Sports
SWAN remains dependable partner with the Youth and Sports Ministry, restates confidence in Dare
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has resolved to continue to remain a dependable partner with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
In the communique of the SWAN NEC zoom meeting, the association also passed a vote of confidence on Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development.
The meeting which was presided over by the SWAN National President, Comrade Ahmed Aigbona, and which had all NEC
members in attendance, also resolved that the association would continue to collaborate with the Ministry in the interest of sports
development.
According to the communique, the SWAN NEC faulted the claim of one AIPS-affiliated SWAN which was founded in
October 2019 in Port Harcourt and is being led by one Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, Honour Sirawoo.
The SWAN NEC said its national body, which is an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was not party to the communique which claimed that the Sports Minister has no regard for sports writers.
“The claim by that factional group is not only untrue, unfair
and misleading, but an attempt to blackmail the Minister.
“As a journalist of repute himself, the Minister has
shown tremendous respect to the media as we are partners
in progress in the development of sports in Nigeria.
“Since his appointment, the Minister has enjoyed a robust, cordial and sustained positive relationship with National SWAN, leading to the appointment of two of our esteemed colleagues from Lagos and Abuja as his media aides.
“The media also have unfettered access to the Minister’s
media team who provide information and news updates on a regular basis, especially during the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin,” the SWAN NEC said.
It added that the insinuation that the Minister has no regard for the media was unfounded and an attempt to soil the Minister’s relationship with his constituency.
National SWAN then pledged that it would continue to lend support to actualise the Minister’s vision in the best interest of youth and sports development in Nigeria.
“National SWAN holds the Minister in the highest esteem and we
will do everything professionally possible to create a conducive
environment for him to succeed,” it said.
SWAN NEC also disagreed that Edo 2020, which ended on April 21, was the worst National Sports Festival ever organised in the history of Nigeria.
It said this was more in the consideration of the attendance of
participating states and the world-class facilities provided across
the 11 centres used for the event.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was a success.”
The communique was signed by the association’s Deputy President, Ado Salisu, who was the Communique Drafting Committee Chairman, as well as Uja Emmanuel and Mike Oboh who is the association’s Secretary-General.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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