The Ebonyi sports council has pledged to collaborate with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi chapter on development in the state.

The acting director of sports, Alep David made the pledge on Thursday when the state leadership of SWAN paid him a visit in Abakaliki.

Mr David said that the sporting successes recorded by the state cannot be mentioned without SWAN’s contribution as his leadership would leverage on their contributions.

“Your contributions in promoting sporting policies and activities in Ebonyi cannot be overlooked and this attests to the attention you are presently  receiving from the state government.

“You played critical roles in the resurgence of football in Ebonyi through the Abakaliki Football Club. This club shocked the soccer world by winning silver in the President Federation Cup in its year of formation,” he said.

He commended the association for its commitment to promote cricket which has become the sport the state has its highest comparative advantage.

“Cricket is firmly rooted in the state, being the sport which guarantees medals during regional and national sports events.

“Such was the guarantee hockey gave the state in the past but cricket has duly taken over. The sports council will collaborate with you to ensure a successful zonal cricket championship which you are planning to organise.,” he said.

The chairman of SWAN in Ebonyi, Ndubuisi Nwogha, thanked the director for the warm reception, affirming that the association would collaborate with his leadership to achieve overall sporting successes.

“We have been duly motivated to work with the sports council in effective reportage of sports in the state.

“We appeal that you expedite action in ensuring that the office allotted to SWAN is given to us immediately,” said Mr Nwogha.

A former chairman of SWAN, Chukwuemeka Opara, who heads the local organising committee for the zonal cricket championship, said it would commence in April.

“We are determined to host the best cricket championship in the state and call for the collaboration of all to ensure its success,” he said.

(NAN)