SWAN Seeks Collaboration with Ogun State Assembly for Sports Commission and Trust Fund Implementation

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to collaborate on the implementation of the Sports Commission Act, which was passed by the Assembly in 2019 to advance sports development in the state.

In December 2019, the State House of Assembly passed the State Sports Commission Bill and the State Sports Trust Fund Bill to enhance sporting activities and youth development in Ogun State.

During a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly complex in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, SWAN Chairman, Comrade Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, emphasized the importance of implementing these bills to promote grassroots sports. He commended the Speaker for his efforts in advancing sports at the grassroots level and expressed SWAN’s readiness to work with the Assembly to achieve similar progress at the state level.

In his response, Speaker Elemide acknowledged the significant role of sports in job creation and youth engagement as a means of reducing societal restiveness. He highlighted the potential of sports to drive socio-economic development when effectively managed and urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to take swift action to implement the Sports Commission Bill.

Elemide clarified that the bills for the creation of the Sports Commission and the Sports Development Trust Fund were executive initiatives in which he played a role and emphasized the need for the governor to expedite the implementation process.

He assured SWAN of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s dedication to sports development and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the best opportunities for the youth of Ogun State.