Bauchi SWAN Demands Sports Facility Upgrade, Grassroots Talent Academy

The Bauchi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for the urgent renovation and upgrading of sports facilities across the state to create better opportunities for grassroots talent development.

The association also urged the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to strengthen its collaboration with sports journalists and other stakeholders to accelerate the growth of sports in the state.

Bauchi SWAN chairman, Bala Bawaji, made the call yesterday when the association paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Bashir Yau, to congratulate him on his appointment and discuss areas of collaboration.

Bawaji described sports journalists and the ministry as strategic partners in sports development and urged the commissioner to sustain regular engagement with the media.

He proposed the establishment of a SWAN Forum, which would provide a platform for the commissioner and ministry officials to brief sports journalists on programmes, achievements, policies and plans for the sector.

The SWAN chairman also appealed for the ministry’s support for the association’s annual SWAN Week, an initiative designed to promote sports participation and strengthen relationships among stakeholders.

Bawaji further urged the ministry to prioritise the repair, renovation and upgrading of sports facilities across the state, including those at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Games Village and Multipurpose Hall.

He said well-maintained facilities were essential for identifying, nurturing and developing athletes, particularly at the grassroots.

Responding, Yau thanked SWAN for the visit and commended the association for its contribution to sports development through professional reporting.

He pledged to work with the association and other stakeholders to advance sports in the state.

The commissioner disclosed that he inherited a bill already passed by the Bauchi State House of Assembly for the establishment of a State Sports Commission.

According to him, the proposed commission would strengthen the institutional framework for sports administration and development in the state.

Yau also revealed plans to establish a Sports Academy to identify, nurture and develop young sporting talents.

He said the ministry had commenced discussions with the State Ministry of Education on a “Catch Them Young” initiative aimed at identifying talents early and providing them with appropriate training and development.

Yau said developing athletes from the grassroots could create pathways to national and international competition, while generating opportunities and enhancing Bauchi State’s profile in sports.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with SWAN and other stakeholders to establish a sustainable foundation for sports development in the state.