The Southeast Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bernard Ezema, has voiced concern over the aging athlete population in Enugu State and the broader southeast region.
Ezema shared his concerns on Friday during a visit by members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State chapter, to his office at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
He stressed the urgency of identifying and nurturing new talents to sustain the region’s sporting legacy. According to him, the dwindling number of young athletes poses a challenge to sports development in the zone.
Ezema reaffirmed the commitment of the NSC zonal office to revitalizing sports and urged stakeholders—including government officials, coaches, and sports administrators—to take the sector seriously and avoid exploitation.
He commended SWAN for their visit, describing it as timely and significant.
“I recognize SWAN as a key partner in advancing sports activities in the southeast. Although we faced several challenges during the recent zonal eliminations, I am optimistic about future collaborations,” Ezema stated.
He clarified that the commission’s primary role is to develop sports rather than organize competitions and emphasized the importance of working with SWAN and other stakeholders to improve the sector.
“Sports is a collective effort, and I am committed to working with SWAN to enhance opportunities for athletes in the region. Currently, all the athletes are aging, and no new talents have been discovered to replace them. We need to change this narrative to ensure the growth of sports in the southeast,” he added.
Earlier, SWAN’s Enugu State chairman, Gideon Iwueke, welcomed Ezema to the zone and highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing sports development.
He also expressed disappointment over SWAN’s exclusion from key sports-related activities in Enugu State, particularly by some sports associations.
(NAN)