NAN-S-24
Enlightenment
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Feb. 1, 2017 (NAN) Sports administrators in Oyo State have called for continuous enlightenment of stakeholders on the rules of the round leather game.
This was the consensus of participants at a seminar on the amendments of football rules held at the indoor Sports Hall of Lekan Salami Stadium on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by the Oyo State Football Association in collaboration with Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo state chapter.
NAN also reports that the seminar was held to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of SWAN in Nigeria.
Dr Dele Oladipo, an Associate Professor of Sports Science at the University of Ibadan, stressed the need for journalists as mirror of the society to abreast themselves with the changing rules of the game.
Mrs Sarah Adebisi, a retired FIFA referee and Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Assessor corroborated Oladipo’s view, saying such would enhance excellent reportage of the game.
Similarly, Prof. Babatunde Asagba, an ex FIFA instructor and Professor of Human Kinetics said that it was very essential for sports journalists to have deep knowledge of the rules of the sport for excellent coverage of the game.
Earlier, Mr James Odeniran, the Oyo State FA Chairman explained that the seminar was put together to intimate journalists and stakeholders with the modifications of football rules.
Mr Abayomi Oke, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports called for more of such seminars to allow stakeholders share ideas and knowledge.
Oke, who was represented by Mr Gboyega Makinde, the Acting General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council said such seminar if adopted would help educate stakeholders on new developments in the game.
Mr Niyi Alebiosu, the SWAN Chairman in the state commended ingenuity of the organisers of the seminar, notingthat it acquainted sports journalists with the amendments to rules of the game.
Alebiosu stated that such was the motive behind the last sports summit organised by the state chapter of SWAN in 2016.
Mr Boye Ajayi, the SWAN National Vice-President (South West) expressed optimism that the seminar would go a long way in assisting SWAN members in reporting the game.
He, however, promised to ensure that such seminar would be replicated in the zone and on a regular basis to educate members on the new developments in the game.
NAN reports that participants, most of whom were media professionals expressed delight at the seminar, saying it had afforded them the opportunity to acquire more knowledge of about the game. (NAN)
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama