Imo Swan increases the alarm compared to the team’s performance at the ENSF

It requires the first preparations in view of the National Sports Festival in Ogun

The chapter of the IMO State of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Swan) expressed profound dissatisfaction with the poor trip of the State at the Niger Delta Festival (NDSF) recently ended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The position of the Association was made known in a press release issued at the end of his General Congress in April, held at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

The Congress, which took place on Tuesday 15 April 2025, has widely seen the members of the association on reports presented by journalists who covered the NDSF on self -awareness.

IMO’s disappointing output on NDSF

According to the press release, the IMO team ended a disappointing eighth out of 9 participating states, a clear contrast with the traditionally strong services of the state in regional sports competitions. This poor demonstration, observed Swan, has arrived despite the news of over 50 million nericlets in each state from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), together with an additional N10 million assigned to state sports commissioners.

The association has highlighted several drops that contributed to the sad performance of the team:

Arrival late: The delay of the arrival of the IMO team at the Festival had an impact on the athlete’s moral and performance.

Poor Kitting: the athletes were inadequately giaty, an embarrassment that reflected badly on the image of the state.

Financing gaps: some sports, including basketball, according to what reported did not have access to funds for training and logistics, undermining their preparations.

Denial of training: the refusal by the Commissioner for Sport, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, to approve the training of athletes at the Okigwe Township stadium, despite the presence of tartan tracks, has aroused strong criticisms.

Media blackout: the state contingent suffered from inadequate media coverage, despite the available funds. Swan denounced the lack of support for its members, contrasting the negligence of IMO with other states that facilitated the journalist’s participation.

Call the government’s action

In light of these concerns, Swan has issued a series of recommendations to the IMO state government, urged immediate intervention in view of the National Sports Festival scheduled for the next month.

The key between the recommendations are:

1. Fund’s supply probe: SWAN asks the Governor to hope that Uzodimma launch an in -depth investigation on how the funds issued by the NDDC have been used.

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4. Development of athletes: Swan required long -term investments in the training of athletes and in the development of skills.

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6. SWAN-NDDC COLLABORATION: The Association has also proposed a work partnership between the NDDC and SWAN’s state chapters to effectively guide the objectives of the competition.

Praise for nddc

Despite the complaints, Swan praised the NDDC for his initiative in the organization of the Sports Festival, describing it as a visionary move towards basic sports development in the Niger delta.

Signed:

Anthony Ayize, President, Committee for the drafting of the press release

Athan Agbakwuru, secretary

Tunde Liadi, member

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