By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta
The National Secretariat of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has enjoined stakeholders in the sports sector, especially members of the public to disregard a communiqué issued by its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, wherein the association was presented to have taken a position on certain burning national issues.
SWAN stressed that, the position taken by its FCT chapter was done without recourse to rules guiding the association.
The FCT SWAN had in a communiqué expressed dissatisfaction over the affairs of the sports sector in the country.
But SWAN in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Olawale Alabi emphasized that, the FCT SWAN chapter lacks the power to issue such, which is exclusively the responsibility of the National Convention, National Executive Committee and Full Council.
Alabi said SWAN is working assiduously with other critical stakeholders to address the present challenges facing sports in Nigeria, saying at the appropriate time, the respective organs will react on burning national issues in line with SWAN rules of engagement, as promoters of sports and watchdog of the sector.
Alabi stated that, relevant provisions of SWAN rules and extant laws clearly stipulate the powers of State Chapters and its limitation, stressing that State Chapters are by the provisions of SWAN Statutes only empowered to promote, query, and support sports-related matters in their respective domains.
The SWAN Secretariat therefore, warned to desist from crossing its boundaries or be sanctioned in accordance with the Statutes of the Association.
“In the case of FCT chapter, it is confined to deal with sports activities, issues, associations, and that of its Minister as well as sports institutions owned by the territory’s development authority.
“For the umpteenth time and particularly for the knowledge of the FCT Chapter, only the National Convention, National Executive Council (NEC) and Full Council have powers to issue communiqué on national issues as it concerns sports administration and development in Nigeria”.