SWAN Secondary Schools Sports Opens: KDSG Declares Readiness to Partner Sports Enthusiasts
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna North-West, NIGERIA
The Kaduna State Government has expressed its willingness to always partner associations and organizations sponsoring sporting competitions at the grassroots.
This revelation was made by the Commissioner Youth Sports and Culture, Kaduna State, Honourable Daniel Danauta while declaring open the maiden Kaduna Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Secondary Schools Indoor Sports Competition at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Wednesday November 14, 2018.
He explained that such avenues present not just the state, but Nigeria, an opportunity of harnessing talents from the grassroots.
The Commissioner who was represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Waziri Yohanna, charged the participants to compete fairly.
“I charge you all to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship. I hereby declare this competition open,” he declared.
In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator North West, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Olusola Luke urged all the participants to put in their best while competing.
Represented by Senior staff in the zone, Abdullahi Idris, he explained that by putting in their best and distinguishing themselves they will be harnessed for national grooming.
He commended SWAN for sponsoring the competition, while assuring them that the doors of the zonal office always remain wide opened to partnership that would develop sports in the grassroots.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Kaduna SWAN, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin said that the competition is aimed at developing talents at the grassroots.
“The event suffered postponements for several occasions, not as a result of our fault but for political and security issues.
“The first was the political primaries which took up the venues we were supposed to use, while the second postponement came as a result of the curfew as a result of crisis in Kaduna metropolis,” he said.
Speaking further, he explained that such have affected the turnout at this edition because some schools have called that they have commenced end of term examinations.
He told the participants that the event is not about medals winning, but to develop talents.
“I believe talents will be discovered,” he said.
The chairman said that the event is solely sponsored by SWAN but supported by several stakeholders.
He assured those that supported that their efforts would not be wasted.
