NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag SWAN

Sport

Credentials Committee ready to abide with NUJ directive on SWAN national elections

SWAN
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2019 (NAN) SWAN Credentials Committee (SWANCredCom) says it will abide with Tuesday’s decision by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to indefinitely suspend the upcoming national elections of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Abdulrahman Abolore, a member of SWANCredCom, which was set up recently by a cross-section of Chairmen of SWAN State Chapters in Ilorin, said this in Lagos on Wednesday.

The NUJ had waded into the growing crisis in SWAN by asking both SWANCredCom and SWANECO, which was set up by SWAN’s National Executive Committee (NEC), to stay action “forthwith and indefinitely’’.

It also advised that the national congresses planned for Abuja and Port Harcourt in October by SWANCredCom and SWANECO respectively should be put on hold.

Reacting to the development, Abolore said SWANCredCom views NUJ’s intervention as necessary in view of several events in the past few weeks.

“A lot of events have been coming up in recent weeks, and these were the ones which prompted the Chairmen of SWAN State Chapters to set up our committee.

“We are like what you can call `a child of necessity’. And we feel NUJ’s intervention is akin to our coming too. So, we don’t feel bad at all. We rather see the NUJ intervention as necessary,’’ he said.

Abolore, while praising the NUJ, said the suspension of elections was even timely, “in order for all contentious issues put forward by the Association’s two factions to be addressed.’’

“This (NUJ intervention) is good for us, and we believe it will help us chart a way forward for lasting peace and an electoral process that will be fair to all involved.

“We must even praise the NUJ, for having patiently waited to hear from all sides before coming in to save a situation that is almost becoming riotious. It has rights to act in this regard, based on Article 9 (b) of the NUJ Constitution.’’

He said such intervention was also normal, since SWAN is an affiliate of the NUJ.

“We SWAN members are also members of NUJ, and our code of conduct are as it is provided in the NUJ Constitution. Article 5 of the SWAN Statutes is clear on this. So, we shall be guided by the NUJ.

“Afterall, we all know we cannot practise and be members of SWAN without being first of all members of NUJ, according to Article 7 (a) of the SWAN Statutes. And that is why when you lose your membership of NUJ you will lose your Full Membership in SWAN, based on Article 7 (h)(iii).’’

Abolore added that his committee, following consultations late Tuesday and early on Wednesday, would now await further directives from both the NUJ and the Chairmen of SWAN State Chapters.

“When all the raised dust is cleared, we shall get back to SWAN members. Until then, we are staying action on all matters of the national elections,’’ he said.(NAN)
MIO/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NAN’s Owolewa among scorers as Visiting SWAN Selected whip Kaduna SWAN 4-0

Football
By Olayinka Owolewa
Kaduna, July 28, 2019 (NAN) A selected team of visiting members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Sunday in Kaduna beat their Kaduna State hosts 4-0 in an exhibition match.

Olayinka Owolewa of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was making his debut for National SWAN Selected, opened scoring early in the game.

Abubakar Hassan, the Niger SWAN Chairman, doubled the lead before half-time, after Owolewa who is also Kwara SWAN Secretary had missed a number of good scoring chances.

The visiting side restarted the game better than they played in the first stanza, controlling most of the proceedings till Nasarawa State SWAN member Jesse Adams made it 3-0.

The goal came midway into the second stanza almost as an anti-climax, as the hosts stayed back in their half to play defensively and stop the visitors from scoring more goals.

The SWAN Selected Side’s captain, Andrew Randa, scored as the match dragged to its end.

“We got some things accomplished as we wanted to,” Randa who was voted Man of the Match later said.

“I felt like we passed the ball pretty well. We would have liked to see more quality crosses and finishing, but overall I think it was a pretty good game.”

He however acknowledged that his team’s great start to the match helped them to dominate the game.

His team also had the likes of Sammy Adesoji, Richard Ajegena, Damilola Alagbe, Eche Amos and Promise Pikin-of-God.

