NSF: Kano SWAN begs Gov. Danguje to release funds to athletes

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Kano state chapter has pleaded with the Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to make funds available so as to enable the state athletes to commence preparation for the 2016 National Sports Festival (NSF) slated for Calabar.

According to the body of sports writers in Kano, the era when the state put up a not too impressive performance at the Nigeria’s biggest sports fiesta should be brought to an end through early preparations, which could only be achieve through adequate and early release of funds.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its congress held at the Kano NUJ press centre, Kano SWAN commended Governor Ganduje’s administration for the establishment of the State Sports Commission and the appointment of former NFA boss, Ibrahim Galadima as the chairman of the commission.

“Performance in sports is all about timely preparation which hinges on the availability of right training atmosphere and equipments and motivation of athletes. We therefore appeal to his Excellency to crown his achievement in the sports sector by making funds available very early for the athletes’ preparation so as to propel Kano State to excel at the sports festival this year,” Kano SWAN stated.

The group frowns on the encroachment on sporting facilities, noting that, construction of non sporting facilities on sporting grounds would only spell doom for the industry. It urged the state government and all stakeholders in the state to rise in the fight against the conversion of sporting facilities to other non-sporting usage.

"The Kano State Sports Commission ordered that ongoing construction works by some cooperate and individual persons around sporting facility should be halted, we call on the state government and the commission and all stakeholders to join in the struggle to sanitise and protect this dangerous trend.  It is detrimental to our sports facilities in our beloved state."

The association also revealed part of activities leading to the final match of the 2015/2016 Inter Media House Football tournament tagged "Ganduje Cup", disclosing that Kano SWAN will on Thursday pay a visit to the Nassarawa orphanage home while the final match between ARTV and express radio would be played on Friday by 4pm at the Kano Pillars Stadium.