By Amaechi Agbo

As the May 29 handover of the mantle of leadership in Enugu State draws closer, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Enugu State Chapter, has appealed to the incoming governor of the state, Mr Peter Mbah to appoint as Sports Commissioner, a technocrat and seasoned sports administrator to man the sector.

Enugu SWAN made the appeal in a communique they issued at the end of their April Congraress held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, on Friday.

The Association expressed dismay at the poor state of sports in the last five years in the state and called on the incoming governor not to toe the line of his predesesor in not paying adequate attention to sports development.

“SWAN therefore, urges  the incoming administration to endeavour to correct the mistakes of the outgoing regime by giving the  sector the desired attention, as sports in the 21st century remains a veritable tool for unification, checking youth restiveness as well as avenue to earn a living.

“As key partners in the business of sports promotion and development in the state, the sports journalists, enjoined the incoming administration to ensure that only someone with huge knowledge on sports and  competency is appointed to steer the ship of the Ministry of Youth and Sports when the time comes.

“For Enugu state to regain it’s lost glory in sports, the incoming governor must avoid the temptation of appointing a complete novice,  or one with limited knowledge in sports  into the  Ministry. The Commissioner for Sports should not be someone appointed for political compensation,” the communique read.

Mr Peter Mbah will be sworn-in as the new Enugu State Governor on May 29, 2023 after winning the governorship election conducted in the state on February 18.