By Amaechi Agbo
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter, has reiterated its commitment to the growth and development of sports in the state.
This was made known during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of the association to the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji, on Thursday in Ilorin.
Kwara SWAN Chairman, Ayodeji Ismail, led members of the new executive on what he described as a “thank you visit” to appreciate Mogaji’s presence at the association’s elective congress held on April 22, 2027, at the Taiwo Awoniyi Sports Media Centre, Ilorin.
“We are here today to thank and appreciate you for your presence during the elective congress of our association. Your presence, in no small measure, added candour to the event and we believe there is need for us to reciprocate the gesture,” Ayodeji said.
Describing SWAN and the Sports Commission as partners in progress, the chairman pledged that the association would continue to promote sporting activities across the state.
He noted that while football in the state has enjoyed considerable media attention, the new executives have resolved to project other sports through strategic media coverage.
“We have resolved to activate a monthly visit to other sporting activities within the state in order to promote their programmes. This, we believe, will help raise more awareness about the sports and also draw public interest,” he added.
In his remarks, Coach Bola Mogaji acknowledged the critical role of the media in sports development and pledged continued collaboration with Kwara SWAN.
According to him, Kwara athletes are excelling in various sports, and their achievements can only gain deserved recognition through effective media coverage.
Mogaji seized the opportunity to reveal that a squash player from the state, Abdulazeez Rofiat, has broken ground by being the first athlete from Nigeria to be invited to “The Circuit training” in the United Kingdom while some other squash players are also presently in Abuja for National camp trials.
He also disclosed that Kwara table tennis star, Shukurat Aiyelabegan, is representing Team Nigeria at the ongoing ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in London.
“For any sport to progress, the media is very important. Let’s keep working together and we are ready to work with you,” Mogaji said.
