SWAN Engages KWASSIP On Ways To Reduce Poverty Through Sports

The Executive of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Kwara State Chapter on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the management of the State Social Investment Program, KWASSIP, on ways the latter can take numerous advantages in sports to alleviate poverty.

Welcoming the sports fraternity, the General Manager of the KWASSIP, Dr. Abdulwasiu Tejidini, said that its 2024 programme will capture more of the state’s para-athletes as part of their plans to stimulate economic growth in the sporting sector.

“We have always had accommodations for the physically challenged people.

“Within the little time I assumed here I remember that we have taken care of people in that category and we will like to continue on that note.

Also Read: Man Utd owners set to sell club as Ronaldo’s contract is terminated

“But since SWAN has made this appeal, I believe it is worth looking into especially given that sports is another way of lifting people socially and economically which is why Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq created the agency in 2019.

He further disclosed that he intends to liaise with the Kwara State Sports Commission on how best to come in to partner sports.

Earlier, in his remarks the State Chairman of SWAN, Ayodeji Ismail, stated that the purpose of his team visit was to establish a partnership with KWASSIP on how sports can be deployed to tackle poverty in line with the objective of the KWASSIP.

Also Read: Odegaard sends title warning to Arsenal rivals

“With the strategic role play in social and economic re-engineering in the state, we expect to see you play more roles in sports considering the massive investment the governor has been making in the subsector.”

The SWAN Chairman further extolled Governor Abdulrazaq’s effort in revamping and making sports viable in the state.

“We have the approval of over N2 Billion for the upgrade of the indoor sports hall, there is also the investment on the state’s swimming pools; table tennis, and squash court which currently touted as the best in West Africa,” he said.

Also Read: 31 Journalists, others get appointed into Kwara Sports Associations

The sports Journalist also enjoined the GM to make more of the habit of watching matches of Kwara United when playing at home.

“You can also buy tickets for fans as a way of helping the club shore up revenue,” Ismail said.

The visiting SWAN executives were made up of Toyin Saheed, Vice Chairman, Sodiq Adebara, Assistant Secretary, Nusirat Popoola, Finance Secretary, Nicholas Uwerunonye, Treasurer, Mustafa Abubakar and Abdul Momoh, Ex officio members.