In one of his sports revival drives in the state, the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, on Tuesday, met with the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Edo State Chapter, who paid him a working visit, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
The working visit led by the chairman of Edo SWAN, Comrade Kehinde Osagiede, metamorphosed into striking a stronger working relationship between the Commission and the sports writers in moving sports forward in the state and making it an envious template for other states.
Comrade Kehinde, in his speech, commended the chairman on his great work so far since coming to office, seven months ago, noting that the achievements so far are laudable and worthy of commending.
As part of his statement, he noted that SWAN and sports administrators are inseparable entities who function on each other —without the sports, journalists cannot function and without the journalists, whatever is done in sports by athletes and administrators would not he known by the world.
Kehinde, on behalf of the Association, while pinpointing areas that need attention in further fuelling of great sports development and partnership with the Association, assured the Commission of its full support in promoting sports in the state and recommending what may be required to help the Commission’s vision and mission statements.
“We are proud of your achievements, particularly your policy against the poaching of athletes and your commitment to grassroots development, which is already yielding positive results for Edo State. Your achievements have also attracted commendations from the National Secretariat of SWAN. One of the reasons for our visit is to strengthen our partnership and cement our ties, because we are partners in progress,” he said.
Responding to the Association’s statement, Hon. Enabulele thanked them for the visit and congratulated them for the visit, though they are people he knows very well, but said he was happy seeing them come together as the Association’s leadership.
The chairman assured the body of the commission’s support and great synergy.
“Our partnership is already well-established, your chairman is with us, but we will make it stronger. I pledge to continually identify with Edo SWAN, to support their initiatives, and to consolidate on our existing collaboration. As far as sports development in Edo is concerned, we are in it together,” he quipped
Present at the meeting amongst the Sports Commission officials were Mr Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Executive Director, Edo South), Mrs Sabina Chikere (Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations), and Barr Walter, Executive Director, Edo Central.
The SWAN team, alongside its chairman, included Idahosa Moses (Secretary General), Nosa Igunma (Treasurer), Joseph Kanjo (Financial Secretary), Mansa Ayoola Adeleke (Assistant Secretary), Dr Salihu Ibrahim (Ex-Officio), and Desire Edogahe, a Member.