By Israel Mbam
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Southeast Zone has urged the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) to use sports as a tool for socioeconomic development of the region.
Ikem Asika, Vice President of Southeast Zone made the call in congratulatory message to the board and management of SEDC led by Dr Emeka Nworgu and Mark Okoye as Chairman and Managing Director respectively on Wednesday.
Asika who also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for setting up the Commission said it was an opportunity for the people of the region to address the development challenges of the various sectors including sports .
He said Southeast was blessed with talented sportsmen and sportswomen and that giving them the platform to explore the opportunities in sports would not only reduce insecurity but increase economic prosperity of households.
“The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) congratulates you on the successful inauguration as the Managing Director, Southeast Development Commission.
“We also extend our warm felicitations to the Chairman, Dr Emeka Nworgu and other members of the board,
“We are proud of you and are confident that you will do justice to your mandate of charting a new development and reconstruction course for the Southeast region.
“As a youth and lover of sports, we have no doubt that you appreciate the importance of sports in any society and its implication to the economy .
“We therefore hope that SEDC will consider sports as a critical catalyst for achieving its goals and objectives as well as explore its enormous social cohesion and economic values,” he said.
He said SWAN Southeast Zone was available and willing to partner SEDC in driving its agenda for sports in the overall interest of youths and the region.