Musa Nimrod, the Patron of Kaduna State SWAN and President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NBBF), who was the match’s special guest of honour was full of praises for both sides.

“Both sides had a good game, even though my people lost. But it was all interesting, and I praise the players and their officials, as well as supporters, for coming out for the game,” he said.

NAN reports that the match was played on the sidelines of the 2019 National Aiteo Cup Finals, and was meant to strengthen the unity among sports journalists covering the competition.(NAN)
OOH/GOM/OLAL
==============

(Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

AFCON 2019: Cross River SWAN, others urge Super Eagles to go all out against opponents

AFCON
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, June 20, 2019 (NAN) The Cross River Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Albert Adinam, has urged the Super Eagles to go all out to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Calabar that it was time the Eagles reclaimed their wings and flew higher.

He said that this year’s AFCON was going to be very tight adding that there were no longer small teams or big teams in African Football.

“Eagles have to fly higher this time because there are no more small teams in African football. If they really want to win this year’s AFCON they must work extra hard.

“Yes, on paper you may say our opponents (Burundi, Madagascar and Guinea) are push-overs but I can tell you that they can still surprise us, ‘’ he said.

Adinam further maintained that this year’s AFCON was going to be very interesting because of the recently-released FIFA ranking which ranked Senegal first in Africa and Nigeria fifth.

“Also, Cameroon is there, Ghana is there, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal are all in the AFCON. So, it is not going to be easy for any team.

“Super Eagles must prove their worth by going all the way to win the trophy,‘’ he said.

Also, Charles Eniang, a former SWAN chairman, has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would excel in the tournament.

He told NAN that he was satisfied with the team’s preparations for the tournament.

“The team has prepared very well based on the friendly matches they played and I am optimistic that they will perform well and possibly win the cup, ‘’ Eniang said.

According to him, Nigeria’s opponents in the group stage (Burundi, Madagascar and Guinea) were not strong enough to stop the Eagles from qualifying for the second round.

“In that group, it is only Guinea that can give us a strong challenge. But we will defeat them and progress further to the knockout stage, ‘’ Eniang said.

He advised coach Gernot Rohr to pick players based on their performances and commitment in training rather than their names.

In the same vein,Etim Oqua, an immediate-past chairman of SWAN in the state, warned that the Eagles should not underrate any team at the tournament.

“The greatest mistake the team will do is to underrate any team. Burundi, Madagascar and Guinea, all qualified to be in AFCON and, so, it will be dangerous to see them as minnows.

“Eagles should take every game serious and try to win because no team is a pushover, ‘’ he said.

Oqua said he was happy that the Nigerian team are a mixture of old and young players.

“I think the team is the best we have for now. I believe that as they play along together they will blend and they can give any opponent a run for their money.

“I see them going far and possibly bringing home the trophy, ‘’ Oqua said.

Nigeria’s first match is against Burundi and it comes up on Saturday.(NAN)
BEN/DCU
========

Edited by Donald Ugwu

Sport

AIPS President arrives Port Harcourt Sunday for Rivers Football Academy’s foundation-laying ceremony

Arrival
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, May 25, 2018 (NAN) President of the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS), Gianni Merlo, will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The Secretary-General of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Olawale Alabi, said in a statement on Friday that Merlo would arrive Nigeria through Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Alabi said the AIPS president was expected to attend a series of events being organised by SWAN and the Rivers State Government.

“The leader of the world’s sports journalists association will be received by SWAN President, Honour Sirawoo, at the Port Harcourt International Airport in company of the AIPS-Africa President, Mitchell Obi, some top government functionaries and SWAN officials.

‘“The visit of the 61-year-old Merlo will be the first by an AIPS President to Nigeria since the world body was founded in 1924,” he said.

The SWAN Secretary-General added that Merlo, while in Port Harcourt, would visit Rivers’ Gov. Nyesom Wike, who recently received the Africa’s Power of Sports award.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike, who is the award’s first-ever recipient, was honoured with it at the 81st AIPS Congress in Brussels, Belgium.

