Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Adeboye, has urged sports journalists to intensify coverage of grassroots sporting activities to identify, promote and nurture talents in Nigeria.

He made the call at the SWAN Day celebration, part of activities marking the 60th anniversary and Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Mr Adeboye, represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Smart City Football club, Seun Betiku, said sports journalism remained an important instrument for promoting national development and inspiring young people.

He emphasised that sports journalism goes beyond reporting match results, saying it plays a critical role in discovering talents, celebrating excellence, exposing shortcomings and inspiring young people to pursue their ambitions.

Mr Adeboye said that several talented young athletes in Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas remained undiscovered due to inadequate access to organised competitions, quality coaching, sporting facilities and media exposure.

He challenged sports journalists to extend their coverage beyond established sporting events and personalities to include school competitions, community tournaments, and rural sporting activities.

Mr Adeboye said that many future national, continental and international champions could be found in rural communities if they were identified early, properly nurtured and given the necessary opportunities.

“An ordinary schoolgirl who wins her first athletics medal today could become an Olympic champion tomorrow. When we tell these stories, we attract attention, encourage investment and inspire other young people,” he said.

He urged media organisations to make grassroots sports a regular feature of their newspapers, radio and television programmes, as well as digital platforms.

According to him, increased visibility would help connect talented athletes with opportunities and potential investors.

Mr Adeboye called for collaboration between the media and grassroots sporting institutions, describing sports development as an investment in the nation’s youth, economy and future.

Earlier, the Oyo State SWAN Chairman, Ayomiku Ajibola, called on sports journalists to continue supporting sports activities, promote transparency, and encourage grassroots sports development and welfare.

The Chairman of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Akeem Abas, urged sports writers to continue to discourage sensationalism, unverified reports, and defamatory scandalism, which could undermine the journalism profession’s integrity.

Mr Abas reaffirmed his commitment to promoting unity among all chapels, improving members’ welfare, and creating opportunities for capacity building and professional development.

The royal father of the day, the Alakinyele of Akinyele, Oba James Odeniran, urged SWAN members and journalists to continue adhering to the ethics of the profession.

The traditional ruler further urged them to be objective in their criticism and shun bias. 

(NAN)