ABEOKUTA– Ahead of the National Sports Festival to be hosted in Ogun state, the Sports Writes Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has advised the state government to carry the media along in its activities.
It added that the lack of media presence have so far took the shine away from the meticulous works being done by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Rising from its monthly Congress held at the SWAN Secretariat, at the MKO Abiola stadium, Kuto the Congress among other things lauded the state government resilience in hosting the national fiesta despite early hiccups.
The Congress communique signed by its Chairman, Daud Olatunji further appealed to the state government to look into the stadium dressing rooms for rehabilitation and give a facelift to the medical bay in line with what is obtainable globally, which will further attract national and international events to the stadium.
It however stressed the need for media gallery to be situated within the stadium for the smooth running and coverage of sports events even after the NSF.
“The congress reminds the state government on the abandoned multi – million dollars FIFA Goal project sited within the MKO stadium premises. This has no financial implication to the state government as the project will be fully funded by FIFA. This project has been sited in some other states, hence, we appeal to the state government to allocate land for the commencement of the project.
“The congress is concerned that the state government did not deem it fit to construct a media centre at the MKO stadium. Such a media centre will not only be beneficial to journalists during the games but will outlive the games for years to come. It must be reiterated that this is a media event that deserves huge publicity for its gains to manifest effectively. Ogun State should not deviate from the norm.
“The congress urges Ogun state government to refrain from concesioning the MKO Abiola International stadium after the festival. We urge the government to make the facility open for use by the general public for talent discovery and promotion of sports.
“The congress assures all visiting journalists of a warm, friendly and amiable environment for a successful coverage of the games.
” The Congress urged the state government to extend the ongoing reconstruction at the MKO Abiola International stadium to the SWAN secretariat, located within the stadium complex to enhance it’s standard”, the communique reads
