….As Chairman Bags Award
Olamilekan Folayemi
A workshop with the theme ” Education and Sports, a viable combination in Modern Day Society had been organized by the Ekiti State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)
The event held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday February 1 was to commemorate the 2022 edition of Nigeria Sports Journalists Day.
Participants included athletes as well as students from invited public and private secondary schools in the State.
The Resource persons namely Dr Bolu Jaiyesinmi from the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) and Mr Tope Ajayi who hopes to bag his PhD soon from the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti took time to dwell on the theme.
They both sensitized the students on the need to place premium on both education and Sports saying both could be combined without any hindrance.
Dr Jaiyesinmi recounted some of his students who were briliant in their courses of study and yet outstanding in sports adding that focus and determination were key element required to succeed in any field either education or sport .
He urged the participants not to quit their beloved Sports in the name of pursuing academic excellence stressing that parents have a role in encouraging youths to be at their best on both fronts.
On his part, Mr Tope Ajayi said any sportsman or woman could still attain the greatest height in academics if he or she is focused and determined.
He noted that “sports without education could hinder ones success in future” stressing that” peak performers needed to be committed to both their sports and academic developments”
Ajayi from the EKSU Sports Unit said champions were not born to succeed but they worked for the success that made them champions adding that no one could be champions for ever, hence the need for sportsmen and women to accord priority to education while inactive sports.
They both thanked the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN Ekiti State chapter for the privilege given them to enlighten the public.
At the occasion were the chairman, Ekiti State Sports Council, Hon. Olusola Osetoba and the General Manager, Mr Adekunle Adeyemi as well as some officials and Athletes of the sports Council.
The Sports Council chairman however sprung a surprise as she gave the Chairman , SWAN, Qozeem Oladapo an award as the most Resourceful Sports Writer in Ekiti state on behalf of the State Sports Council.
The elated SWAN chairman who was pleasantly surprised at the gesture dedicated it to the entire members and executive of the Association with a promise to keep doing the needful towards the promotion of local sports via all available platforms.
The Ekiti State Athletes Association also supported the SWAN program by making provision for the water taken by all participants at the occasion.
Immediate past chairman of SWAN, Ekiti State, Ayodeji Ogunsakin thanked the resource persons, Sports Council Management and all participants for honouring the invitation of the body of Sports journalists.
He described the program as a success considering the turn out and intellectual benefits derived by everyone.