SWAN, Abeokuta Golf Club Set To Train Ogun Sports Journalists On Golf Reportage

 

Ogun SWAN executives with Agura Of Gbaguraland, Oba Sabur Bakre at the golf course  

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) with the support of Abeokuta Golf Club has agreed to organize one-day seminar for Sports writers in the state on golf reportage.

The SWAN Chairman in the state, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde disclosed this on Tuesday when the executive members of the association paid a courtesy visit to the golf club situated at Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta. 

Akintunde noted that, many sports journalists in the country were running away from golf reportage because of its technicalities.

He said the workshop would avail members of the association in the state opportunity to know the nitty gritty of golf reportage and drive more interest towards the game. 

According to him, journalists in Nigeria are confronted with the demand to cover all sports beats unlike their counterparts in Europe where sports writers are assigned to a sport segment.

"The Captain sir, since we came on board, we have been meeting with stakeholders in the state to improve on welfare and human capacity of our members. 

"You will agree with me that, we don't have many journalists coming here to cover the game of golf because of the difficulties associated in understanding the technicalities of the sport. 

Abeokuta Golf Club Exco with SWAN exco

"Therefore, we want to solicit your support to sponsor a one-day seminar for our members in the state to know the nitty gritty of the game. In Nigeria, we are condemned to be shinning light and good journalists, because we are Jack of all trades. 

"Unlike in Europe where a journalist is only to cover one sport and become a master at it, here in Nigeria, a sports writer must report all sports and because majority of my colleagues don't know much about golf, they refrain from covering it and analyze it."

In his response, the Club Captain, Engr. Kola Adeleye said the club would work out the modalities to ensure the workshop becomes a reality.

Engr. Adeleye added that, the training is imperative for Sports writers in the state to develop more interest in reporting golf.

"I welcome you to the most challenging golf course in Nigeria. People have always been saying that golf is an elitist game because of its technicalities and equipment. To play golf is not as expensive. What many of us need to do is to reorder our priorities to play golf. 

"To play golf comes with lots of alertness. The advantage and benefits are enormous.

"The one-day seminar you requested can be organized. We will look into it and see how to go about it. You Ned this training because it will help you to report our game well. You will know the terms like the fair ways, the green, the bunker which some of you does not know."

Captain Adeleye therefore called on members of the public to develop interest in playing golf as it helps to modify their character.

Other members of the Golf Club executive are; the club Secretary, Surveyor Ekundayo Folarin, Mr. Kola Obadimu, PRO, Mr. Segun Eleyoowo, Treasurer and Mr. Dolapo Junaid - Asst. Secretary.