The Local Organizing Committee for the 2025 Bayelsa State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week has announced a robust schedule of activities aimed at celebrating sports journalism and strengthening community participation.
In a statement issued by the Committee Chairman, Loveday Herbert, the week-long celebration will commence on Monday, December 1, with a road walk from Ekeki Junction to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex. The walk will be followed by a full-body workout and aerobic session to officially set the tone for the events ahead.
On Tuesday, December 2, attention will shift to the launch of the Clinton Thompson Football Competition, where registered media houses will compete in friendly but spirited matches.
Wednesday, December 3, will feature a blend of indoor sporting activities. Table tennis contests are scheduled for the Coastal Fortress at Ox Bow Lake, while draughts and other indoor games will take place simultaneously at the NUJ Press Centre beginning at 2 p.m.
The week’s intellectual highlight comes on Friday, December 5, with a lecture and symposium tailored for budding and practicing sports journalists. The session—designed especially for students of tertiary institutions interested in sports reporting—will explore emerging trends and modern techniques in sports journalism. It is slated for 11 a.m. at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center.
A thrilling weekend has also been lined up. The finals of the Clinton Thompson Football Competition will hold on Saturday, December 6, after which participants will converge for a gala dinner at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center. Outstanding athletes, coaches, and sports administrators will be honoured during the ceremony.
Activities will conclude on Sunday, December 7, with a special Thanksgiving Service to wrap up the 2025 SWAN Week.
Meanwhile, the committee has also released the official rules governing the Clinton Thompson Football Competition, stating that participation is strictly reserved for media establishments and journalists registered with recognized NUJ chapels in Bayelsa State. The guidelines emphasize proper registration procedures, eligibility requirements, and disciplinary measures for teams that violate the rules.
Herbert urged all members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to participate fully, noting that their involvement would help ensure a memorable and impactful 2025 SWAN Week.
