The Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, has called on the Ogun State Government to develop a comprehensive sports masterplan to ensure sustainable sports development and effective talent discovery.
Speaking after his re-election during the association’s delegates’ congress in Abeokuta, Comrade Ogunsiji said investments in sports infrastructure must be complemented by proper maintenance, regular competitions and long-term athlete development.
He expressed concern over the poor condition of facilities at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, particularly the abandoned swimming pool and the absence of a functional practice pitch, urging government to prioritise rehabilitation and maximise the use of existing infrastructure.
The Ogun SWAN Chairman also called for the restoration of commercial and recreational activities within the stadium complex, saying reviving the night economy would improve security, increase internally generated revenue and make the facility more attractive to residents.
Comrade Ogunsiji regretted that the gains recorded during the 2025 National Sports Festival had not translated into sustained grassroots sports programmes capable of producing future champions.
He also urged the Ogun State Football Association, football academies and clubs to strengthen talent identification and development, noting that the state had not produced many players for the national teams in recent years despite its rich football heritage.
The SWAN Chairman further appealed for stronger partnerships among government, corporate organisations and sports stakeholders to revive sports development initiatives and improve support for sports journalism.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has
While presenting the certificates of return to the newly elected executive members, the National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, represented by the South-West Vice President, Ayodeji Ogunsakin, urged the newly elected Ogun State executive to prioritise capacity building, especially in digital journalism and emerging media technologies, to enhance professional sports reporting.
Ogunsakin also lauded the Ogun State Government for providing the chapter with a befitting secretariat, describing the facility as the best among SWAN chapters in the South-West region.
He appealed to the state government to sustain its support for the association while urging other critical stakeholders in the sports sector to partner with the chapter in advancing sports development.
Other elected officers are; Taiwo Fabajo from OGTV as Vice Chairman, Olusegun Folarin from Radio Nigeria as Secretary, Seun Odunlami as Assistant Secretary, Michael Adesanya from Core TV as Treasurer, Bayo Adegboyega from OGBC as Welfare Officer and Hassan Yusuf Olatunji as Financial Secretary.
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