By Silvernews Sports.
As part of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the Imo State chapter yesterday held a thanksgiving service at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
The service, which drew members of the association, sports enthusiasts, and Christian faithful, was presided over by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.
In his homily, Bishop Ugorji likened the thanksgiving to the Israelites’ annual harvest festival, which marked a period of gratitude to God for bountiful blessings. He observed that just as farmers in biblical times offered thanks for their harvests, modern institutions and associations equally set aside time to appreciate God’s faithfulness and guidance.
The prelate commended sports journalists for their contributions to national development through effective reportage, describing their work as vital in promoting unity and physical well-being.
He congratulated SWAN on its diamond jubilee, noting that sports remain an integral part of human life and a tool for building discipline, health, and social cohesion.
“We need sports in order to be healthy. God has created us to move our joints, and so sports are part of what we need to do to remain healthy,” Bishop Ugorji said.
He also urged politicians to emulate the spirit of sportsmanship in their conduct, especially during elections, stressing that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.
“In sports, we learn to win and lose without bitterness. Only one person can win at a time; others should prepare for the next round,” he advised.
Speaking shortly after the service, the Treasurer of Imo SWAN, Mr. Iyke Njoku, described the thanksgiving as a moment of reflection and appreciation for God’s faithfulness to the association over the years. He noted that the event marked the beginning of a series of activities lined up to commemorate SWAN’s 60th anniversary across the country.
“It is only proper that we begin our celebration in the presence of God, who has guided SWAN through six decades of service and growth. This thanksgiving is our way of saying thank you for how far He has brought us,” Njoku stated.
The thanksgiving service formed part of the events scheduled by the Imo SWAN to mark the association’s 60 years of service to sports journalism in Nigeria.