“Merlo will later join Gov. Wike and other guests for the foundation-laying ceremony of the Rivers State Government/Real Madrid Football Academy on Monday.

“He will later address a world press conference on the AIPS Media Sports Award and speak on plans to strengthen sports journalism practice in Nigeria by 2 p.m. same day.

“Later that day, Merlo will join Gov Wike, as well as top officials of SWAN, CAF and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to watch the Super Eagles’ friendly match against DR Congo at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt,” Alabi said

Speaking on the visit also, SWAN President Sirawoo said: “SWAN is honoured to host the AIPS President and his entourage’’.

Sirawoo called on sports journalists in Nigeria to accord the AIPS President a very warm reception.

“Already, we have put together a lot of plans to ensure a smooth occasion.

“For instance, we have concluded plans to convey journalists attending the briefing to the stadium for the Super Eagles’ friendly.

“This is part of plans to ensure the visit and the match coverage are made convenient for our members,’’ he said.(NAN)
BAY/DE/OLAL
============

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

AIPS Africa: SWAN calls for nominations ahead of 2017 Exco elections

NAN-S-7
Nominations
Abuja, Oct. 27, 2017 (NAN) AIPS Africa, the continental arm of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), has asked for nominations for elections into its Executive Committee, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) says.

SWAN, in a press release on Friday in Abuja by its Secretary-General, Olawale Alabi, said AIPS Africa called for the nominations in a letter to it on Tuesday.

It said the letter by the AIPS Africa Secretary-General, Gustave Samnick, indicated that SWAN was to send to the body’s election board names of candidates on or before Nov. 6.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that elections of new Executive Committee members for AIPS Africa will take place later this year at a venue yet to be announced.

The elections were earlier scheduled for Oct. 5 to Oct. 8 in Kenya.

“The offices up for contest at the elections are those of the President, Deputy Vice-President, Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Treasurer, Vice-Presidents (4) and Executive Committee Members (6),’’the SWAN statement indicated.

It however added that SWAN has fixed Thursday as deadline for the declaration/expression of interest by its members.

“This is to afford SWAN the opportunity of screening them so as to give Nigeria the best it should have.

“Nigerian sports journalists who are interested in any of the offices should possess NUJ, SWAN and AIPS membership cards.

“They are also expected to possess evidence of their professional qualifications and letters of employment.

“These aspirants are to send photocopies of these documents to nationalswan@gmail.com or the SWAN National Secretariat, at Corporate Suite 20, Main Bowl, Package A, National Stadium, Abuja on or before Thursday,’’ Alabi said in the statement.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

SWAN congratulates D’Tigress on AfroBasket success, advises Sports Ministry, NFF 

NAN-S-23
SWAN
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Aug. 28, 2017(NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Monday said the success of the national women basketball team, D’Tigress, at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017 in Bamako, Mali was heart-warming.

The Association, in a statement on Monday by its Secretary-General, Olawale Alabi, said it was “an ample evidence of what Nigeria can achieve in the world of sports with adequate planning, proper motivation and good selection of players’’.

It urged both the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) “to improve upon this to ensure the team replicate the AfroBasket performance at the World Cup in 2018’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that D’Tigress had brushed aside all opposition, including subduing Senegal 65-48 in the final match, to win the title for the third time.

This victory means Nigeria will alongside Senegal represent Africa at the world championship in France in 2018.

“With this, D’Tigress have proven once again that they are among the best, and this was only proven because we all did the right things.’’

“However, we call on the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NBBF to ensure their early preparation for the world championship.

“As the watchdog in the sports sector, our appeal is for the ladies to be appreciated for making Nigeria proud, while concerted efforts should be put in place to ensure they lack nothing when they face the rest of the world,’’ the statement said.

SWAN, in the same statement, also congratulated Nigeria’s women volleyball team for qualifying for the Africa Championship scheduled for October at Yaoundé in Cameroon.

The team overcame Ghana and hosts Cote D’Ivoire in a round robin contest in Abidjan.

