2022 NSF: SWAN identifies grey areas as festival closes

The activities of the 2022 National Sports Festival, held in Delta State has been examined by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

The evaluation is contained in a communique issued at the end of SWAN’ National Convention which took place at Asaba, on 9th December.

The event declared open by the Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Sunday Dare, was also had the  State commissioner of Information and Chairman sub committee of Media and publicity of the 2022 NSF, Mr Charles Aniagwu in attendance.

The communique reads: “

“1. Lauds athletes and officials representing various States of the federation for their spirit of competitivenes, sportsmanship and determination to win laurels.

“2. Commends Delta State Government under the leadership of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for hosting a successful Sports Festival as reflected in the provision of world-class facilities, serene and conducive environment for all participants.

“3. Calls for the setting-up of a National Data Bank for reference purposes and condemns poaching of athletes in order to encourage the development of home grown talents.

“4. Urges States to invest in talents discovery by organizing mini Sports Festivals and advocates punishment for officials/umpires who engage in sharp practices to serve as deterrence to others.

“5. Recommends medical and fitness certification tests on athletes from states level to Festival proper to check negligence that may result to unwarranted situations, as witnessed in the unfortunate death of a boxer, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, representing Imo state.

“6. Suggests the need to consider co-hosting of Sports Festivals by states in view of the present challenging economic situation in order to ensure timely hosting of the event every two years.

“7. Sues for the resuscitation of SWAN President’s membership of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) to entrench quality media service delivery and applauds Delta State for according Sports Writers comfortable working environment.”

Meanwhile, Delta has successfully won  the  2022 NSF, making the State a seven-time winner of the festival.

The competition lasted 12 days  among the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Delta confirmed their status as the number one in Sports in the country at the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba tagged “Delta 2022” .

Team Delta topped the overall medals table with a haul of 648 medals comprising 320 gold, 200 Silver, 128 bronze, while team Bayelsa dethroned Edo to finish second with a total of 337 medals, 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze, the highest number of medals won in the history of the state.

Edo was distant third amassing 339 medals: 78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze. Oyo State came 4th with 163 medals: 50 gold, 51 Silver, 62 bronze, as Lagos finished 5th with 172 medals, 41 gold, 57 Silver, 74 bronze. Rivers, Kano, Ogun and FCT all occupied 6th to 10th position.

Zamfara finished bottom with no medal, as Gombe recorded 6 bronze, Sokoto got 3 medals: 1 silver, 2 bronze.