The Abia State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has issued a stern condemnation of Match Commissioner Saidu Yakubu Aliyu and his officiating team following the denial of media access during Sunday’s NPFL encounter between Enyimba and Ikorodu City. SWAN leadership characterized the decision to bar journalists from the Enyimba International Stadium as a shameful display of disrespect toward the media profession. The association cautioned that such restrictive actions directly undermine the transparency and integrity of the domestic league.
In an official communiqué signed by Chairman Kingsley Okwun and Secretary Bethel Kalu, the chapter called upon the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The SWAN leaders argued that failing to address these obstructions could bring the reputation of NPFL matches into disrepute and damage the growing profile of Nigerian football. The association insists that the league governing bodies must protect the rights of the press to ensure fair and open coverage of all sporting events.
Reports indicate that security and match officials prevented numerous journalists, some of whom had traveled from various regions across the country, from entering the venue. The officials reportedly refused entry to these professionals unless they presented specific identification cards, despite the customary protocols for matchday media accreditation. Abia SWAN maintains that this sudden and rigid enforcement created an unnecessary barrier for those tasked with documenting the game for the public.
“The sports writers, who described the actions of the Match Commissioner as ugly dance of disrespect and shame, warned that the actions are capable of compromising the transparency of the League,” the statement noted with significant concern.
The association further highlighted that the media plays a pivotal role in the promotion and accountability of the NPFL. By obstructing journalists, the match officials inadvertently hindered the dissemination of match results and tactical analysis to fans nationwide. SWAN demands a formal apology and a guarantee that such exclusionary practices will not recur in future fixtures at the Aba stadium or any other league venue.
As the NPFL strives for modernization and increased viewership, the relationship between match administrators and the media remains a critical component of its success. The Abia State chapter remains resolute in its stance that the press must have unfettered, legitimate access to stadium facilities to fulfill their professional obligations. Stakeholders now await a response from the NFF and the NPFL board to see what disciplinary or corrective measures they will implement to resolve this conflict.
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