The Patroness of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter, Ambassador Romoke Ramat Ayinde has advised sports writers in the state to give more coverage to sports at the grassroots to encourage more people to invest in it.
Speaking while breaking fast with some sports journalists in compliant with the spirit of the ongoing Muslim Ramadan fasting, Ambassador Ayinde who is the Iyalaje Adini of Oyo State noted that most sports presenters are fond of hyping foreign competitions frequently.
Amb Ayinde, who is equally the Chief Executive Officer of Kayrom Lee Group of Companies charged the sports writers and broadcasters to channel the energies and resources used in hyping foreign competitions to promote grassroots sports and domestic competitions.
“It is very important that you showcase grassroots competitions to assist in discovering many talents that exist in all nooks and crannies of our country. Let your news package and productions have many grassroots sports contents. It will be highly beneficial to our society if you promote the activities of RACBAR which has in the past ten years been discovering and nurturing talents in various games as swimming, football, boxing, table tennis, tennis and others”, Amb Ayinde who is the founder of a multi sports academy, RACBAR said.
While pointing out the important role of the media in nation building and development of the society, Amb Ayinde, fondly called Kayrom Lee by her many admirers, enjoined the mediamen to use their ability to reach out to the masses and influence the public to set positive agenda for sports administrators in the country.
“Use your skills to develop Oyo state. Sports journalists have the ability to move mountains and not do things just to impress on social media. It is important to showcase what is on ground so people can capitalise on it and use it to attain success”, she advised.
In his welcome address at the iftar (the breaking of fast by Muslims), the Chairman of Oyo SWAN, Ayomiku Ajibola welcomed and appreciated his colleagues who attended the Iftar stating the importance of such occasion in bonding and promoting the ideals of friendship during the holy month of Ramadan. He also thanked Alhaja Romoke Ayinde for her generosity to the association.
According to him, “SWAN will continue to do more to build the spirit of togetherness amongst its members.”
The immediate past Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, Niyi Alebiosu in his goodwill message urged sports journalists to learn to diversify in their sports coverage. According to him, “there are over 35 internationally recognised Sports that you can pursue apart from football. This level of diversity can help you change lives and meet change makers in the world of sports.”
Also present at the iftar included the Vice Chairman of the Association, Gbenga Olugbodi, the immediate past Secretary, Adewale Tijani, the Treasurer of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Akeem Abas, a former Treasurer of NUJ in Oyo State and former NEC member of NAWOJ Mrs Yinka Bode Are, a front-line sports writers and boxing promoter, Olanrewaju Agiri and a host of other eminent sport journalists from various media organisations.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
