SWAN at 60: Imo Chapter Holds Thanksgiving Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri

The Imo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) joined the nationwide celebration of the association’s 60th anniversary with a special thanksgiving service at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.

Led by its Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, members of the association gathered at the cathedral on Sunday to express gratitude to God for six decades of impactful sports journalism in Nigeria.

Delivering his message during the mass, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, emphasized the importance of thanksgiving, describing it as an ancient act of gratitude observed by the Israelites at the end of every harvest season.

The Metropolitan Archbishop congratulated SWAN for its diamond jubilee and commended sports journalists for their critical role in informing and inspiring Nigerians through their coverage of sporting events at home and abroad.

“We need sports to remain healthy. God created us to move, and engaging in sports helps us stay fit while also teaching us the spirit of fair play — to win or lose without bitterness,” Archbishop Ugorji said.

Turning to political leaders, he urged them to adopt the same spirit of sportsmanship in elections, warning against turning politics into a “do-or-die affair.” He encouraged politicians to accept defeat with grace and prepare for future contests.

The Imo SWAN chapter, regarded as one of the most vibrant in Nigeria, will also be represented at the grand finale of the 60th anniversary in Abuja, where two of its members, Comrades Theodore Tasie and Chris Abiaziem, are scheduled to be honoured for their contributions to sports journalism.

The thanksgiving service marked the beginning of a weeklong celebration, reaffirming the chapter’s commitment to excellence and unity within Nigeria’s sporting media community.