Cricket Has Come to Stay in Ebonyi – Sports Director Appeals for More Manpower In Sports Council

The Director of Sports in Ebonyi State, Alep David, has declared that Cricket has firmly taken root in the state, assuring that the game will continue to thrive despite existing challenges.

Mr. David made this known during a familiarisation visit by executives of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), led by Chairman, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha. Speaking during the visit, the Director described Cricket as one of the state’s most successful sports in previous years, noting that the team consistently returned with medals from national and international competitions.

“When I came into the state newly, hockey was one of the most fruitful teams until recently that cricket took over. Anytime they went out for competitions, they always came back with medals.cricket is a game that has come to stay in Ebonyi,” he said. He, however, stressed the urgent need for more professional bodies and qualified coaches, revealing that the Sports Council currently faces low staff strength and a shortage of technical personnel.

“The Sports Council lacks professional bodies; we lack coaches, and the staff strength is low. We are directors, and we must speak for sports development at every level we find ourselves,” he added.

Mr. David also pointed out that cricket, which once struggled like hockey in its early days, has now grown significantly and is making waves nationally and internationally. He likened its rise to the growing influence of Abakaliki FC in football, noting that the present administration led by governor Francis Nwifuru has shown commitment to reviving and developing sporting activities beyond football.

He assured SWAN that the association remains recognised both at the state and national levels and pledged continued collaboration. According to him, neither the present government nor the Commissioner for Sports would abolish SWAN who has shown sincere support to sports development in the state, promising that the association would be carried along in necessary programmes and provided with office accommodation at the state stadium, in line with practices in other states. The Director commended SWAN for its role as the “engine room of communication,” urging members to project the positive developments in Ebonyi sports to the wider public. He expressed optimism that with collective effort and sustained government support, sports development in the state would witness greater growth in the coming years.

Earlier, the Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Ebonyi State chapter, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha, appreciated the Director for the warm reception, affirming that the association would work in synergy with the Sports Council to ensure all sporting activities are well publicised.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event included the former SWAN Chairman and Editor of the News Agency of Nigeria, Chief Emeka Opara, National Television Authority Sports Correspondent,Mrs Ijeoma Nwante among others thanked the state governor Francis Nwifuru for revitalizing sports in the state.