The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dickalo Group of Company.
The partnership agreement which was formalised on Friday is the climax of an extensive engagement between both parties in their shared resolve to strengthen sports development in the State.
Speaking at the brief event, the Chairman of SWAN, Mallam Ayodeji Ismail disclosed that the agreement is hinged on one of the cardinal points of his administration to create more opportunities for members of the association.
While thanking the Dickalo Groups for the gesture, he noted that the leadership of the association will not relent on its oars to justify the mandate given to them.
In his own remarks, the CEO of Dickalo Group of Companies, Architect Olubunmi Komolafe Dickalo described Sports Writers as critical stakeholders of the sports industry.
“The impact of SWAN cannot be overemphasised in the development of sports. I am very happy for this partnership and I believe that this will further strengthen our relationship”.
Architect Komolafe, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Super Eagles Supporters Club (SESC), Kwara State chapter seized the avenue to announce Dickalo U-17 Football tournament which will be staged in collaboration with SWAN.
The competition which will be held at Kwara football Academy pitch between June 15th to 19th is aimed at discovering talented footballers that will be integrated into Dickalo Football Academy for onward development and exposure.
He revealed that the draws for the five-day tournament will take place at Kaiama local government immediately after the elective congress of Kwara State football Association on June 13th.
“The choice of that date and the venue was inspired by the need to further promote the idea of the tournament which will host teams from 10 different local governments of Kwara State and two other teams from Ibadan and Abeokuta”
The local government that will participate in the tournament include Kaiama,Patigi, Baruten, Edu, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oke-Ero, Isin, Ilorin East and Ilorin West with the remaining two teams coming from Ibadan and Abeokuta.
While noting that accommodation will be provided for the teams, he explained that each of the participating teams will be facilitated by their respective local football council with the exception of the teams from Ibadan and Abeokuta.
Top Nigeria football coaches which include Coach Tunde Sanni (Abia Warriors/Chairman of Nigeria Football Coaches of Association, Kwara State Chapter), Bala Abubakar (Niger Tornadoes Head Coach) and Festus Allen (Former MFM Gaffer) will be on ground to witness the football competition. The screening committee of the football competition will be headed by Alhaji Ahmed Abdallahi ,a YSFON National officer.
Architect Komolafe also announced that the winners of the competition will smile home with the sum of N100,000; first runners to pocket N75,000 while the second runners up will also take home a sum of 50,000 with other individual awards.
The event was witnessed by the wife of the Dickalo helmsman, Mrs. Adeola Komolafe; former Chairman of Kwara SWAN, Mallam Jimoh Bashir; the current Vice Chairman of SWAN, Toyin Saheed and Secretary, Dare Kuti and a host of others.
