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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Cross River State Chapter, has formally reaffirmed its return to active sports journalism after years of inactivity, following a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The visit, held at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, marked a symbolic and strategic reconnection between SWAN and its parent professional body, underscoring renewed commitment to sports coverage and institutional collaboration.

Leading the delegation, the Chairman of SWAN Cross River State Chapter, Comrade Mike Akpang, described the visit as both necessary and urgent, given the long period of dormancy that affected the association’s visibility.

Akpang told the NUJ leadership that returning to the union first was deliberate, noting that the NUJ remains the mother organisation of journalists and the foundation upon which professional journalism thrives.

According to the SWAN chairman, sports journalism occupies a unique position in media practice, as sports development relies heavily on consistent, informed, and credible media participation to grow and remain relevant.

“The sports sector is one area you cannot divorce from the media,” Akpang said, stressing that without sustained coverage, sports administration, athlete development, and public engagement suffer significantly.

He explained that SWAN in Cross River State had remained inactive for over three years due to the absence of a constituted executive, a situation that weakened engagement with stakeholders and sporting institutions.

Akpang noted that the leadership vacuum created doubts among sports administrators, athletes, and government officials about whether SWAN still existed as a functional body in the state.

He disclosed that the association’s renewed leadership is determined to reverse that narrative by resuming full activities, restoring credibility, and re-establishing SWAN as a central voice in sports discourse.

Providing further insight, the SWAN chairman said the association has already begun mapping out strategic engagements with key stakeholders across the sports sector within the state.

He listed planned visits to the Commissioner for Sports, the Cross River State Sports Commission, military and paramilitary sports units, and institutional sports departments as part of the re-engagement process.

Akpang added that SWAN would no longer wait passively for invitations before acting but would initiate projects that place sports journalism at the centre of sports development.

According to him, one of the major initiatives under consideration is the introduction of an award and recognition system to honour individuals who devoted their lives to sports development.

He said many contributors to sports growth in the state had become inactive due to age or health and had been largely forgotten, despite their sacrifices and long years of service.

Akpang argued that recognizing such individuals would not only restore dignity to their contributions but also inspire younger generations to commit meaningfully to sports development.

He further explained that SWAN’s prolonged inactivity previously affected Cross River State’s participation in national programmes, including nomination processes for national honours.

Citing discussions with national officers, Akpang said some states benefitted from awards during SWAN’s 60th anniversary celebration last year in Abuja, while Cross River State missed out.

“That happened because we were not active and could not make recommendations,” he said, adding that the association intends to correct that gap through renewed participation.

Midway into the visit, Akpang formally informed the NUJ Chairman that the National Vice President of SWAN, Comrade Bonny Nyong, recently inaugurated a six-man Executive Council for Cross River State.

He introduced the officers, naming himself as Chairman, Comrade Chris Njoku of the News Agency of Nigeria as Vice Chairman, and Comrade Esien Ita of CRBC as Secretary-General.

Other members of the executive include Comrade Musa Kutama of Triumph Newspaper as Financial Secretary, Comrade Tina Todo of The Guardian as Treasurer, and Comrade James Ekpo Ofana of Cannan FM as Welfare Officer.

Responding to the delegation, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, welcomed SWAN back into active professional engagement.

Bassey congratulated the newly inaugurated executive and described the visit as a positive signal that sports journalism was regaining its rightful place within the state’s media landscape.

She commended the SWAN leadership for restoring unity after years of internal challenges, noting that stability within professional bodies strengthens journalism practice as a whole.

According to the NUJ chairman, collaboration between NUJ and SWAN remains essential, particularly in promoting ethical standards, professional development, and responsible sports reporting.

Bassey assured the delegation of NUJ’s support, urging the association to remain inclusive, transparent, and consistent in its activities to prevent a recurrence of past crises.

She emphasized that unity within SWAN would enhance its bargaining power, visibility, and ability to influence sports policy and development in Cross River State.

The NUJ chairman also encouraged the SWAN leadership to sustain engagement with grassroots sports, athletes, and administrators to ensure balanced and people-focused reporting.

Both organisations agreed that rebuilding trust, professionalism, and stakeholder confidence would require consistency, consultation, and adherence to journalistic ethics.

The visit ended on a note of goodwill, with mutual commitments to strengthen cooperation and reposition sports journalism as a key driver of sports development in Cross River State.