By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has expressed concern over the low performance of Team Anambra at the just concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Team Anambra which fell short of her impressive performance at the 2022 edition of the Sports fiesta in Asaba, Delta State where it won six gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze medals managed to secure two gold, six silver and 10 bronze at the Abeokuta

A Communique Issued at the end of the Association's Monthly Congress in Awka called on the state government to pay greater attention to the funding, training and welfare of athletes to forestall the exodus of most of Anambra's best athletes to other states that woo the with better offer.

The communiqué partly read, SWAN calls on the Anambra State Sports Development Commission to review its programmes and policies as the strategy has not yielded the desired result.

"SWAN called for early preparation for the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Enugu state in 2026.."

The Congress further reiterated the call on Anambra State Sports Development Commission to engender a better collaboration environment with Sports Writers, even as it expressed dissatisfaction over exclusion of members in the contingent.

It however commended haild the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for personally attending the opening ceremony and for sponsoring the contingent in the National Sports festival outing.

The communiqué was signed by the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, Ifeanyi Okonkwo; Chuks Ugokwe, Secretary; and Daniel Ukpai, Member.