SWAN congratulates Olopade as Director-General of NSC, Super Eagles’ 2025 AFCON qualification

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated Mr. Bukola Olopade on his appointment as the Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC).

In a letter to the new NSC DG dated November 15, 2024, through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, described the appointment of Mr. Olopade as a round peg in a round hole.

Mr. Benjamin expressed confidence that with the indepth knowledge and experience of Mr. Olopade over the years in the Nigeria’s Sports, the sector is about to excel more than ever before.

The number sports writer in Nigeria is also optimistic that the combination of the new NSC DG and the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, will take Nigerian Sports to greater heights.

Part of thr letter to Mr. Olapade reads, “No doubt your appointment is a testament of your unwavering commitment to sports development in Nigeria.

“As sporting media, we are quite optimistic in your ability to make remarkable impact within Nigerian sporting architecture as we assure you of our support as always. Being a friend of the media, we believe our partnership will continue to be strengthened as you creatively evolve a progressive and sustainable grassroots development strategy for Nigeria’s Sports.

“Also, we assure of our readiness to support you, just as we always play our watchdog role in highlighting areas the present administration could explore in reviving the huge sporting sector.”

Meanwhile, SWAN has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for it’s renewed commitment which ensured that they clinched the ticket to 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

SWAN in a statement on Friday said the team’s early qualification is a testament of a well-orchestrated plan and cooperation by relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Crew and Players of Super Eagles.

“SWAN welcomes the qualification of Super Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without breaking sweat. This goes to show the quality of the current Super Eagles coupled with the level of organisation by the Nigeria Football Federation,” the SWAN President said.

President Benjamin then urged NFF hierarchy, and all concerned to ensure early and efficient preparation of Super Eagles to the Nations Cup scheduled for Morocco, adding, “having won AFCON three times in history and finishing second best in 2023 edition, it’s time to push harder to win the fourth laurel in Morocco.”