Aftermath of Imo SWAN Election: Former Chairman, Ezihe Reels Out Achievement

   

By Ike Njoku

Rotarian Everest Ezihe,the immediate past Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN,Imo State chapter,on Saturday May 18,2024 ,read out his achievements in his valedictory speech at the Imo Football Association Secretariat Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri.

Addressing sports journalists and guests at the event,the chairman thanked the members of the association for their unalloyed support and cooperation in three years of his administration and prayed God bless bless them.

He disclosed that it was not rosy especially at the inception of his administration, but with God on his side,he was able to withstand every storm.

He further hinted that within the three years of his administration and inspite of the challenges,his administration was able to make some remarkable achievements.

"We we're resolute in our determination of not taking any excuse for failure,thus for the period under my watch,we were able to re-position the association and achieved our goals and objectives"he said.

The outgoing chairman disclosed that under his administration, that the association collaborated with IMO FA for a seminar and workshop on match commissioning, adding that most of his members are certified Match Commissioners and have benefited immensely.

He equally revealed that for the first time in the history of the association,the Imo State government through the ministry of Sports and Youth Development engaged the association in the preparation of Road Map for Sports Development in the state.

He said that the association with him at the helm of affairs,made it possible for the government to sponsor 3 of her members to each of the National Sports Festivals as against one previously.

Buttressing further on his achievements,he said "we were able to issue more than 6 communiques that borders on constructive road maps for sports development and transformations in the state and the nation at large.These communiques were well publicized and yielded the expected results"

"We made it possible for late Ikechukwu Igboanugo,an amateur heavy weight boxer who died in active service to be given a state burial,the family compensated and an ultra modern boxing ring named after the by  state Government".

"To beef up our numerical strength as directed by the National leadership,we aggressively embarked on membership drive,in which 8 quality and youthful sports journalists joined the association.This is the highest number any administration of the association can get and admit in the recent past".

He further noted that the association under his watch attended all national activities, including conventions and congresses at no cost to members and that their impacts were appreciated.

He stated that his achievements were too numerous to mention, but because of want of time,he limited it to a few, pointing out that what's he termed as his greatest achievement was that the association under his leadership was bold,focused, courageous, and united,despite undue provocations by some members.

He thanked the members for their support and especially his executives for their doggedness and patriotism.

It would be recalled that the incumbent lost to Cosmos Chukwuemeka of Darling FM in a peaceful and keenly contested election.