SWAN laments state of sports sector in Ondo, calls for intervention

SWAN laments state of sports sector in Ondo, calls for intervention

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo Chapter, has expressed concern over the state of the sports sector in the state, stressing that the situation calls for urgent intervention.

While frowning over the dwindling fortunes of sports in the state, SWAN expressed concern that the state of sports is gradually slipping into comatose across the boards in the state.

According to SWAN, in a statement issued by the Chairman of SWAN in the state, Segun Giwa, and his Secretary, Joseph Adesuyan, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency in the sports sector of the state.

The leadership of SWAN emphasised that the continuous delay in the upgrading of the Ondo State Sports Complex has adversely impacted the training of athletes for competitions, particularly with the recent complaints of lack of funds and attention for other sports like basketball, volleyball, hockey, and handball, among others.

The association also raised eyebrows that the state-owned football team Sunshine Stars now plays all their matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, away from their original home ground in Akure Stadium, hence plunging the club into relegation scares.

SWAN said, “Sunshine Stars’ journey within the second week of December had been very rough, travelling around the country in a spate of seven days with a rickety bus.

“They played in Ikenne, Ogun State, penultimate Saturday, back to Akure on Sunday, and hit the road again on Monday to honour their rescheduled match day 13 against Enyimba International in Aba.

“They journeyed back to Akure on Thursday and arrived in Minna on Saturday afternoon to face a much-improved Niger Tornadoes the following day.

“In the same vein, the National Sports Festival beckons, yet there is no artificial track, good indoor sports hall, or healthy swimming pool to train athletes from the state.

“As a critical sports stakeholder in Ondo State, we passionately appeal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as a matter of urgency, to declare a state of emergency on government sporting facilities in the state for a quick turnaround of results.”