The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Southeast Zone, has urged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to use sports as a tool for the socio-economic development of the region.
Ikem Asika, Vice President of SWAN in the Zone, made the call in a congratulatory message to the board and management of SEDC on Wednesday in Awka.
Asika who commended President Bola Tinubu for setting up the commission, said it was an opportunity for the people of the region to address the development challenges, including sports.
He said the region was blessed with talented sportsmen and sportswomen.
The president said that giving them the platform to explore the opportunities in sports, would not only reduce insecurity but increase economic prosperity of households.
“SWAN congratulates you on the successful inauguration as the Managing Director, South East Development Commission.
“We also extend our warm felicitations to the Chairman, Dr Emeka Nworgu and other members of the board,
“We are proud of you and are confident that you will do justice to your mandate of charting a new development and reconstruction course for the region.
“As a youth and lover of sports, we do not doubt that you appreciate the importance of sports in any society and its implication to the economy.
“We hope that SEDC will consider sports as a critical catalyst for achieving its goals and objectives, as well as explore its enormous social cohesion and economic values,” he said.
He said that the association was available and willing to partner with SEDC in driving its agenda for sports in the overall interest of youths and the region.