The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Benue State has praised the athletes who represented the state at the recently concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, which took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
On Tuesday, SWAN’s Chairman, Hembadoon Orsar, gave the commendation in a statement issued by the Secretary, Terfa Alaghga, based in Makurdi.
Orsar recognized the determination, dedication, and perseverance shown by the athletes as well as their coaches, while emphasizing the need for early preparation for the upcoming edition.
The chairman remarked that the representatives from Benue State had displayed their role as true ambassadors through their accomplishments at the festival.
“Despite facing challenges such as insufficient training facilities and missing out on an exclusive training camp, you succeeded in securing 29th place on the medals leaderboard with 18 medals in total, consisting of six silver and 12 bronze.
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“We acknowledge your impressive results and motivate you to persist in your efforts, contributing to the advancement of sports in Benue.
“We appreciate Gov. Hyacinth Alia for supporting the state teams at the NSF. This reflects his commitment to youth and sports development as foundational to his governance.”
“We also commend Terkimbi Ikyange, the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, for his adept management of the sports sector to ensure peak performance and for being amicable towards SWAN,” she mentioned.
Orsar praised Anthony Torbunde, the Director of Sports at the Benue State Sports Council, for effectively coordinating Team Benue’s journey to Abeokuta, fostering a strong sense of inclusion among the participants.
The chairman urged the athletes and their coaches to maintain their effort, continuing to work hard to enhance their skills.
She stated that SWAN remains hopeful for thorough preparations and an early start to training for the 2026 NSF edition in Enugu.