Sports
Patron Tasks Rivers SWAN On Inclusive Administration
A foremost patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State Council, Nze Tony Nwaya, has enjoined the new leadership of the body led by Jim Udede-Opiki to run an all inclusive administration.
Nze Nwaya, who made the call in a telephone interview with Tidesports source in Port Harcourt said the new Exco should take a cue from their previous predecessors who carried both the patrons and members along in order to achieve set goals.
He observed that although some of the past SWAN Chairmen did not work hand in glove with their patrons, the time has come for Rivers SWAN to take its pride of place in the comity of Sports Writers association in the country.
The SWAN patron, who recalled that when the State was at its peak during the era of Late Clinton Thompson, Mr. Ebi Avi and Livinus Kiebel with the formation of CAIRA SWAN, the body was a force to reckon with as activities were organised and awards given to them.
The sports enthusiast noted that the long lull of SWAN activities in the state is over and further appealed to the present Exco of SWAN to be focused and visionary in order to bring back the lost glory of SWAN.
He opined that as a patron of SWAN, he is ever ready to assist and give his piece of advice to make SWAN in the state grow from strength to strength, while further calling on the new Exco to do the needful and ensure that Rivers SWAN bounced back to its former glory in the country.
According to him, journalists and indeed sports writers are the mouth-piece of the people, and therefore should uphold their integrity and job very well as information on sports is important.
Nze Nwaya also tasked the new exco to carry every bonafide member of the body along without any sentiment in order to succeed, while appealing to members to also give the Exco maximum support and co-operation so that sports and sports information would always be on the front burner in the state.
He wished the present Exco a successful and remarkable tenure as they look forward to first class information on sports development in the state.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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