BY IKECHUKWU IWEAJUNWA
Government Secondary College, Owerri, Imo State, has been announced winners of both the senior and junior category of the maiden edition of the Imo chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) table tennis competition for secondary schools in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onwuzuruike Ifeanyi in SS 2 won in the senior category in straight set,11-8,12-10,2-0, while Goodluck Joshua defeated Enema Light 11-7,11-3 2-0 straight set to win the junior category.
Michael Nnamdi of Holy Ghost College Owerri however came third.
The tournament was co-sponsored by Sen. Samuel Anyawu, National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held at the prestigious Bashlyks Sports Centre New Owerri.
Speaking at the event, Anyanwu said he took interest in the competition to ensure new talents are discovered and projected.
Anyawu, also the patron of Imo SWAN and represented by Prof. Protus Uzoma said that it was an investment in the right direction to empower youths through sports.
He noted that table tennis was a skill that can put food on the table of anyone with the talent. He discouraged youths from involving in any form of social chaos and promised to reward the winners with N 200,000, runner up N 150,000 and third position with N 100,000
In his remarks Chairman of Imo SWAN Mr Evarest Ezihe stated that the association was poised at reviving and transforming sports through grassroot activities.
He disclosed that the association has met with the Sports Commissioner Mr Dan Ogu and other stakeholders in sports to intimate them on the need to revive sports in the state.
He called on stakeholders and non governmental organizations to partner with SWAN in grassroot sports development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the competition Mr Sampson Orji disclosed that table tennis was neglected in the South East.
Orji, also a National Officer of SWAN, added that it was their duty as watchdogs of the society to inform the people on the imperatives of grassroot sports development.
He commended Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Mr Dan Ogu and Aloysius Nnawugo, the Special Adviser to Gov. Hope Uzodimma on Diaspora Affairs and others who contributed towards the success of the competition.