The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter has urged the Anambra Sports Development Commission to review its programmes and policies to address the declining fortunes of the sector.

The association made the call in a communique at the end of its June congress where it reviewed the performance of the state at the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The communique was signed by Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Chuks Ugokwe Daniel Ukpai, Chairman, Secretary and member of the communique drafting committee.

According to the communique, the situation where Anambra State fell far below its performance at the previous festivals in Delta and Edo states was not only unacceptable but unimpressive.

Recall that Anambra won two gold, six silver and 10 bronze in Abeokuta against six gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze in Asaba in 2022.

SWAN called on the state government to pay greater attention to the funding, training and welfare of athletes to check the exodus of most of Anambra’s best athletes to other states.

The body expressed dissatisfaction that only one member of the association was included in the state’s contingent to Abeokuta.

It stated, “We call on the state’s sports commission to review its programmes and policies as the strategy has not yielded the desired result. We reiterated the call on the sports commission to engender a better collaboration environment with sports writers.’’

The congress commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for personally attending the opening ceremony and sponsoring the contingent in the last National Sports festival.

It noted, “SWAN call for early preparation for the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Enugu State in 2026.’’

(NAN)