It was a weekend of full soccer display inside Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on a day organizers kicked off the maiden Nationwide League One competition for grassroots clubs.
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The opening day action which featured four matches out of the scheduled games witnessed the attendance of special dignitaries including the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin.
On arrival at the ancient city, the SWAN President as the Special Guest of Honour at the NLO Cup tournament kick-off was graciously received by the Chairmen of SWAN and other major stakeholders from various States within the North-West region of the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, hailed the NLO board and management for their foresight in advancing grassroots football development in Nigeria.
He also appreciated the support and direction offered to the NLO leadership which gave them the platform to perform while calling on spirited individuals and corporate bodies to always contribute to the growth of Nigerian football.
He said, “The initiative to organize this competition is a noble one which should be sustained. All hands must be on the neck to uplift the standard of football and indeed Sports in the country.
“There won’t be a need to worry and spend so much on the security of lives and property if adequate attention is paid to the development of human infrastructure. And since the young people constitute the majority population of Nigeria, Sports remain the major area to channel effort, annual budget and sponsorship drive.”
“As sporting media, we are committed to promoting every move that will take Nigerian Sports to enviable heights.”
The number one sports writer, accompanied by SWAN Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo later thanked the seven SWAN Chairmen as well as Kano SWAN members who turned out en mass to accord him a rousing welcome in the zone.
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Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of NLO, Mr. Shola Ogunnowo, who was on the ground expressed appreciation to Sports Journalists for steady support and assured of greater participation, adding, “Football is media, media is football.
NLO as a league body, will continue to explore avenues aimed at taking football development to the next level.”
Other major stakeholders who attended the opening ceremony include the Chairman of the Kano Football Association and a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sheriff Ahlan, among others.
Also, two former SWAN Vice Presidents, Alhaji Idris Malikawa Garu and Ado Salisu were among those who received the SWAN President.
Alhaji Ahlan who observed and appreciated the way the entire SWAN leadership in the zone rallied round to receive the National President said the solidarity showed that Sports Writers in Nigeria are back together and that such measure should be sustained for greater success.
