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....As Observers, SWAN notice lack of support from Government.
By Taye Ogunjiobi, Abeokuta
As the 16th of May, 2025 date for the kick-off of the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games Ogun 2024 billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State is few hours around, information from Owerri, the Imo State capital shows that Imo state may not be participating in the festival following the "unavailability of fund and the unwillingness of the state governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma to sponsor athletes to Ogun State", says a source closer to the Ministry of Sports in the state.
Ikechuku Emeharabe who spoke to _festivalwatch.com_ said the State government has not shown any interest in sponsoring contingents to the festival, as the athletes were not even in invited to camping or briefing.
He also said that all efforts to reach the commissioner of sports in the state, Mr. Obina Oyeochaa to find out why nothing is being done regarding the state's participation has proved abortive as he is said to be always at the government house, instead of his office, struggling to get the governor's approval but without success.
"My brother, this is very painful. When the Torch Light arrived here and was received by the governor himself with beautiful words of assurances, we were all happy that Imo will attend the festival. But it's quite unfortunate that up till today, we have not heard anything, and not even the Ministry of Sports and his commissioner is telling us anything.
"So, from all indications, it seems Imo State will not be attending this year's Sports Festival. How many days do we have today? They said the governor said no money, while some said the governor is not around to approve our participation. All this is not encouraging to we athletes", said a paralympian who pleaded not to be mentioned.
The National Sports Festival is kicking off on May 16th, 2025 with almost all the states in the country attending. Imo with a low imprint in recent years in its sporting outings due mainly to lack of attention by the government will be likely missing out in this year's edition; a situation that would further push the State down the records level in sports development.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo State chapter has recently called on the Imo state's governor to direct efforts towards the development of sports in the state, even as the association wants an immediate release of funds for Imo athletes to participate in the festival.
In a Press Release made available to journalists Wednesday in Owerri, and signed by the SWAN Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, SWAN frowned at the negligence of sports in the state by the current administration, and appealed to the governor to immediately release funds for the State to take part in the festival.
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