By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. In this Interview with Africa Press ,the National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria -SWAN Benjamin Isaiah described what the Federal government did to different contingents during the concluded All African Games that took place from 8th to 24th March in Ghana as a sign of readiness to boost the Sports sector which suffered huge neglect before.
He also spoke about the recent reconciliation achieved by the leadership of the Association after long rift that rock iit’s leadership
Africa Press -Nigeria got different medals in various aspects it participated in during the All African Games ,so what is your general assessment on Nigeria’s performance at the concluded Games in which Nigeria emerged second after Egypt ?
SWAN President – Is is very interesting to know that Nigeria has done well ,if you remember in Morocco in 2019 Nigeria came second after the same Egypt ,despite coming the second Nigerian contingents need to be appreciated,even though our wish is to won the Games ,I have to say Kudos to the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development who did all it takes to ensure that ,the contingents were given all the encouragement during tournament.
“I could recall vividly that after meeting the honourable Minister with the athletes and their coaches ,they were well motivated interns of welfare and wellbeing ,and we can see that to the greater extent that translated into what we are seeing today of the performance of what the athletes displayed ” He said .
The SWAN President added that Nigeria has done well in the games and what Federal government exhibited in making the contents that performed in various games happy as every gold medalist received about 3 thousand dollars ,silver medalist 2000 dollars and bronze medalist 1000 dollar as an effort that need to be sustained in order to make the sports sector more vibrant and attractive .
So This is very encouraging, the athletes got motivated with that pronunciation which made them put their very best ,and you can see the result from the medal tables .
Going forward I think this type of effort put in place by the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Enoh Ewan is quite encouraging.
My hope is that the athletes will do better in the subsequent games .
Africa Press – Your Association Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is one of the critical stakeholders in promoting Sports across the country. There was a rift within the leadership of the organization but we learn that you finally settled the crisis .What is the present situation ?
SWAN President – Yes thank you, it is true that at some point there are alot distractions here and there among the leadership of the Association ,but like you rightly pointed out ,we are now doing all we can to make sure ,we are again one United force because together we are stronger than divided .
Ok ! I am a leader that is committed to ensuring that all hands are on deck ,ensuring that there is genuine reconciliations among our group members,ensuring that we work as one indivisible Association and that is what I am committed to be doing ,whatever it is that may have led to distraction here and there ,we are not living any stone unturned towards ensuring that we get it finally resolved amicably.
We are doing the very best we can because it is only when we are united and speak with one voice that we could achieve better result ,and that is my style of leadership,ensuring that every body brought on board ,ensuring that we speak with one voice ,ensuring that our differences are resolved amicably,of course you can not rule out that everybody has right to feel otherwise,you can’t have it hundred percent as a leader but the thing is that as a leader you do the very best you can to ensure that you have the right thing ,and that is exactly what I am committed to be doing .
“Ensuring that all our members are brought under one umbrella,speak with one voice ,so we can now have better result because you see if you work as divided Association even sports administrations will take us for granted and take advantage of our division,that is why I am ensuring whatever it takes ,there is no price which is so had to pay for peace ,so whatever it is, to ensure we work as one team ,one indivisible Association ,I am committed to doing it and that is exactly what we are doing and I can tell you for free ,we are achieving positive result .Going forward it will only get better ” The Sports Writers President stated.
Africa Press – As the crisis is solved among the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.What is your plan towards promoting Sports as one of the critical aspects that can boost the Nigerian economy ?
SWAN National President – No crisis per say I call it distractions,again like I also said earlier ,we are committed towards ensuring that the Association is placed in the right position.
The first plan I have onboard ,like I promise when I took over leadership to begin with reconciling with aggrieved members,ensuring that we are one National SWAN ,we are one SWAN across the states and that is exactly what we are achieving as success in that regard ,going forward we also intend to give priority to capacity building, wellbeing and welfare of our members ,again that we are also going to do it vigorously.
We are doing the very best ,we will do whatever it takes within our powers as you can not give what you don’t have ,we will do anything within our ability alongside with our national executive committee members ,as I said all hands need to be on deck to be able to achieve the desired goal ,we are sure that our blueprint will be delivered to the later.
We are committed as there is no going back on the decision that we are one indivisible SWAN that will provide another room for our members to build their capacity in all areas of reportage among other capacities ,that we will continue to do until we make Nigerian sports journalist rob shoulders with their counterparts world wide ,we are sure this will complement the needs of promoting sports in Nigeria and portraying the Nigerian sports men and women talents to the world and this in turn will boost the country’s economy.
Africa Press – Grass root Sports is a critical aspect that will help in enhancing the security and help in identifying and promoting talent ,as stakeholders what are you doing in reporting sporting activities right from the grass root in order to bring the new generation to the limelight ?
SWAN President – Thank You very much ,there is no doubt that grass root Sports is a key factor in every sports development and of course on our part as sports writers basically our job is to report sports ,write about athletes who are distinguishing themselves particularly from the grass roots.
“Yes is one of those key areas that we call on our state chapters to give serious priority to, by going to the grass root to report the activities of athletes engaged in different activities so that they can be groomed into maturity ,because if you don’t catch them young how as its being said will they grow .
He added that if these grass root Sports and athletes are reported by journalists with their pictures on it ,it really gives them encouragement.
So ,as an umbrella of Sports Journalists we are ready to provide all we can interns of reporting ,and mingling with sports men and women from all levels in order to take the sector to the best position.
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