By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has described sports as a priority sector in his contract with Anambra people.

Speaking at this year’s Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week and End of Year ceremony held over the weekend at La Cruz Hotel, Awka, Soludo described the Sports Writers role as vital to the success of his government in the area of sports.

The Governor who spoke through his Chief of Staff; Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, on the theme: “Driving Soludo Solution Agenda through Sports”, said that a lot abound that SWAN could do to help the state achieve its lofty objectives in the sports sector,

According to Ezeajughi, sports was the priority sector in the governor’s contract with Anambra people, saying: “Theemphasis is not just on professional athletes but on building the ‘total man’ with physical and mental fitness through sporting activities in every part of the state.

“The Governor has demonstrated his good plan for sports by picking Chairman of the Sports Commission in the person of Patrick-Estate Onyedum.

“Onyedum, within the short time of his appointment, has led the state contingent to the National Sports Festival in Delta State where they came back with a total of 39 medals.

“SWAN has a massive role to play in what we are doing in sports and other sectors, communication is key, we need to communicate these activities through the mainstream and social media, you have the tools to change the narrative.

“There is a lot SWAN can do to help the state achieve its lofty objective in the sports sector. So on behalf of the Governor, I am inviting SWAN to be part of the solution team as stated in your theme; let us work together.”

He further harped on the need to sensitise people on the need to engage in sports, saying: “we need to bring back the standard of Anambra in sports. We have the talents. I am sure with your experience as sports writers, we will achieve that.”

The Governor’s representative explained that the Soludo administration was simultaneously pursuing its five policy pillars of Security, Law and Order; Economic Transformation; Social Agenda; Human Capital Development/Transformation of Government Works and Environment.

He described Anambra State as a huge construction site with over 251 kilometres of road being constructed across the state, noting that war on insecurity was yielding good results.

Ezeajughi added that security was needed for people to freely engage in sports in the communities, schools and stadia.

In his remark, the Chairman of SWAN in Anambra, Anthony Oji, assured that the body was ready to help the government succeed through good, unbiased reportage and constructive critiquing.

He hailed Governor Soludo on his choice of Onyedum as Sports Commission Chairman and appealed for adequate and timely provision of funds for programmes and assisting SWAN with a vehicle to function effectively during sports competitions, especially outside the state.

Oji also urged the Governor to support SWAN with an office space to enable members to cover the state effectively.