Lagos FA Chairman Gafar Commends SWAN on Book Publication
Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Liameed Gafar has commended the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for publishing a book that chronicles Nigerian sports; saying that the intellectual work will be a reference point to future generations.
He stated this, when members of the publishing committee of the book titled ‘Nigeria Sports Year Book’, visited him in his office to formally present the book to him.
According to him, he’s proud of what the leadership of SWAN and their partner O&I Contact Limited did in producing such an encyclopedia, which he says not only captured the history of Nigerians sports but also the exploits of the country’s sportsmen and women, noting that it will serve as a reference point to generations yet unborn.
” I’m highly excited with what SWAN has done by publishing this book which is rich in Nigerian sports history. It shows that as critical stakeholders in Nigerian sports, they not only limit themselves to reportage, but also engage in intellectual work and research.
“Anybody going through the book will discover that it traces the history of how every sports was introduced to the country, those who won laurels for Nigeria as well as the country’s participation in various international competitions backed up with pictorials. So, I give kudos to those who painstakingly produced this master piece”, he said.
Gafar who is also the President of 36 Lions Football Club, recommended the book to all Nigerians desirous to know more about Nigerian sports just as he pledged his continuous support to the association.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of delegation and Managing Director/ CEO of O&I Contact Limited, Mr. Isaac. Osaikhiwu. Isaac, explained that the essence of the comprehensive sports compendium, is not only to document Nigeria’s sports odyssey yearly but also to celebrate the country’s sports heroes, heroines and administrators, while also providing a regular reliable guide for future references.
“This book was written after careful research and it provides an in-depth information about all sports teams, their exploits and players with outstanding performance and we wrote it not only to celebrate our heroes, heroines and administrators but to provide regular reliable guide for our future generation”, he stressed
Isaac while commending Gafar for his efforts at moving Lagos State football forward, announced plans to produce soft copy of the book which people can easily assess through the internet.
” I must have to commend Alhaji Gafar for the transformation witnessed in Lagos State Football Association since he assumed office and I urge him to keep the flag flying.
” I also want to announce that we have plans to produce the soft copy of the book which Nigerians can have assess to through the internet. The idea is to have the book updated on daily basis so that Nigerians within few minutes will be kept abreast of what is happening in the country’s sports ecosystem”, he assured.
He also used the opportunity to thank Gafar for the reception accorded to his team, noting that he looks forward to more collaboration with him.
