ABEOKUTA – The Ogun state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has flayed the Ogun state government over what it described as poor committment to the hosting of the National Sports Festival in 2024.
SWAN in communiqué jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde and Secretary, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji at the end of its monthly Congress for May, expressed worried over the bad condition of the playing pitch of the mainbowl of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta which has been banned by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from hosting league matches and Mundo track which must be urgently fixed to demonstrate committment to the hosting of the festival come next year.
The association in the communique, however, commended the State Government for rehabilitation of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, urging the government to extend such rehabilitation to other sporting facilities at Alake Sports Complex and other Stadia in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro.
The Congress also commended the government for keeping the promise made to the athletes that participated at the last National Sports Festival but, however, frowned at the poor commitment to the proposed hosting of the next Sports Festival.
On the forthcoming election into the State Football Association, SWAN, stressed the need for the conduct of a free and fair election.
The association lauded the performance of Remo Stars FC in the NPFL and urged them to put more effort to qualify for the Super 6 where they will be able to qualify for a continental ticket.
Similarly, the Congress assessed the performance of the three (3) Ogun State teams in the second tier Nigeria National League (NNL )and commended Stormers FC and Ijebu United for their performances so far, but observed that the performance of the state-owned Gateway FC has not been encouraging.
