The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State Chapter, and the Anambra State Football Association (AnSFA) have officially resolved their two-year-old feud.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the leadership of SWAN led by Chimezie Anaso, its chairman and Chikelue Iloenyosi, Chairman, AnSFA in Awka on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two bodies have had a faceoff that lasted for over two years before now.
The parties agreed to withdraw cases against each other wherever it was reported, including the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
Speaking on the development, Anaso said the truce was a positive sign and a turning point for sports in the state.
He said though there was no alternative to how the parties reacted to the impasse at the time, there was no doubt that there were collateral losses due to the frosty relationship.
“This is a new dawn for football and sports in Anambra, it is important to note that it happened organically, there was no mediator, no facilitator, it happened in the fullness of time, so, we thank God.
“I thank members of SWAN in Anambra and the national leadership under Isaiah Benjamin for their understanding, solidarity and interventions during this period,” he said.
The Vice President South East Zone, Ikem Asika, who expressed surprise as to how things went awry, said he was happy that everything was now in the past.
“Sports and media are like siamese twins, the misunderstanding was not necessary, so I am happy that we are back because football is an important sport that deserves all the attention it can get.
“We have come a long way; there was nothing personal in the faceoff, like the Bible will say, unless the two agree, they cannot work together, so now that we have agreed, it can only be better,” he said.
On his part, Iloenyosi recalled the smooth personal relationship he enjoyed with each member of SWAN and wondered how it collapsed.
He said he was fulfilled that the long days of faceoff had come to an end and promised to make SWAN an integral part of his administration going forward.
“I hold nothing against anybody; everyone is a personal friend to me, so I do not know why we should not work as a team. I am happy that we are back; let bygones be bygones,” he said. (NAN)
