The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Byblos Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited to provide affordable travel opportunities and logistics support for sports journalists across the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja, is designed to ease the financial burden on SWAN members by offering discounted airfares, visa advisory services, accommodation support and other travel-related benefits.
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Speaking at the signing ceremony, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the association’s efforts to improve the welfare and professional capacity of its members.
He said the leadership thoroughly reviewed the terms of the agreement before endorsing it, expressing appreciation to veteran sports journalist, Mr. Abdulgafar Oladimeji, for facilitating the partnership.
“Anything that will benefit our members is always a priority for us. Having carefully examined the contents of this agreement, I am convinced it will positively impact our members in many ways,” Benjamin said.
The SWAN president noted that the high cost of domestic air travel and the risks associated with long-distance road transportation have prevented many sports journalists from covering major sporting events across the country.
According to him, the new partnership will enable more journalists to attend local and international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Leader of the Byblos delegation, Mr. Abubakar Nasrudeen, said the company was delighted to partner with SWAN to make both domestic and international travel more accessible and affordable for Nigerian sports journalists.
He explained that Byblos Travels and Tours, which specialises in airline ticketing, visa processing and tour packages, would provide SWAN members with exclusive travel offers unavailable to the general public.
“We are committed to supporting SWAN members with affordable airfares, visa services and travel packages. Our goal is to ensure they enjoy exclusive opportunities that make travelling easier and more affordable,” he said.
Nasrudeen added that the company would continue to identify new opportunities within the travel industry to further support members of the association.
Also speaking, former Secretary of the SWAN Kano State Chapter, Mr. Abdulgafar Oladimeji, who facilitated the partnership, commended the leadership of the association for embracing initiatives that promote the welfare and professional development of sports journalists.
He said one of the major achievements of the current SWAN leadership has been restoring stability and unity within the association, creating an environment that encourages strategic partnerships and institutional growth.
“Today, SWAN speaks with one voice. Peace and stability are invaluable assets for any organisation, and they have positioned the association to attract partnerships that benefit its members,” Oladimeji said.
He added that the opportunity to travel and gain international exposure remains one of the major attractions of sports journalism, noting that the partnership would further expand such opportunities for practitioners.
The agreement comes as preparations intensify for major international sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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Stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnership would improve the mobility of Nigerian sports journalists, increase their participation in international sporting events and ultimately enhance the quality of sports reporting in the country.