By Our Correspondent

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Akwa Ibom State, Sir Monday Ebong Uko has applauded the efforts of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter in promoting sports in the state with a promise to get secretariat for the sports writers, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The Sports commissioner in the state, Monday Uko made the promise at an interactive session with the association in Uyo on Wednesday.

“I want to assure you that I will try, before I leave office to ensure that you have a secretariat.”

Uko has been a friend of the association-supporting its many programmes as evident in his ever presence during their thanksgiving service organized last month.

In what was the first of its kind, the commissioner discussed extensively with SWAN while seeking collaboration for the improvement of sports in the state.

The promise of the secretariat generated applause from members of the association led by its chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan.

Uko also promised to attend SWAN’s next congress in the state.

The reappointed commissioner gave SWAN applause at a media parley with the association held   Wednesday, at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium,Uyo.

“I thank members of SWAN for the support they have given to me throughout these seven years as the Honourable Commissioner. I thank you for supporting the vision of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Deacon Gabriel Udom Emmanuel.”

Sir Uko also lauded the giant strides of the governor who has transformed sports in the state while calling on sports writers to help him in taking sports to the next level.

“No one can do it alone. It is my prayer that you will assist me to succeed… If I succeed, we succeed together. Akwa Ibom State will be lifted up.”

Reacting, the state chairman of SWAN, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan praised the commissioner for the gesture.

“I want to describe this meeting as a welcome development. How I wish we can be holding this kind of meeting every month so that we can be deliberating on issues affecting sports development in Akwa Ibom State. This is the first time sports promoters have been taking into consideration and also seen as important partners in progress”.

Akpan also assured of his association’s support to the course of sports.

“I assure you that we will collaborate with the sports ministry.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Youth and Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk were also in attendance at the epoch-making interface.