The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) , Rivers State Chapter, has awarded  certificates of quality reportage at the just concluded  National Youth Games ( NYG) held in Asaba, Delta State, to Mr Kiadum Edookor, Mr Dele Obinna of The Tide Newspapers  and six other  members from various media.
Speaking during the event yestersday, in a congress meeting held at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the association Sarah David lauded the efforts of the eight members who covered the games.
According to her, the executive felt that was one of the ways to say thank you to the members who effectively reported the games in  Asaba, adding that the certificates  given to them were a mark of  honour and recognition because the reportage was equally exceptional.
“For us as executive of SWAN, Rivers, we felt that giving them certificates was one of the ways to say thank you to our members following their accurate reports during the games.
“Every right thinking person on SWAN Rivers WhatsApp platform will agree with me that our members who went to cover the games were exceptional, dropping reports per second per minute on our platform.
“We did not lack any information about the NYG as it has to do with Team Rivers. So we felt to thank them because they are real good ambassadors.
“And I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the State Ministry of Sports which has been partnering with the association over the years.
“As an executive we are also aware there are new things happening everywhere and that is why we also brought some innovations to the association” David said.
Other awardees include  Erenayo Dorcas Koki of Naija Info;
Ezinne Oti of Today FM;
Peter Abaje of DAAR Communications; Independent photo journalist, Ibisaki Temple Igani; Oqwy Osakwe of Super FM and Team leader, Innocent Solomon-Wokoma.
Also speaking, the leader of the eight-man team, Solomon-Wokoma expressed joy for receiving the certificate.
Wokoma, who was a FIFA badged referee, lauded the Chairman and the exco for the noble gesture.
Another recipient, Oqwy Osakwe, while expressing gratitude described the award as a pleasant surprise, saying that all the members who went to Asaba worked as a team to achieve success.
“It was as a result of passion for sports,” Osakwe said.
In the same vein an active member of the association Mba Kalu also thank the  exco, saying that this would encourage others to work harder subsequently.

By: Kiadum Edookor