By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development Mrs. Agnes Atsu, has assured Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Cross River chapter of her preparedness to work together towards the development of sports in the state.
Atsu stated this when the leadership of the Association paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Calabar.
She noted that partnership with SWAN is important to my Ministry saying “my interest is in sports development in the state”.
According to her, “as a ministry, we do not know it all, so, any group that has an idea of things to be done to help develop sports in the state is welcome and we will work with them.”
“SWAN will be part and parcel of all my programmes. I need you to tell the world what we are doing”.
“We are about setting up some committees in the ministry to help drive our agenda and I need SWAN to give us one person that will work with us”.
“I don’t know how the relationship of the past sports commissioners and commission was with SWAN but for me, I believe we should be partners in progress and should help each other to be better for the overall good of the state, she maintained.”
She lauded the state Gov. Sen Bassey Otu and his wife for giving her the opportunity to shine through her service.
“I am elated to be the first female commissioner for sports in the state.”
Earlier, Comrade Mike Abang, Chairman of SWAN in Cross River had assured the Commissioner that the association was not in the state to confront anyone but to partner and support the ministry for the development of sports in the state.
Abang regretted lack of cordial relationship with the Ministry and Swan in the past. SWAN was not carried along in the activities of the commission and many things went wrong.
“In the last National Sports Festival, we were told that our state government was not interested and does not support sports development.”
“The present governor met with us before he was elected and promised to implement the National Sports Policy. We appeal that this is done because this will not only enhance sports development in the state but boost the state’s image, he said.”
He appealed to the commissioner to ensure that SWAN was carried along in all it’s activities.
