Gideon Iwueke of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on Saturday emerged as the chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu chapter.

Mr Iwueke defeated Nicholas Obisike of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) with 16 votes to seven at the election held inside the Enugu State Football Association (ENSFA) office after several postponements.

Speaking after the election, the chairman of the electoral committee, Andrew Nnebedum, urged the new elected members to take the association forward and unite all members.

“I am happy we had the election, which ushered in a new executive to oversee the association’s activities for the next three years.

“The voters have spoken, and that was the choice of the electoral body and members of the SWAN in Enugu.”

Chigozie Chukwulota, the South-East vice president, said Enugu SWAN had been the region’s bedrock and needed to have executives after three years in “exile”.

“This election is a long desired dream that came through for over three years, and it is more than an election but a reunion of a family,” she said.

She urged the new executive council to bring life back to the association in the state and to reach out to other members who pulled out for some reasons.

The new chairman acknowledged that the executive had a lot to do in taking the association to a higher level.

He promised to organise events and training for members to strengthen the association

“I believe by the grace of God and the handshake from the members, we are going to make sure that this comes to fulfilment.”

Mr Iwueke assured members that the executive would create a good relationship with the national body to ensure that members who paid get their Identification Card.

Members of the council include Chinedu Ikpechukwu of the SUN as the vice chairman.

Sabastine Adonu of Vanguard, secretary, Chibuike Peter, assistant secretary; and Chibuzor Nwoye of ESBS treasury.

(NAN)