the competition’s forthcoming Best 4 will automatically qualified them bouncing back to the Nigeria premier league as they envisaged.
Okoronkwo who further informed that Heartland FC will play their last NNL match on the 10th of this month at home (Owerri) with Abia Comets prayed for the team to emerge victorious so as to keep to their unbeaten historical record of the season.
He equally expressed satisfaction with the exploits of Heartland Queens FC, Owerri in their first ever outing for the Nigeria Women League, NWL but canvassed the need for an immediate overhauling of the team and her management for further productivity and results.
The Commissioner informed the Sports Journalists of the State preparedness in hosting the 2023 National Division 1 and 2 leagues at the newly rehabilitated Volley Ball Pitch of Dan Anyiam International Stadium Complex, Owerri starting from Saturday 3rd June to Monday 12th June, 2023.
He passionately solicited for the sustenance and improvement of the mutual collaborative partnership with SWAN members, in his Ministry’s vision and passion of revolutionizing sports in the State through the grassroots sports revival and harnessing of talents.
Adding his voice, Mr. Ferdinand Emeana, the Director of Sports, Imo State Sports Commission also commended Imo SWAN members for being a catalyst in the State overall objectives for sports development and transformations.
Emeana described the State Commissioner of Sports as a humble but quite goal getter with passion for the job, noting the essence of the meeting as to ensure that all critical stakeholders are in one page for the Ministry and the Commission’s vision and mission of upliftment of the State through sports.
He reiterated the need for SWAN to sustain their vanguard role of sports promotion through objective and constructive reportage, especially the forthcoming National Volly Ball leagues been hosted by the State for the first time in recent history.
Speaking, Rotn. Everest Ezihe, the Imo State Chairman of SWAN thanked the Commissioner for being appreciative, accommodating and compassionate in execution of his duties.
Ezihe while thanking him for carrying members of the Association along in all his sporting endeavours assured him of the association’s willingness to work with him.
The Chairman lauded the commissioner for the feats he has achieved since his appointment 6 months ago and enjoined him not to relent despite the challenges.
