Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State for his investments in sports, while urging him to reform the sector and review the reward system for athletes in the state.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its congress held on January 30, 2026, in Awka, the state capital, SWAN praised Soludo for establishing Solution FC, Anambra, and called for enhanced visibility and marketability of the club.
The association, in the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Chimezie Anaso, and Secretary, Uche Ndeke, also reiterated its call for the construction of an Olympic stadium in Awka, citing the reduction of the proposed stadium site to a football pitch due to the ‘Fun City’ project.
SWAN congratulated Soludo on his re-election and urged him to deliver more people-oriented projects, particularly in youth development through sports.
The association also commended Soludo’s recognition of sports icons, including Ozomma Tony Nezianya, and called for a reception to honour them.
The communiqué read in full: “Communiqué issued at the end of the Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at MichRoyal Hotel, Awka.
“SWAN observed a one-minute silence in honour of the late Nobert Okonkwo, former Chairman of the Enugu Chapter of SWAN and Media Officer of Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu, who was buried on Friday, January 30, 2026.
“SWAN once again congratulated Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his victory in the November 8, 2025 election and called on him to surpass the records that earned him re-election by continuing to deliver people-oriented dividends of democracy, especially in the area of youth development through sports.
“SWAN reiterated its call on Governor Soludo to strongly consider providing an Olympic stadium for the people of Anambra, and Awka in particular, especially now that the venue proposed for the Awka stadium has been reduced to a football pitch due to the ‘Fun City’ project, another laudable public-interest facility.
“SWAN commends Governor Soludo for his investment in sports and urges him to rejig the sports sector and review the reward system for sportsmen and sportswomen to encourage more youths to engage in sports as a life-changing endeavour.
“SWAN commends Governor Soludo for establishing Solution FC, Anambra, and calls on him to position the club for enhanced visibility, wider acceptability, and viable marketability.
“SWAN commends Ozomma Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, and other sports icons from the Anambra Chapter on their deserved recognition for outstanding contributions to sports journalism during the 60th anniversary of SWAN in Abuja in October 2025.
“SWAN calls on Governor Soludo to consider holding a reception for these and other sports icons as worthy ambassadors of the state.
“SWAN restates its commitment to neutrality, objectivity, and the protection of minority voices for the sustainable development of sports in Anambra.
“SWAN commends the national leadership under Isaiah Benjamin for its purposeful and result-oriented leadership, which has earned SWAN a deserved place on Nigeria’s sports map.”
