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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Hon Daniel Igali, has eulogised the importance of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to the development of sports across the country.
Daniel Igali made the assertion during the Bayelsa 2024 SWAN Week awards night to conclude the week-long events that featured Road-walk, football events, and indoor games such as scrabble, chess and table tennis.
Daniel Igali who is also the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, noted that the achievements of athletes and administrators in various competitions can not be widely spread and accepted without the support and reportage of the Sports writers.
“I want to start by giving kudos to the organisers of this events, each time we have our conversations in private I keep telling them that, especially in the areas of sports, if you don’t have SWAN and broadcasters, it is equivalent to a tree falling in the forest and if nobody is there you don’t hear the sound.”
“The Sports writers in Bayelsa State have done such a noble job of broadcasting the achievements of our athletes, umpires and administrators not only in Nigeria but to Africa and the rest of the world and I really want to applaud you.”
Igali, who was elated to be recognised by SWAN, dedicated the award to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for the conducive platform giving him to serve.
Igali reiterated that the state government is ever committed to changing the fortune of sports in Bayelsa, with its drive to improve sports facilities in the state.
“I want to dedicate this award to His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhurdjakpo for all the support they have given to sports and oftentimes when people ask me why we have been able to do the modest things we have done in sports, I tell them it’s because the governor who has worn the shoes as former commissioner of sports knows where it pinches.”
“As commissioners of sports, our duty is to ensure that we grow sports beyond what it was before we met it and our current goals are to ensure that we have the necessary facilities not only in the state capital, but Asoama and other parts of the LGAs in Bayelsa.”
Also, Igali confirmed that by the end of the first quarter, 2025 the Wrestling Gym at the Samson Siasia Stadium, which was put on hold for sometime will be completed as intensive reconstruction work commenced a few weeks back.
