By Ekpor Temple
Members of the Rivers State Chapter of the Sports
Writers Association (SWAN) attended a conference on Friday, September 1, 2023;
an intensive training program organized by the Association leadership to help
them cope with the challenges posed by health and to educate them on key areas
of their profession.
The Rivers State SWAN Chairman, Comrade Sarah Atonye David, stated
that the one-day course was designed to keep her members up to date on emerging
trends in sports media, particularly the International Football Association Board (IFAB) new rules. Sarah
expressed cheerlessness that, while sports journalists are frequently called upon to
cover a variety of sports, they rarely receive training to help them enhance
their talents and perform at the top level.
“I am fulfilled as the Chairman of Swan in Rivers State,
we have not had it this big when we have to invite the big names in sports in
Rivers State to be part of this training. We have some of our Elders talk to
us, raffle draws and our new members are inducted into the Association.
“When I came on board, we had a couple of events
including a shooting event and then somehow along the line, we got distracted
but thank God at the tail end of our administration we decided to host this
conference to educate our members to critical areas of their work in the
sporting profession.
Meanwhile, seasoned professionals taught during the
conference, with Dr. Chukwemeka Agi of the University of Port Harcourt
Sports Institute, also a consultant, sports physician, and radiologist with the
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, spoke on ‘Healthy lifestyle
and its Implications for sports journalist in Nigeria’.
“The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria and its
members constitute a very strong arm of what makes our society tick and
function properly. Today, we reminded ourselves of the need to prepare
medically via examination and safe health ethics.
“Knowing the mantra that prevention is better than
cure; having good and balanced food, and good fluids like water will help the
body function properly and gather as much knowledge in possible to stand tall
in their professional career.
He averred that there’s a need for members to regularly
evaluate and engage in medical examinations. He noted that SWAN Rivers should
partner with the Uniport Sports Institute to medically examine her members.
The conference also aimed to familiarize journalists with the new The International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules, with Mr. Solomon Wokoma, Current NPFL Referee Assessor, delivering a lecture that examined in detail how the new rules impact the round leather game, using experiential examples from recent club football games this season.
Meanwhile, Swan Rivers used the occasion to also
celebrate the birthday of the former National President of Swan, Dr. Honour
Sirawoo. Many of his friends who graced
the celebration poured out their goodwill messages on the footprints of the
sports administrator.
Erstwhile, SWAN National President, Hon. Honour Sirawoo
Ph.D, who was aghast with the outcome of the birthday packaged in his honour, commended
the leadership for the initiative. He said the profession is filled with
amateur reporters who do not understand the true definition of sports
journalism.
“Part of what we achieved in his administration was to
give a facelift and new direction and it depends on individual sports
journalists to give themselves the respect they deserve.
“Therefore, I advise sports journalists to evolve and
ensure they continue to develop themselves. Sirawoo stated.
Some of the members who participated in the conference
described the training as apt and relevant to the present realities they face
in the job.
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