The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, has emphasised the need for greater investment in grassroots sports to uncover hidden talents in the state.
Speaking at the one-year anniversary of the current SWAN executive committee held at the NUJ Press Centre along Makurdi Road, Lafia, on Wednesday, the State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Smah George appealed to governments at all levels and stakeholders to support SWAN members in identifying and nurturing young talents.
“We need more investment in grassroots sports to uncover the hidden talents in our state.
“Nigeria is blessed with immense talent that remains undiscovered due to inadequate investment in the sector.
“We urge companies like Olam Rice, Dangote Sugar Factory, and banks to support grassroots sports through their corporate social responsibility initiatives by building sports facilities and sponsoring tournaments,” he said.
He, therefore appreciated members for their support to the current administration and called for its sustenance.
In her remarks, Ms. Patricia Akawu, Director of News and Current Affairs at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, praised the Smah George-led executive for revitalising SWAN in the State.
“I commend the association’s initiatives to promote sports development and encourage members to support their leaders while focusing on grassroots sports reporting,” she said.
Also speaking, Juliana Ofoku, Zone ‘D’ representative of the Nigeria Union of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said the association has done well in the past one year.
She called on stakeholders to partner the association to help identify and nurture talents in the state.
Others dignitaries who spoke at the event include , Comrade Isaac Ukpoju, State Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, and Hadiza Umar, Zonal Trustee of the NUJ, who expressed confidence in SWAN’s initiatives and called for more grassroots sports competitions to identify and develop undiscovered talents in the state.
The Voice reports that SWAN members also took time to fraternise with themselves, playing games such as Table Tennis, Ludo, and Whot, while dining and wining, and charting the way forward for the Association.
