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The Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the state government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its sustained investment in sports development and the successful organisation of the 8th edition of the Kwara State Sports Festival.
The commendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s congress held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Taiwo Awoniyi Sports Media Centre, SWAN Secretariat, Ilorin.
The congress described the state sports festival as an important platform for youth engagement, talent discovery and development, peaceful coexistence and the promotion of unity among the people of Kwara State.
It consequently urged the state government to sustain the sports festival either annually or biennially, noting that continued investment in grassroots sports would provide opportunities for young people across the 16 local government areas to discover and develop their talents.
The association also commended the Kwara State Sports Commission under the leadership of Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji for successfully organising the 8th edition of the festival, particularly for recognising the role of the media by appointing members of Kwara SWAN to the festival’s Media and Publicity Committee.
According to the communiqué, the festival enjoyed extensive media coverage largely due to the commitment and professionalism of members of Kwara SWAN.
The sports writers reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to promote sports programmes and initiatives in the state through adequate publicity, visibility and responsible sports journalism.
The congress also congratulated SWAN National President, Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, and members of the National Executive Council on their re-election at the association’s Triennial Delegate Conference and Elective Congress held in Kaduna.
However, the association expressed concern over the vacancy in the position of Vice President, North Central, following the absence of a contest for the position at the Kaduna Congress.
It urged the SWAN National Executive Council to take immediate steps to fill the vacancy in accordance with the association’s constitution, while giving due consideration to qualified and eligible members from Kwara State.
The congress maintained that eligibility under the SWAN Statute should remain the primary consideration in filling the vacant position, urging that the eligibility of prospective nominees be carefully established in line with the relevant provisions of the statute.
Meanwhile, the Kwara SWAN Congress has commenced preparations for its 2026 SWAN Week, with the Main Organising Committee expected to be constituted and announced in the coming days.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Jimoh Bashir, alongside Nicholas Unwerunonye and Michael Odetunde as members.
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