SWAN Tasks Ogun Govt To Upgrade Facilities In Stadia... Calls For Redeeming Of Cash Reward To Athletes

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has tasked Ogun State Government to take a step beyond the ongoing coverage of pupular spectators stand inside the mainbowl of the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, by upgrading facilities at the stadium and other stadia in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro, ahead of the forthcoming National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2024

The State Chapter of SWAN who  made the call in a communique issued at its recent maiden monthly Congress for the year held at the association's Secretariat at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta presided over by Secretary, Micheal Azeez Ogunsiji on behalf of the Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Akintunde ,however lauded the State Government for hosting Team-Ogun following their  successful outing at the last National Sports Festival held in,Asaba Delta State,but quickly appealed to the  government to redeem its cash reward  to the athletes 

Governor Dapo Abiodun had during the hosting of the contingents on 13th of December, 2022, announced a million naira for every gold won , N500,000 for silver and N250,000 for bronze while other athletes to the festival without a medal are to receive N100, 000 for their participation

SWAN in the communique signed by Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Abdulfatai Sobande, Secretary, Daniel Ademiju Idowu and Oyediji oluwaseun who served as a member, urged urged the State Government to start preparation for the hosting of the 2024 national sport festival in earnest while calling on the state government to partner the association to ensure successful hosting in terms of media coverage of the sports fiesta

The Congress also urged the State Government to start implementing both the sports commission and the sports trust fund laws to ease the administration and promotion of sports in the state

SWAN in the communique tasked the State Government to urgently  to provide basic training facilities and equipment at state's sporting centres for the athletes to train 

The association also  called on the government to provide maximum support for Gateway United Football Club to ensure promotion of the club from the second tier  Nigeria National League (NNL) to the top flight Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).