Mr Victor Okoye, a member of staff of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday emerged as the Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT Chapter.

Okoye was returned unopposed at the SWAN FCT Electoral Congress going on at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He received a voice affirmation following a “Yes or Nay” session conducted by Patrick Ngwaogu, the Chairman of the SWAN Electoral Committee (SWANECO).

An elated Okoye told Newsmen that the people had spoken, adding that he was pleased and humbled by the massive support and affirmation by members of the association.

“As the saying goes, `the voice of the people is the voice of God` and so I humbly accept the mandate to serve and deploy all resources at my disposal to the service of this great association.

“I come as a breath of fresh air with a blend of youthful and positive energy. I am people-oriented and justice and equity are my watchwords“, he said.

He said he would work closely and assiduously with the incoming chairman of the association to uphold its constitution.

“We will ensure that our great association takes its rightful place in the comity of professional bodies in FCT.

“My intention is to hit the ground running from day one with a chairman who has a vision for our noble profession and one who is void of any form of prejudice, bias, sentiments or divisive tendencies.

“We will close ranks and mend fences with all stakeholders and work towards achieving our set goals and achieve the SWAN of our dreams,” he said.

Other contestants who emerged unopposed also on Friday were; Sam Ahmadu (secretary) and Niyi Busari (financial secretary).

Election into other offices namely, chairman, assistant secretary, treasurer and welfare officer will hold in the course of the congress.

For their outstanding contributions to the development and growth of tennis in Nigeria and ogun State in particular, the State former coach, Kehinde Martins-Ake and Coach Wole Festus Akinyeju, Director, Southlake Tennis Centre, Texas, USA were honoured with a meritorious award of excellence.

Also, Sunday Enitan, a coach with Shaw University in America and Ogun State tennis coach, Kehinde Ijaola, were named for similar honours, respectively.

The awards were presented at the conclusion of a 2-day workshop tagged, “Modern Day Tennis Coaching,” organized by the Ogun State Tennis Association.

The workshop, which took place at the green court, (tennis section) of the Abeokuta Sports Club, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital attracted tennis coaches across the state, with Coach Rotimi Akinloye as the lead instructor and Wole Festus Akinyeju, Director, Southlake Tennis Centre, as facilitator.

Speaking at the Award ceremony, the Association’s scribe, Olusola Afolabi, disclosed that the award was made possible for the identified individuals, who were once tennis players of repute both nationally and internationally for their excellence performances and continued contributions to the game

Coach Akinyeju while speaking, said the recipients exemplified excellence, leadership, respect, and a true love for the sport of tennis and the art of coaching.

He added that the award showcased people who have inspired generations of young players and fellow coaches to grow the sport of tennis across the globe.

His words: “The recipients tutored players who have represented Nigeria and the African continent and won laurels. They deserved all the accolades, love, and appreciation.”

Speaking on the purpose of the workshop, Akinyeju maintained that the impact was going to be positive, at least with time, stressing “I decided to return home to give back to the community that made me and contribute to the growth of tennis in Nigeria”.

He said, “What you tell players will make or mar them, so coaches must be up to date with new methodologies, both technically and tactically as well as be ready to exchange ideas to be able to transfer right knowledge to the players”.

Akinyemi stated, “Again, in tennis, programmes and sponsorship drive growth. Without it, there is nothing anyone can achieve in tennis. it is very important to have a series of programmes that would attract corporate sponsors through which players can be developed.”

The duo of Ijaola and Martins-Ake, said thr mentorship programmes will be instituted at the local and state levels in order to sustain legacies of the founding fathers of the game.

According to them, such gesture would expose talented tennis players in Ogun State to modern day technical and tactical strategies to stay above board in any of their national and international engagements particularly as Ogun state prepares to host National Sports Festival.

Speaking further, they promised to remain useful towards the discovery and development of players as well as use their experiences to help the players achieve impartation of techniques and match place situations, which are crucial to developing players across all levels for local, state, national, and international engagements.

At the end, Certificates of participation were presented to all the coaches who participated during the workshop.

Nigerians abroad have come out to support renowned chess master, Tunde Onakoya, as he embarks on a mission to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya announced the commencement of the marathon via his X account with the caption, “Game time.”

He also wrote, “We haven’t even started yet and Nigerians are already trooping in to camp out with me.”

Among those cheering Onakoya is Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold.

The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10am on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8pm on April 19.

Onakoya is set to engage in an intense chess marathon, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.

The current Guinness World Record, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018, stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.