SWAN Faults MOC Over Accreditation Delay

The Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) yesterday faulted the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 18th National Sports Festival on the delay in the accreditation of journalists at the Games.

The chapter’s Vice-Chairman, Wale Joseph, told the Tidesports in Lagos that the accreditations ought to have been ready for the festival which began yesterday.

“Accreditations for journalists covering the event were to be ready on Monday, but up till now, they are not,” Joseph said.

The journalists, who thronged the SWAN secretariat at the National Stadium, Lagos yesterday for their accreditation cards were surprised when told that they were not ready.

Joseph stressed that SWAN was not in any position to print accreditation cards, adding that it was the sole responsibility of the MOC.

He added that the chapter had supplied the MOC with all necessary information on journalists wishing to cover the Games, stressing that it was the duty of the MOC to have completed the accreditation on time.

“We are not the ones to accredit journalists, it is the sole responsibility of the MOC and we have since supplied them with the necessary information,’’ he said.

Joseph, who said that the delay in journalists’ accreditation was common in sports festivals, however, allayed fears of intimidation that might arise from the non-possession of accreditation cards.

He said that SWAN would continue to pressurise the MOC for the prompt issuance of the cards.

The vice chairman, therefore, urged journalists covering the event to continue with their coverage, without any fear, saying the accreditation problem would soon be resolved.

Danjuma Fatauchi, an MOC member, declined comment on the accreditation issue, saying that he was not in the position to make any comment.

Meanwhile, SWAN’s internet facilities at its secretariat, which the association said would serve as a sub-media centre for the Games, had begun operation.

Journalists were seen using the facilities to send their reports to their various media organisations.