SWAN Urges Fubara To Overhaul Govt-owned Clubs’ Management

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Rivers State has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reorganise the managements of government-owned sports clubs in the state, including Rivers United, Rivers Angels, and Rivers Hoopers.

The association also called on the governor to appoint a new leadership for the Ministry of Sports, which currently has no commissioner.

It stated that the current managements of the clubs have failed to perform commensurate with the money the state government spends on them.

During the July 2026 monthly general meeting of the association in Port Harcourt, SWAN chairman, Cyril Dum-Wite, said the intention was to reposition the clubs for optimal performance next football season and ensure that sports in general are rejuvenated.

“Under the present leadership of the ministry, sports are gradually dying, and as major stakeholders, we will not allow the situation to get worse.

“The management team of all the clubs may not be in line with present sports administrative skills or ideas; hence, there is absolutely a need to reorganize the structure and appoint persons that have a pedigree in sports administration to handle the affairs of the clubs,” Dum-Wite said.

He used the opportunity to thank Fubara for his pragmatic approach towards sports development, most significantly the ongoing total renovation of Yakubu Gowon Stadium, saying that the development will boost sporting activities in the state.

“The governor has not failed to approve and release funds for athletes to attend various sports competitions and festivals. This is a clear demonstration that the governor loves sports.

“Apart from that, he has equally received athletes and rewarded them with cash gifts,” the SWAN chairman said.

Dum-Wite also appealed to the governor to build an SWAN office that will bear his name for legacy.