• Tasks Aiyedatiwa on stadium revival, early festival preparations, grassroots development
By Our Reporter
The Ondo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has issued a ten-point communiqué following its Congress held on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Akure, calling for urgent reforms, infrastructural revitalisation, and strategic leadership in the state’s sports sector.
In the document signed by the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Tosin Ajuwon (Chairman), Olabisi Longe (Secretary), and Adebayo Familoyo (Member), the association commended the State Executive Council of SWAN led by Chairman, Mr Segun Giwa and Secretary, Mr Joseph Adesuyan for their exemplary leadership and commitment to members’ welfare.
The association also lauded the Ondo State Government under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for its continued support of sports development, particularly the sponsorship of athletes to the recently concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
However, the Congress expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s performance at the festival and advocated early, strategic, and better-funded preparations ahead of the 23rd edition slated for Enugu State in 2026.
Despite infrastructural setbacks, the Congress hailed the athletes for their grit and medal-winning efforts, as well as coaches and officials who worked under severe limitations, including a lack of adequate facilities and training equipment.
A major concern raised was the deteriorating condition of the Akure Township Stadium, which forced Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens to play home matches outside the state, a factor SWAN believes contributed to the relegation of Sunshine Stars FC.
While acknowledging initial efforts by the government to renovate the facility, the association decried the slowdown and apparent abandonment of critical renovation works, including the playing pitch and essential amenities.
SWAN urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to personally visit the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure to assess the condition and demonstrate a renewed commitment to restoring the state’s sporting infrastructure.
The Congress also called for immediate resumption of construction at the long-abandoned new stadium in Araromi, Akure, noting that Ondo State, since its creation, still lacks a befitting state-owned stadium.
On leadership, SWAN appealed to the Governor to appoint competent, passionate, and sports-savvy individuals into strategic positions within the Ministry of Sports, Ondo State Football Agency, and the State Sports Council to ensure efficient administration and resource utilisation.
Furthermore, the association urged the 18 local government chairmen to invest in grassroots sports development by organising community-based competitions in partnership with SWAN, and to enforce strict disciplinary measures against officials involved in corruption or unethical conduct.
The Congress ended with a call for collective action across all levels of government and stakeholder communities to reposition sports as a tool for youth empowerment, talent development, and economic growth in Ondo State.
