Sports entrepreneur and founder of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark, has congratulated the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on its 60th anniversary, pledging continued support for the association and the growth of sports journalism in the country.
Mark, who was honored with an award for his outstanding contributions to sports development during SWAN’s diamond jubilee celebration in Abuja on Friday, expressed pride in his long-standing association with the body.
In his acceptance speech, Mark lauded SWAN’s indispensable role in promoting Nigerian sports and amplifying the achievements and challenges faced by athletes and administrators alike.
“SWAN remains a veritable vehicle for disseminating information to the public. They amplify both the good and the bad, serving as a tracker to measure our performance in the sports ecosystem,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern that the association’s crucial efforts are often underappreciated, noting that sports journalists are sometimes unfairly blamed during moments of national disappointment.
“I wonder why the efforts of SWAN are not celebrated. Instead, they are often made scapegoats in times of crisis or poor outings by our contingent during international competitions,” Mark remarked.
Despite these challenges, Mark reaffirmed his commitment to supporting SWAN, calling for greater professionalism and improved welfare for its members.
“As an individual, I will continue to support the association while advocating for more professionalism and better welfare for its members,” he added.
Mark’s sports initiative, the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, has earned national recognition for nurturing young basketball talents and reviving interest in grassroots sports across Nigeria.
The event marked a major milestone for SWAN, as members, partners, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate six decades of excellence in sports reporting and advocacy.
