By Sani Yarima
Alhaji Railwanu Malikawa Garu, the National Ex-officio in charge of North-West, urged state chairmen of the association to promote sports competitions in their respective states for the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria.
He made the plea during the 2024 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Full Council meeting held at the Global Luxury Hotel in Kano recently.
Malikawa, who is also the Sarkin Malikawa Garu in the Bichi Emirate Council of Kano State, further advised state chapters to avoid depending solely on state governments for organizing sporting activities.
He commended SWAN President Mr. Isiah Benjamin and the National Executive Council (NEC) for their dedication and steadfastness in uplifting the association.
Malikawa also expressed his appreciation for the members of the Full Council, made up of state Chairmen and Secretaries, as well as other national officials, for exhibiting sportsmanship and demonstrating their commitment to SWAN’s development in the country.
He noted that the attendance of 34 states of the federation, including the FCT, at the Full Council meeting was a testament to the Isiah Benjamin-led administration’s stability.
Malikawa who was also the Chairman of local organizing committee, emphasized that, as stakeholders, they would not sit idly by and watch a few individuals ruin a reputable association like SWAN, which was established in 1952.
Additionally, Alhaji Railwanu Malikawa Garu said that Kano SWAN is planning to organize a workshop for members of the Full Council to improve their sports writing skills.
He also advocated for the revival of the state’s Festival, as it was previously done, and thanked stakeholders and other partners for contributing to the success of the event.
Recall that the event was organized by the SWAN Kano State chapter under the leadership of Mr. Zahraddeen Saleh where some prominent Nigerians were conferred with an award for their contributions to sports development in Nigeria including the Minister of Sports Development and Alhaji Isiyaku Umar Tofa (OON), amongst others.