The Association similarly saluted the efforts of Team Nigeria at the just-concluded 2017 Senior World Wrestling Championships where Odunayo Adekuoroye won an unprecedented silver medal.

SWAN then said the victory of D’Tigress in Mali should serve as motivation for the Super Eagles.

“The senior male national football team should go all out and grab the maximum points at stake in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cameroon, beginning with the first leg tie in Uyo this Friday.

“We call on the Sports Ministry, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the technical crew of the Super Eagles, players and fans, as well as sports journalists, to play their respective roles in ensuring total victory against the Indomitable Lions.

“Nigerians expect nothing short of qualification for the World Cup in Russia,’’ the statement said.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

SWAN official urges members to be more financially committed for better service delivery

NAN-S-12
Finance
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, June 15, 2017 (NAN) An official of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday in Benin urged the Association’s members to be more financially committed to SWAN for its mandate to be achieved.

Adeboye Ajayi, SWAN Vice President (South-West), made the appeal while overseeing the 2017 elections of the Association’s Edo chapter.

Ajayi, who noted that no Association can function effectively without funds, reminded members that SWAN depends largely on membership dues to carry out its programmes.

“Members’ attitude towards payment of their yearly dues is not only unfortunate but embarrassing. Henceforth, appropriate sanctions would be applied against members who default in the payment of their dues,’’ he said.

Speaking on the Edo chapter elections, Ajayi commended the chapter’s members for the maturity which they applied ijn going about their various campaigns.

“We are also pleased with the turnout. It shows that SWAN is indeed growing in the state,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the elections saw the re-election of Ahmed Aigbona as Chairman, after polling 33 votes to defeat Kehinde Osagede who had 13 votes.

Similarly, Nefishetu Yakubu of NAN beat her opponent, Francis Enafe of KU FM, by 29 votes to 17 to emerge the State Secretary of SWAN.

In his remarks after the elections, the SWAN Vice-President (South-South), Eddie Bekom, said politicians should learn from SWAN on how to conduct themselves before, during and after elections.(NAN)
ESI/KOLE/OLAL
===============
(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

SWAN lauds LMC over move to curb fans’ violence and players’ misbehaviour

NAN-S-18

SWAN
Ilorin, April 11, 2017 (NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the prompt action by the League Management Company (LMC) to improve safety at match venues by sanctioning three clubs and three players.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LMC on Tuesday announced several sanctions it was imposing on three clubs and three players.

It said it was to ensure sanity and curb violence by fans and players’ misbehaviour at match venues.

SWAN, in a press statement on Tuesday in Abuja signed by its Secretary-General, Olawale Alabi, lauded the steps taken by the premier league organising body.

“It was a huge and bold step towards curbing irresponsible behaviour in a league that has started taking us somewhere.

“It was an action that was timely and decisive, and which will ensure we do not go on a retrogressive slope, where all that has been put into making the league attractive for football fans nationwide could be lost just because some people were being irresponsible,’’ it said.

SWAN said it was quite appreciative of the fact that LMC took into consideration the welfare of those deeply involved in helping in the league’s growth.

“By ensuring compensation for our injured members in the person of Kelvin Ekerete and Tunde Akinbinu, we are indeed happy that LMC has not failed in its duties of giving room for all stakeholders to operate and perform as their profession demands,’’ it said.

The sports writing body assured LMC of its members’ continued commitment to effective and accurate reportage of events in the NPFL.

It also assured its members that it would continue to ensure their rights are protected at all times.

“We will continue to ensure that our members have the opportunity to perform their legitimate duties as their professional ethics demand and in a conducive environment,’’ SWAN said.

It will be recalled that the clubs are to pay several fines totalling over N12 million, and they can also have their points deducted later in the season if there was a repeat offence.

There were also sanctions such as playing behind closed doors and fans’ restriction, while the three players were handed one-match suspension each.(NAN)
BAY/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Pinnick’s victory an opportunity for Nigeria to reassert itself in world football, SWAN says

 

NAN-S-23
Opportunity
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, March 17, 2017 (NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) says Amaju Pinnick’s election into the CAF Executive Committee has presented Nigeria an opportunity to realign and reassert itself as a major football power.

