In a sharp and uncompromising reaction, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), South East Zone, has condemned its exclusion from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) inaugurated yesterday for the 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Enugu.
The press release, jointly signed by the Zonal Vice President, Ikemefuna Asika, and Zonal Secretary, Kennedy Onwunali, described the omission as "unfortunate" and "wholly unacceptable", casting a cloud over what was otherwise expected to be a unifying moment for Nigerian sports.
SWAN, a longstanding partner in the growth and visibility of sports across Nigeria, argued that its absence on the LOC sidelines a key stakeholder whose input is vital for the success of the multi-sport event.
According to the release, the media body plays a central role in “effective media coverage, public engagement, and strategic communication”—elements considered crucial to any successful festival.
“The failure to include SWAN members in the LOC undermines these contributions and disregards the association's consistent support for sports development across the nation,” the statement read.
Observers within the Nigerian sports landscape have already begun to weigh in, with many echoing SWAN’s concerns.
For decades, the association has served as both a watchdog and a cheerleader for athletes, federations, and government initiatives, ensuring transparency, exposure, and public interest.
SWAN is now urging both the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Enugu State Government to swiftly reconsider the current committee composition. The association insists that any credible organizing framework for the NSF must reflect an inclusive philosophy especially in a region where sports media has played a prominent role in athlete development and public mobilization.
The 23rd NSF, scheduled to be hosted later this year in Enugu, is expected to attract thousands of athletes, officials, and fans from across the country. But with SWAN currently on the outside looking in, questions are being raised about the communication strategy, promotional architecture, and even the credibility of the festival's preparations.
As tensions simmer, all eyes now turn to the NSC and state authorities. Will they move to mend fences and restore SWAN’s place at the table? Or will this omission cast a long shadow over what is meant to be a celebration of national unity through sport?
One thing is certain: a festival without storytellers risks becoming a silent spectacle.
