Sports
NUJ Boss Backs Honour Sirawoo For SWAN President
Chairman, Nigeria
Union of Journalist, Rivers State Council, Ayo Tamuno has called for nationwide support for the candidacy of Honour Sirawoo in his bid to become national president of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN.
Sirawoo who is currently Vice President South South SWAN, picked up his nomination form on Tuesday and Tamuno who was present at the occasion, says” it is a candidacy worth supporting and as a result, the Rivers state council of Nigeria Union of Journalist had decided to fully back Sirawoo in his quest for SWAN’s top position.
The Rivers State council of the NUJ is proud to be associated with this project.
In our last congress meeting, in May to be precise, the council agreed to endorse the candidacy of Honour as National President of SWAN.
In that meeting we agreed he is our project and that is why I stand on behalf of the NUJ (Rivers Council) to make a formal presentation to Nigerians in his bid to contest this position”.
The South-East and South-South has not produced a National President since the establishment of SWAN in 1964 and there appears to be an understanding within the association that either of the zones should produce the next president.
Acknowledging the agreement, the NUJ boss said, “should Sirawoo go on to emerge winner it would definitely be history made as far as SWAN is concerned. I am happy with members from across the country who have already shown support for the Rivers State candidate.
We want to thank our brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues from other parts of the country that are also seeing Honor as a candidate worthy to steer the ship of SWAN in the nation.
“What we are telling the nation and everybody is that what he is doing is with our (NUJ) knowledge and we hope that God will bless all of us, our brothers and sisters from other parts of the country, so that come July, Honuor will emerge as President of SWAN and it will be history made for us (Rivers State) to produce a chairman”.
SWAN‘s national election is scheduled to hold in Ilorin on July 13
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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