By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Comrade Isaiah Benjamin has applauded the Delta State Government for its commitment to Sports development.
The President accompanied by members of the National Executive Council said Delta State had shown that it was the leader in Nigerian sports saying with the hosting of the 7th edition of the National Youth Games the State had taken the Youth Games a notch higher.
According to Comrade Benjamin the State had become a haven for sportsmen and women saying the ongoing National Youth Games had raised the stakes saying it is now on record as the most attended Youth Games by journalists from within and outside the State.
He also commended the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa for his adroitness and commitment to grassroots sports development saying his time at the helm of Delta State Sports Commission had made the state the dominant force in the Nigerian Sports sector.
Comrade Benjamin however urged journalists covering the games to give it adequate reportage as the games was an avenue for national integration and unity as well as a platform for the discovery of future talents for the country.
The Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission Chief Tonobok Okowa assured that he would continue to grow the grassroots sports sector saying sports was a passion and way of life. Chief Okowa thanked the SWAN President and members of NEC as well journalists covering the games for the quality reportage and urged them to shun divisive tendencies that would undermine the positives of the games.
He said the National Youth Games was key to placing Nigeria on the right pedestal for international greatness.
Chief Okowa who is also the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria urged the various participating teams to compete clean and fair and warned those seeking to win at all cost by fielding over aged athletes to desist as that would be counter productive for the athlete.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of Certificate and a plaque in recognition of Chief Okowa’s performance in the Nigerian sports space since taking the reins at the State Sports Commission and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN.
