Countdown To SWAN Congress: Kaduna Puts Final Touches To Hosting Arrangements

Countdown To SWAN Congress: Kaduna Puts Final Touches To Hosting Arrangements 

By Niyi Busari 

Preparations have reached an advanced stage in Kaduna ahead of the 2026 Triennial National Delegates Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), with sports journalists and delegates from across the country expected to converge on the Kaduna State capital from August 26 to 28, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The Congress, themed “Harnessing the Power of Sports and the Media for National Development, Youth Empowerment and Global Competitiveness,” is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to assess the state of sports journalism, strengthen professional collaboration and chart a new direction for the association.

Speaking ahead of the gathering, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, said the Congress should not be viewed solely as an electoral exercise but as an opportunity for members to collectively address challenges confronting sports journalists and reposition the association for greater impact.

“The SWAN Triennial National Delegates Congress is more than an electoral gathering. It is an opportunity for us as sports journalists to reflect, deliberate and renew our commitment to using sports and the media as instruments for national development. I urge all delegates to come prepared to contribute meaningfully to the process,” Benjamin said.

The Chairman of the Kaduna State SWAN Chapter, Shehu U. Abdullahi, assured delegates and invited guests of a warm reception, saying the host chapter had put necessary arrangements in place for the successful staging of the Congress.

“Kaduna is ready. We are delighted and proud to welcome the leadership of SWAN, delegates from the 36 states and the FCT, invited dignitaries and other stakeholders. We are committed to ensuring that every delegate feels at home and experiences the hospitality of Kaduna,” Abdullahi said.

SWAN Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, ANIPR, also expressed confidence in the preparedness of the host state, noting that arrangements had been intensified to ensure a seamless experience for delegates throughout the three-day programme.

“We are fully prepared to receive our colleagues and guests. Our focus has been on ensuring that the Congress experience is seamless, from the arrival of delegates to the various activities lined up for the gathering. We are confident that Kaduna will give the SWAN family a memorable experience,” Okonkwo said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the SWAN 2026 Triennial Congress Media Committee, Samuel Ahmadu, said the committee had concluded plans for extensive coverage of the event across traditional and digital media platforms.

Ahmadu said the committee’s responsibility extends beyond reporting the proceedings, stressing the importance of communicating the significance of the Congress and the decisions that emerge from it to a wider audience.

“Our responsibility is not only to report what happens in Kaduna but also to tell the story of why this Congress matters. We are engaging media platforms across the country to ensure that the conversations, ideas and decisions emerging from the Congress reach audiences across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

The Congress is expected to attract SWAN delegates and executives from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside government representatives, sports administrators, media stakeholders and other invited dignitaries.

Beyond its statutory administrative and electoral responsibilities, the Congress is expected to deliberate on key issues affecting sports journalism, including professional development, digital transformation, media ethics, journalists’ welfare and the broader role of sports journalism in national development.

With delegates expected to begin arriving in Kaduna from August 26, the city is poised to become the centre of Nigeria’s sports journalism community as preparations continue for the opening ceremony scheduled for Thursday, August 27.