Osun SWAN pick Ooni as Patron, as Monarch Canvasses for local sports development.

By Akanni Seyi

The Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State chapter, on Wednesday, inducted the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as the Patron of the association in the state.

Presenting the Ooni with the honour in his palace in Ile-Ife, the Osun Chairman of SWAN, Mr Adeyemi Aboderin said the traditional ruler was being honoured and inducted, as recognition for his cause of championing unity and peace among Nigerians.

Aboderin said, in addition to championing unity, the Ooni was also being recognised for his passion and investment in sports and believe in youths empowerment, being noble ideas and objectives the association wishes to align with.

While accepting the investiture, the Ooni said he was accepting the position because of the leadership quality and ideas being displayed by the new SWAN executives.

He said the role occupied by the media was priceless, having the powers to turn things around, as well as promoting sports development.

The monarch then charged the sports writers to concentrate and report more local sports and events, stressing that giving foreign sporting activities and leagues too much coverage is another form of second colonisation.

“The more publicity we are giving the foreign leagues, the richer their economy becomes. You should focus more on the happenings at home in order to bring back the lost glory,” he concluded.

Speaking at the induction event, the National Chairman of SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawo said the association was proud to have the Ooni as the royal patron of the association in the state.

Sirawoo said SWAN was out to promote sport development and help diversification of the country’s economy through sports.

He said sport can be an alternative to oil revenue generation and said that the ideas and aims of the Ooni was in line with the association’s sport development indices.

The event again witnessed the presentation of a plaque and medal by the National and State Chairmen of SWAN to the Ooni as the association state patron.