Barely two weeks after successfully holding its annual Week for 2021, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Oyo State Chapter has received a pat on the back.
The accolades were given to the umbrella body of sports journalists in Oyo State on Wednesday by the renowned cleric and scholar who is also the owner of Shafaudeen Patriots football club, Professor Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke J.P while receiving an award from Oyo SWAN at the Wakajaye headquarters of his organisation, Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide.
The founder and the Spiritual Leader of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide was honoured with a Grassroot Sports Promoter Award in recognition of his immense contributions to development of Sports at the grassroots.
Speaking after receiving the awards, the physically elated cleric eulogized Niyi Alebiosu led Oyo SWAN for recognizing his contributions to sports development in the state.
He said the award would spur him on to carryout more sports promotion.
“I’m promoting sports to fulfill my desire to make life better for our youth. I see sports as a way of engaging our youths positively. I believe that if sports is given all seriousness it deserves, many of our youths roaming the streets and carrying out violence and other vices will be gainfully empowered. Thus, I am promoting sports to improve youths welfare. I never knew a professional body as SWAN is watching me. I’m very happy at this honour and it will encourage me to do more”, Professor Olagoke said.
The retired lecturer of Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro who showered encomiums on Oyo SWAN, tasked the Association to continue to set agenda for government and sports administrators on how best to discover and nurture talents in the country.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Oyo Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Mr Niyi Alebiosu urged Nigerian youths to see sports as a profession where they could make name for themselves and their families.
“Sports is no longer a play thing, it is now a big deal that can give us fame and wealth. Athletes like Aruna Quadri and Enoch Adegoke are doing Oyo State and Nigeria proud. They are also making money and name for themselves. These are people our youths should see as their role models”, Alebiosu stated.
The award presentation ceremony also featured the commissioning of a brand new table tennis set recently procured by Professor Olagoke for youths in the area to polish their skills in ping pong game.
The new table tennis kits were commissioned by Mr Alebiosu.
