The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Plateau State Chapter has recognized stakeholders and key contributors to the growth and development of sports on the Plateau with Awards.
The Awards ceremony which held on Friday,6th of August, 2021 at the Eliel Event Centre, Gold and Base, Rayfield, Jos had the theme, “Rewarding Excellence in Performance and Contributions to the Development of Sports in the Communities”, had in attendance, Sports administrators, athletes and journalists.
Victor Lapang, the Hon. Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Plateau State, in his speech, while commending members of SWAN on the Plateau for having the awards, used the occasion to thank the Governor, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong for recently hosting the Athletes that represented the state at a banquet where he rewarded them with cash gifts. He stressed that it is not only Plateau State that loses athletes to other states, but that Nigeria as whole loses athletes to other countries, but emphasized that as a government they will ensure that the welfare of athletes comes first.
The event had a paper presentation by former General Manger of Plateau United and immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, Mr. Yakubu Taddy, titled, “Youths and Sports Development in the Communities”, where he admonished government for granting licenses to schools to operate in the state without a playing field or space to have any form of sporting activity.
He went further to recommend that government should create spaces for sporting activities in the city, as development has led to all spaces being occupied by buildings and other structures.
Earlier in his in his welcome address, the Chairman, SWAN, Plateau Chapter, Andre Bisyit while welcoming all the guests, used the occasion to appeal to the government to ensure that the state those not suffer from “athletes drain”, as the search for greener pastures has led to the state athletes moving to other states. He thanked the awards committee for putting up a befitting ceremony.
One of the awardees, James Amidu, the Chairman of Plateau State Cycling Association in his reaction said the award will only spur them to do more not just for the state, but for the country. He thanked members of SWAN for the positive criticism given to administrators as it has always kept them on their toes.
Other awardees include the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, the DG ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, the GM Plateau United, Pius Henwan, the Technical Director of Plateau United and proprietor of Golden Boot Soccer Academy, Ahmed Ibrahim(Coach Bros), coach Ismail Mabo, former coach of the Super Falcons amongst others.
