Nasarawa govt pledges to boost sporting competition

From Daniel Abel , Lafia

The Nasarawa State Government says it would reinvigorate sporting competition in the state with the view to giving platforms to athletes to excel in their chosen carriers.

Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Dr Emmanuel Akabe, made the disclosure on Thursday in Lafia while playing host to Nasarawa State Council of Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Akabe noted that importance of sports cannot be overemphasise, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to revive it in the state to enable athletes move up to the peak in sports.

Dr Akabe said he would collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to ensure that all moribund sporting competition were reinvigorated and played annually or quarterly.

The Deputy Governor also promised to collaborate with SWAN towards promoting sporting activitied in the state by improving the welfare of sports writers.

Earlier, SWAN Chairman, Isa Mohammed, in the state who led other members on a courtesy call said the visit was aimed at partnering with the state government towards sports development.

Muhammed appealed to the government to reintroduce sports competition in schools as well as governor’s cup among others.

He also appealed that the association is been faced with logistics challenges and appealed that the state Deputy Governor should assist them.

SWAN FCT grieves over demise of Segun Ogunjimi

The entire members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, are still in shock amidst mixed feelings hours after their colleague Segun Ogunjimi died.
This was contained in a statement that was issued in Abuja Thursday by Secretary, SWAN FCT, Ikenna Okonkwo.

Ogunjimi, a staff of the Nation and Sporting Life Newspapers who was full of life was said to have slumped inside his house on Wednesday morning, and was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Mararaba, a bubbling suburb outside FCT.

One after the other, members of the association have been expressing deep sadness in torrents of tributes from Wednesday night.

SWAN FCT Chairman Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka who is still visibly shattered said he lacked words to pour out his feelings.

Comrade Chidoka who received the news of Ogunjimi’s demise immediately called off his routine activity on Wednesday and has remained sober.

“This is a very sad development. I can’t believe that Segun is no more. I don’t just what to say again. My only prayer is that God almighty should remove any form of grief from us.

“Why must it be Segun, a jovial, loyal and dedicated fellow, full of life and excitement all the time.

“May God grant him eternal rest. May God also give us, family members and all that are close to him the fortitude to bear this huge loss.”

Ogunjimi had served as the Treasurer SWAN FCT.

Until his death, he was the liaison assistant (FCT) to Sir Honour Sirawoo, National President SWAN.

The burial arrangement will soon be announced by the family.

Again NCS reschedules 20th Sports festival’s date

The National Council of Sports has announced another postponement for the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) till April 2021.

The festival which was billed to hold from February 14 to 28 in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has been shifted to April.

This latest date was announced at the end of the National Council of Sports meeting held via Zoom on Monday.

The sports festival, which should have held initially from March 22 to April 2, 2020, has witnessed several shift in date due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The festival after the March date in 2020 was shifted to December 2020 before it was rescheduled fir February 14 to 28.

About 11,000 athletes are expected to participate in the annual sports festival.