The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Ogun State branch has encouraged Governor Dapo Abiodun to give the upcoming National Sports Festival the massive coverage it so richly deserves. The group claims that there is a communication gap between the public and the media as a result of the National Sports Festival’s preparations and activities being underreported. They emphasized that Ogun State shouldn’t stray from the usual and claimed that the sports event needs a lot of publicity in order for its advantages to materialize. At the conclusion of its congress on Wednesday in Abeokuta, SWAN Chairman Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Secretary Segun Folarin, and members of the committee that drafted the statement, Daud Olatunji, Yetunde Fatungase, and Babajide Adewunmi, jointly signed the statement.
The communiqué claimed that the MKO Stadium lacked a media center necessary for the efficient administration and coverage of athletic activities. If constructed, the communiqué noted, it would prove advantageous to journalists both during the games and for years to come. SWAN emphasized that Governor Abiodun must renovate the dressing rooms and give the medical bay a makeover, even as it praised him for providing top-notch facilities for the National Sports Festival throughout the state, particularly the swimming pool.
Among other things, they pointed out that this complies with international standards and would help the stadium draw more national and international events. Concerning the abandoned multi-million dollar FIFA Goal project on the grounds of MKO Stadium, the association asked the state governor to grant land so that the project could begin, adding that FIFA would cover all costs and the state government would not be financially damaged. “The Congress also commends the government for the upgrade of the MKO International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta,” the statement said.
However, in order to further draw national and international events to the stadium, the SWAN conference urged the state government to investigate the stadium’s dressing rooms for rehabilitation and give the medical bay a makeover in step with what is available globally. Even after the NSF, the congress emphasized the necessity of having a media gallery within the stadium to ensure seamless operations and coverage of sporting events.
The state administration is reminded by the congress of the abandoned FIFA Goal project, which cost millions of dollars and was located on the grounds of the MKO stadium. Since FIFA will provide all funding for the project, the state government will not be financially impacted. Since this project has already been located in another state, we are requesting that the state government provide land for the project to start.
The state government’s decision not to build a media center at MKO Stadium worries the congress. Journalists will benefit from such a media center not only during the games but also for years to come. It should be emphasized once more that this is a media event that requires extensive attention in order for its advantages to materialize. Ogun State shouldn’t go against the grain.
The Ogun State government is urged by the congress to forego concessioning the MKO Abiola International Stadium following the festival. We implore the administration to allow the public to use the facilities for sports promotion and talent identification. Nonetheless, the sports writers promised all visiting reporters a welcoming, cordial atmosphere for the games’ successful coverage.
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