By Amos Etuk
The stakes are high among the different Chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists as the 2015 edition of the NUJ/ SWAN Games will hold from June 28 –July 5, 2015 as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter charts a stronger course in celebrating sports among professionals in the industry.
The weeklong event designed to be the biggest package and branding of a successful edition will create another opportunity for journalists in Akwa Ibom State to come together under a relaxed atmosphere, share experiences and compete for honours in decisive contests that will deepen stronger relationships among chapels, friends and others.
It has been a well thorough and packaged programme that will ensure that journalists in Akwa Ibom State take time off to build new bridges of friendship, new relationships, consolidating on existing understanding and opening new frontiers for greater understanding and partnership among themselves.
The 2015 edition has as its theme ‘’ The Media and Challenges of Sports Reporting in a Contemporary Nigerian Society’’, a carefully appraised topic that will offer deeper insights into the challenges of the beat as its specialized concept hopes to be given a new re-definition as it contributes to sports development and nation building.
The 2015 edition which has Yours Truly as Planning Committee Chairman, Emillia Ojemudia as Secretary and Eteobong Akpan as member have taken the pace to ensure that the edition turns out successfully with a very strong private sector presence and support to make the event the best and most successful in the history of SWAN in Akwa Ibom State.
The Thanksgiving Service heralds the weeklong of activities and it will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at The Apostolic Church, 18, Oku Street, Uyo while the seminar which would attract distinguished guests, stakeholders and the organised private sector will be chaired by one of the pioneer members of SWAN in Akwa Ibom State and immediate past member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson while Dr. Uwem Akpan of the Communication Arts Department of the University of Uyo will be the keynote speaker.
The seminar will attract notable names like the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Nse Edem, Hon. Isong Isang , the immediate past Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, Coach Aniedi Dickson, the Director of Sports in the State, Elder Patrick Albert, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Engr. Uwem Okoko, the CEO of Hensek Engineering Limited, the CEO of Semek Water Nigeria Limited among others from the organised private sector.
The day will also feature draws for the games and presentation of prize money to previous winners of the last edition.
The big show down begins from Tuesday, June 30 – Sunday, July 5, 2015 which includes Football matches of Five –A-Side for all Chapels of the Union, indoor games which will feature scrabble, chess, draughts, table tennis and jogging scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2015 at the Uyo Township Stadium by 6am. The indoor games will hold at the NUJ Press Centre on Friday, July 3, 2015 from 10am.
One unique feature of the games especially the football fixtures is that apart from the introduction of the Five-A –Side games, this edition strictly encourages that only professional and practising journalists will feature in the games to sustain a stronger bond among our colleagues as it will be scheduled for morning and afternoon games in line with the rules of game and FIFA Statutes.
The enthusiasm so far has been high with the defending champions of the football event, the Federated Chapel ( Federated Lions) looking forward to retaining their trophy and title as they face stiffer opposition this season from other chapels who have intensified their training schedules with expectations to do well at the games which we can celebrate as our own ‘’ Olympics’’.
The closing ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2015 with the finals of the football match and presentation of prizes to winners in the individual sports and football event.
One of the unique features of the 2015 edition is the active involvement of the Organised Private Sector in the state and for their overwhelming support in all aspects in making this edition a milestone in promoting media excellence in sports.
The private sector has fully come to identify and support the mileage and benefits from a sustained media partnership and the breakthrough is a perfect step that will enhance the new bond to chart a stronger private sector driven economy in line with the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
We commend the immense support of our partners and sponsors for the 2015 SWAN Games as their passionate commitment to contribute to the success story of the games remains historic and laudable.
Our sponsors have shown that they are stakeholders that who would continue to support the growth of sports in Akwa Ibom State as their firm commitments matched with actions have been an inspiration that we can truly re-define the role of sports in nation building and the depths of benefits that comes with the mileage.
We must sincerely commend the immense support given to the 2015 SWAN Games by the Ministry of Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nse Edem has shown that he is a visionary administrator and stakeholder in SWAN, Akwa Ibom State.
The support of the Ministry remains another milestone as he has sustained a bond between SWAN and the Ministry in breaking new grounds for sports partnership in Akwa Ibom State. Nse Edem remains a quintessential administrator that has begun a transformation on the face of sports in the state in line with the vision of the Udom Emmanuel administration. His administrative style speaks excellence with results beckoning and the firm commitment to partner with SWAN remains another historic feat.
Coach Aniedi Dickson, the Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been a great supporter towards the sponsorship and packaging of the 2015 SWAN Games. He remains one of the most professionally inclined administrators that has successfully propelled Akwa Ibom State to be among the top ten in the federation when it comes to sports especially the National Sports Festival.
He has embraced the 2015 SWAN Games with a sponsorship package for all the winners including the indoor games.
One of the greatest leaders that have transformed a formidable and well respected union in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria is Elder Patrick Albert, the State Chairman of the NUJ whose leadership continues to set new standards with visionary strides.
For the records, Elder Patrick Albert is a pioneer member of SWAN, Akwa Ibom State and has graciously supported the 2015 edition with a donation of a giant size Gold Trophy for the winner of the football event and we remain grateful. His leadership remains a reference for quality service delivery.
We also commend the contributions and immense support of Hensek Engineering Limited with Engineer Uwem Okoko as the Chief Executive Officer for their partnership and support with SWAN. Only recently, this prestigious indigenous company that has contributed to the development of infrastructure in the State successfully bankrolled a Tennis tournament at the Uyo Club which was widely acclaimed to be one of the best events in recent history.
His support for SWAN ushers a new renaissance for sustained partnership and more benefits for new opportunities in promoting sporting excellence in the media.
The support of Semek Water towards the success of the 2015 SWAN Games remains remarkable as they have shown that they remain at the fore in providing quality drinking water for their numerous clients and their commitment to partner with SWAN is another dynamics that has made this edition one of the best.
My friend and brother, Mr. Emmanuel Okon, Chief Executive Officer of Eminence Oil and Chemicals limited based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has also been a pillar of support to the 2015 edition of the SWAN Games. I believe this is the beginning of a continuous working relationship with both parties which will be beneficial as always.
I must thank my good friend and brother, Mr. Essien Ndueso for supporting the Games and my brother Ralph Edem who has taken sponsorship of one of the indoor games. They have believed in the vision of the new sporting excellence in SWAN and the foundation will surely promote the desired dividends and Chief Effiong Johnson for believing in the body and for his support towards the success of the games.
We will continue to solicit for more sponsors and partners in changing the face of sports promotion in Akwa Ibom State and we believe that the limitless opportunities it will offer will be beneficial to all parties.
The committee commends the support of the National Officer of SWAN and Vice President, South South, Mr. Justice Udousoro, the AkwaIbom State Executive of SWAN led by Elder Uwem Ekoh as Chairman, Enwongo Abasi Ituen, Vice Chairman, Solomon Bassey, Secretary and Eteobong Akpan, Treasurer who have guided and advised the committee so far to succeed
The 2015 SWAN Games is re-defined to make history and raise the bar for sports excellence among practicing journalists in Akwa Ibom State and the horizon that has come to glow over the body is a new chapter widely embraced to foster unity and love among members.
As we prepare for the games, we hold on to the dream of a festival of excitement and fulfilment that a new direction has been taken by SWAN to promote and reward the best in the profession in Akwa Ibom State.
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