While congratulating Pinnick who was elected in Addis Ababa on Thursday, SWAN said Pinnick’s election offers Nigeria a fresh opportunity to be among the leading players in world football.

“While we congratulate you on this resounding victory, we also wish to remind you that it is an opportunity we must all grab with both hands.

“This is because it offers us the fresh opportunity to be among the leading players in world football.

“It is an opportunity for Nigeria to realign and reassert itself as a major football power,’’ SWAN said in the letter signed by its Secretary-General, Olawale Alabi, on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Presidential and Executive Committee Elections were held at the 39th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Ethiopia.

The elections also saw the emergence of Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar as the new CAF President, following a 34-20 defeat of Issa Hayatou of Cameroon.

SWAN also said it was confident in the abilities of Pinnick, who is Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President to ensure maximum benefits for Nigerian football in all the necessary areas.

“Pinnick’s election is an opportunity not only for him as an individual we so much believe in his abilities, but for Nigerian football in general.

“We are therefore hopeful that all members of the Nigerian football family, ranging from young and elite footballers, coaches, referees, administrators, sports journalists, sponsors, fans, et cetera, will with time feel the impact of your being on the CAF Executive Committee.’’

The Association further called for support for Pinnick from the entire Nigerian football family for him to be able to actualise the mandate of helping to uplift football in Africa.

“It is now no longer his call alone, but that of Nigeria, and we enjoin all stakeholders to rally round Pinnick for him to be able to deliver on the job.

“Being on the CAF Executive Committee should not be the end of the journey for any Nigerian football stakeholder who has been well accepted in the way Pinnick’s victory suggests.

“Bigger opportunities are there ahead for any Nigerian who dares to aspire, once we all rally round to lend support.’’

SWAN also congratulated the new CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, on his election, and reminded him of the need to take immediate steps to ensure the change he has brought about is full of positive gains.

“Many football enthusiasts have so much hope in the change you have promised, and they will all be expectant that you will in a very short time ensure there are positive gains for African football.’’

The Nigerian sports writing body did not fail to praise former CAF President Issa Hayatou for his magnanimity and past efforts.

“Hayatou has done his best, and really deserves praise for his magnanimity in conceding defeat and not leaving the confederation in a state of rancour out of unbridled ambition to continue in office.

“It is noteworthy that he has also left behind worthy legacies, which have seen CAF become financially healthier in the last few years, and he therefore deserves praise.’’(NAN)
DE/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

SWAN sets March 20 deadline for 2017 membership registration

 

NAN-S-23
Registration
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, March 7, 2017 (NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has set a March 20 deadline for the completion of online registration of old and new members of the association for 2017.

Olawale Alabi, the Secretary-General of SWAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the deadline was to allow the association’s National Secretariat collate names of applicants.

He said the SWAN National Secretariat would then send the applicants’ names to the leadership of their respective state chapters for verification.

Alabi said this would be done before the final granting of membership or revalidation of status.

“This will lead to the issuance of ID cards for members as Full, Associate or Veteran Members of the association within days.

“This process, adopted in line with what is obtainable at the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), will see the national secretariat printing the cards only after the verification by the state chapters,’’ he said.

The SWAN Secretary-General said the registration exercise demanded that members visited the Association’s website (www.swannational.com) to fill in their details.

He said this should be after the payment of N3,500 to the bank to cover annual dues and production of ID card.

“The National Secretariat had in its earlier statement directed that payment be made only to the Association’s membership dues/cards account at Diamond Bank with number 0086947977 and name Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

“Members/applicants are thereafter expected to fill in their details in the new order that will also lead to the collation of data for the Association’s membership register,’’ Alabi said.

He urged old and prospective members who needed further enquiries to direct them to nationalswan@gmail.com or the SWAN National Secretariat at the National Stadium in Abuja.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
=========

 

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)