Some stakeholders in Anambra state have urged governor Willie Obiano to rescue sports in the state by appointing people with administrative competence to manage it.
Speaking at the Lecture/Recognition Night organised by the Anambra Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as part of its just concluded weekly activities, they lamented that sports had turned a forgotten issue even at elementary school level.
According to the newly installed patron of SWAN, Chief Emeka Egbogota, a Japan- based sports promoter, Anambra potentials were been under-optimised under the current order where there had been no school sports festival, state sports festival or a functional stadium for more than five years.
On his part, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, the proprietor of Rojenny Stadium, bemoaned that sports was left in the hands of private sector with neither support nor encouragement, urging sports managers to package programmes that would make Anambra born athletes champions anywhere in the world.
A lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Mr Chris Abakare, who spoke on “Importance of Sports Journalism to Development,” thanked private sector for intervening in sports facility and administration in Anambra and urged government to support them.
Others such as Arthur Ebunam, a former Rangers International and Super Eagles player said there was need for government to appoint experienced hands in the Sports Commission board as provided for in the Establishment Act.
Earlier, Mr Anthony Oji, chairman of SWAN Anambra state chapter, appreciated all the participants for honouring the event, assuring the the SWAN would continue to play its role in reviving Anambra sports sector.
