Ace broadcaster and former Olympian, Malam Hammed Adio stated this on Friday in Ilorin at a one day Seminar organized by the Kwara Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for its members at the Conference room of the Sports Council.

Adio frowned at the way quacks are taking over journalism profession due to social media liberty.

He challenged sports writers to distinguish themselves from mere facebook administrators by embarking on research and historical background of sports to report to guarantee accurate and correct information of the game.

The former Olympian implored SWAN members to be sensitive and avoid the use of negative and derogatory languages in their reportage.

He noted that fairness, truthfulness, balance are the hallmark of a good sports reporter as facts are sacred and opinions are personal.

Adio reiterated that the job of Sports reporters is challenging, demanding, exiciting and could only be fulfilling if taking with absolute seriousness and all sense of determination and commitment.

Earlier, the Chairman of Kwara SWAN, Malam Jimoh Bashir appreciated Malam Adio for devoting his precious time to tap from his reservoir of Knowledge and believed that members have learnt would be put to practice without further delay.

Bashir who was elated with the academic exercise presented by Adio later announced him as an Ambassador of Kwara SWAN.

Also Speaking, the Chairman of Education Committee of Kwara SWAN, Bayour Issah said the seminar was geared towards broaden the knowledge of members to enhance effective service delivery in their various media organisations and will be a routine exercise from time to time.

Members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria,(SWAN) Kwara State Chapter has been tasked on the need for unity of purpose as a way to regain their critical and strategic place in achieving a sustainable growth in the sports industry.

Speaking at a party organised by the association on Wednesday and sponsored by it’s Patron, Prince Thompson Oladimeji ,the Chairman of SWAN in the State,Jimoh Bashir stated that the gathering was aimed at evaluating their performances in 2020 and also project for the new year.

Bashir emphasized the need for unity and cooperation of members in a bid to reposition the association to occupy its deserved place in the society noting that all the ground lost was due to cracks on their wall. 

“This program supposed to have held last December with plans to bring a veteran to talk to our members on what is obtainable in the past and what is being done now but couldn’t held due to some circumstances” he said.

As part of the agenda for 2021, He revealed that the body is planning to hold a memorial lecture in honour of it’s late Chairman,Jide Fashikun and organise SWAN week- a pack of programmes like Media game, award giving ceremony and other events.

While the association is keen on strengthening its relationship with other chapters, Jimoh said It is also exploring opportunity to organise a football championship in honour of the late president of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria,
YSFON ,Alhaji Jamiu Babatunde Ojulari.

He spoke on the background of bridging the gap between the association and the Government towards creating an enduring relationship that will complement their respective goals.

The Chairman hinted on the efforts to complete the Secretariat Complex of the body in order to enhance the adminstration and service delivery while adding that the Education Committee of the union will also be organising a capacity building programme for it’s members in the new year.

“We are in talks with many people to help us complete the project with the privilege of having the building named after them ” Bashir who is also the Media Officer of Kwara United FC was quoted saying.

He said they are also making efforts to reach out to government towards completing the Secretariat which is now begging to be roofed.

The event which held at the Henry George Hotels Limited had in attendance Sport Writers across the State of harmony.

Among many other members if SWAN at the event were the Vice Chairman, Toyin Saheed, Secretary, Yinka Owolewa, Sportspro News Publisher Bayour Issah, Tunde Oyekola,Yusuf Feruke ,Kayode Okunola ,Ibitoye Shittu, Idowu Ojomu and host of others.

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Kwara State chapter is poised to expand the horizon of the game to all nooks and crannies of the State as the 2nd Kwara Scrabble closed champioship ends on Saturday, December 19th.

Speaking at the final event of the championship which held at the conference room of Kwara State Sports Council, Chairman of the association, Aliyu Olumayowa stated that the association will do more in raising the bar of the game and build a virile base for it’s development.

The Chairman, who said although Covid-19 pandemic affected some of their intended programmes under the year in review revealed that the association will roll out some initiatives in the coming year- among which are inter-collegiate, clubs and other several championships in a bid to stimulate huge participation .

“If not for Covid-19 pandemic,this year would have been flooded with Scrabble competitions, because myself and Coach had laudable plans for the game and that’s why we decided to at least  hold one before the year comes to an end”. He stated.

Aliyu, an immigration officer further disclosed that the two days closed champioship was organised to assess the strength of the existing players and discover new talents .

“Seven new players have been discovered and we are going to bring them on board – three of them were among  those that got the prizes and we also discover two players among six females that participated.”he concluded.

In his own remarks, Director of Kwara State Sports Council, Alarape Atanda commended the association for organizing the tournament which he said will boost the morale of the players ahead of the National Sports festival and other major tournaments.

Alarape urged the participants to concentrate more on the game with a view to improve their skills  while assuring them of the sports council support.

He also stressed the need to incorporate more female scrabble players in to the team regretting that the state couldn’t present any female player for the upcoming sports festival.

The champioship which last held in 2010 featured 22 players ;16 males and 6 females.
Shakirat Ahmed , who garnered the highest points to become the first in the  female category was  followed by an NTA reporter, Raliat Ibrahim and Promise Adeniran who won the second and third positions respectively with cash prizes inclusive.

Nagode Abiola, Shaba Stephen and Alli Kehinde had also respectively clinched the first to third positions in the male category with other 7 players towing behind them to make up the 10 prize awarding gifts positions.

The well attended final event was witnessed by personalities from all parts of Kwara state and beyond. They include, Mallam Jimoh Bashir, Kwara SWAN Chairman, Bayour Issah, Sportspro News Publisher, Gbenga Popoola, General Manager, NTA Ilorin , Patience Lawal, Head of Coaching, Kwara State Sports Council, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ajimati, the Coach of Kwara scrabble team and a host of others.