Top officials of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, South East chapter have lauded Imo state Government for the infrastructural development at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri , the revival of Heartland Queens and the State’s Improved performance at the last National Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State.
The South East body through its Vice President, Ms Chigozie Chukwuleta in a courtesy call to the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu also used the medium to beckon on Imo Government to ensure that other sporting teams such as Grasshoppers Handball team, Heartland Flickers Hockey team who at some point were African Champions and other sports are revived.
The South East SWAN leadership that was made up of exco members drawn from Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states also pleaded with the state government for support on their plan to host the SWAN National Congress later in the year while also adding that the Governor has already been earmarked to be decorated by the body for his contributions towards the development of sports in the state.
“We are happy with the beautiful state-of-the-art facilities at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. The VIP section and the State Box of the stadium are wearing a new look while the recent revival of the Heartland Queens who narrowly missed a return ticket to the NWFL Premiership have not gone unnoticed by us,” the VP SWAN South East, Ms Chukwuleta stated.
“We are also eulogising the State Government for the commendable performance of Team Imo at the recently held National Sports Festival. We know that a lot is being done to put the State in the spotlight in sports and other facets of human endeavour and it is in this light we are admonishing the Imo Government to also pay attention to other sports that have delivered laurels for the state in the past.
“Heartland Flickers (Hockey)and The Grasshopper(Handball Team), Wrestling, Weightlifting among others are sports that have brought Imo to the limelight within Nigeria and internationally. We will like them to be given more attention too.
“We will also like to appeal to the Imo Government to help with the hosting of this year’s full council meeting. We will also use the occasion to reward the contributions of the Governor towards sports in the state.”
While speaking after the delivery of the SWAN VP, South East, Imo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker and House Committee Chairman on Sports, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu revealed that one of the greatest achievements of the Shared Prosperity Government of Senator Hope Uzodinma is on Sports.
The Nwangele State Constituency lawmaker who made this disclosure on Tuesday during a parley with executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, South East Zone expressed gratitude to the sports pen pushers for their reports which according to him has always put them on the edge to do more.
He listed the achievements of the 3R administration including the well refurbished/equipped indoor sports hall, state of the art State box at the Dan Anyiam stadium and the renovation work especially the pitch that can comfortably host an international game.
“We must work with SWAN as partners to touch all the facets of sports in the state. We are building an Olympic Size Swimming pool for national and international events.
“The government as soon as it gets approval shall commence renovation work at the Grasshoppers Int’l stadium to reinvigorate Handball as well as other sports as part of our determined efforts to reposition sports in the state.”
Other South East Exco members at the event includes, Mr Foster Chime (Ex -Officio), Mr Orji Sampson (National Financial Secretary), Prince Vincent Obike (Abia SWAN Chairman), Everest Ezihe (Imo SWAN Chairman), Caretaker Chairmen of Ebonyi and Anambra States among others.
