Imo SWAN honours Amuneke, other Sports Icons at its Week’s grand finale in Owerri
Chairman, Nigeria National League (NNL), George Aluo and 1994 CAF Player of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke were among eminent indigenes of Imo state who were honoured at the grand finale of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter’s Week held at the eyebrow Rockview Hotel, Owerri on Saturday.
Aluo a veteran journalist and frontline administrator per excellence was conferred with the Imo SWAN Sports Iconic Administrator of the Year Award for his exceptional leadership style and innovation he has brought to the NNL dubbed the Most Important League in Nigeria.
Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke was rewarded with Imo SWAN Sports Legend of the Year for his efforts at revamping the Naze Millionaires and also his meritorious service to Nigeria both as footballer and as a coach.
Under his watch Heartland FC have experienced a rebirth and are no longer relegation candidates like previous seasons having won three games on the trot against Remo Stars, Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars in the past three games.
Others given recognition for their meritorious service to Imo State and Nigeria at large was Honourable Dr. Obioma Okorie who received the Imo SWAN Sports Motivator of the Year Award for his philanthropic gesture and commitment to grassroots sports development.
Others recognised at the epoch making award were Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Obinna Onyeocha (Imo SWAN Bridge Builder of the Year); Imo State Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu (Imo SWAN Talent Hunt Promoter of the Year); Hon. Henry Okafor (Good Friend of Imo SWAN); Ambassador Prince Eleazer Ogbonna (Imo SWAN Grassroots Sports & Talent Hunt Development Promoter of the Year); Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo (Imo SWAN Supporter of the Year); Patrick Osuji (Campos) (Imo SWAN Young Sports Achiever of the Year); Desire Oparanozie (Imo SWAN Women’s Football Personality of the Year);
Barr. Ifeanyi Dike (Father of Football in Imo State); Prince Chidi (Imo SWAN Women’s Football Development Promoter of the Year), Prince Chidiebere Onuoha (Imo SWAN Women’s Football Development Promoter of the Year); Late Christian Obi (Imo SWAN Most Passionate Coach of the Year (Posthumous Award);
Also considered for award was High Chief Summers Nwokie (Ikukuoma) as Imo SWAN Talent & Sports Development Promoter of the Year. It was the same recognition (Imo SWAN Talent &Sports Development Promoter of the Year) for Innocent Onwubiko; TOE Ekechi, and Honourable Representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency Hon. Akarachi Amadi.
NUJ Chairman Ifeanyi Nwanguma was recognised as the Imo SWAN Most Innovative NUJ Chairman while Jennifer Anusiem was awarded with Foremost Women’s Football Proprietor.
For his efforts at repositioning grassroots football former Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme was named Imo SWAN Young Football Development Trailblazer of the Year while Prince Lemmy Akakem was the event’s Father of the Day.
The event which commenced with a glamorous red carpet at 2 pm, brought together prominent figures in sports, government, and the private sector.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Imo SWAN, Cosmos Chukwuemeka expressed gratitude to all attendees, emphasizing the association’s commitment towards recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to sports development in Imo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“This is our way of saying thank you to those who have left an indelible mark in the world of sports,” he stated, applauding his team for organizing the successful event.
The event saw the attendance of top dignitaries, including representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Musa Gusau who was represented by the Chairman, Abia State Football Association, Dr Onyeaghala ; the Imo FA Chairman, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike; Anambra FA Chairman, Chikelue Iloanusi; Hon. Dr. Obioma Okorie; Hon. Asimonye Udennaka, Councillor of Ozara Ward; NNL Chairman, George Aluo, CEO First Mahi, Prince Chidiebere Onuoha and CEO, Campos FC Patrick Osuji, NNL Board Member, Emmanuel Attah, NNL Administrative Secretary, Nicholas among others.
The ceremony was a resounding success as it celebrated excellence in sports development and setting the tone for greater collaboration between stakeholders in the industry and Imo SWAN.
The Association reaffirmed its dedication to supporting the growth of sports through such initiatives, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to continue contributing to the sector.
The Imo SWAN week started with a Road Walk on Tuesday across important areas in Owerri while on Wednesday it was the turn of all members to be taught at a seminar aimed at improving our crafts with the aid of the Artificial Intelligence (AI).
On Friday members had the time to engage themselves in healthy sports competition with winners emerging in the sports such as Table Tennis, Ludo, Whot, Scrabble, Chess and Draught.
Earlier on Saturday, the Indomitable Imo SWAN team held highly rated Diamond Dynamics Fitness Club (DD FC) to a 1-1 draw at the ICAPS Training Pitch, Egbu Road, Owerri.
