The founder of SamKay Athletics Club, Dr. Kola Oredipe has solicited for the support of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as he seeks for the south-south zonal position in the board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria
Kola Oredipe made the appeal on Saturday during a World Press briefing at the Media Centre of the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Dr. Kola, in a remark, explained that the reason for the briefing was to inform SWAN officially that he would be running for the position of the South-South zonal Rep in the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Dr Kola Oredipe who is also the Vice Chairman of Bayelsa State Athletics Association runs a sole Athletics Academy which holds a quarterly Secondary Schools Athletics Meets in Yenagoa with a donation of various sporting equipments and kits to young athletes in Bayelsa State.
The Director General to the Bayelsa State Government on New Media, emphasized that SWAN is his primary constituency, hence the need to seek the Association’s support in propagating his antecedents and gospel across the country and beyond.
“First of all I started my journalism career in Lagos about two months before I left for Portharcourt where I became head of news at Treasure FM and I was an active sports reporter in Portharcourt as at that time where I navigated and built friendship.”
“And I think this journey I’m embarking upon, I need the support of SWAN as colleagues.” Kola noted
“I’m contesting for the South-South Zonal Representative position in the AFN to contribute my experience to the growth of athletics in the region. I’m coming into the AFN board with innovation, inclusiveness, and grassroots development plans as I believe regular competitions in the region will help discover, nurture, and grow young athletes.” Dr. Kola concluded.
In a goodwill message, President Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Comrade Benjamin Isaiah extended the Association’s solidarity to one of its own, urging Sports journalists to seek for several positions in the board of Federations.
Comrade Isaiah lauded Dr. Kola Oredipe for the bold steps to go into sports politics, stressing that it would serve as inspiration to other journalists across the nation.
