The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) leadership embarked on a courtesy visit to Kunle Soname, the Chairman of Remo Stars FC, to celebrate his significant contributions to Nigerian sports. The visit, coinciding with the Gateway 2024 National Sports Festival, served as a platform for SWAN to acknowledge Soname’s multifaceted impact, encompassing his club’s historic Nigeria Premier Football League title win, his broader sports development initiatives, and his substantial investments in sports media infrastructure.
SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, lauded Soname not only for Remo Stars’ triumph but also for his wider influence on Nigerian sports, encompassing youth empowerment and media innovation. Benjamin highlighted Soname’s vision, evident in his investments that extend beyond club football to grassroots development and the transformation of sports consumption through platforms like Bet9ja, ValueJet, and Team 33 Productions. These initiatives, according to Benjamin, are reshaping how Nigerian sports are presented, broadcast, and ultimately experienced by the public.
Furthermore, SWAN recognized Soname’s unwavering support for sports journalists across the country. His contribution to raising professional standards and capacity building within the industry was particularly emphasized. Extending beyond national borders, Soname’s ownership of CD Feirense in Portugal was cited as a testament to his vision, courage, and consistency in the global sports arena. This international venture underscores the potential for Nigerian sports to make its mark on the world stage. Beyond his support for young talent and his media ventures, Soname’s recent launch of a new radio station was acknowledged as another testament to his commitment to expanding the reach and influence of sports in Nigeria.
In light of Soname’s substantial contributions, SWAN bestowed upon him one of the association’s highest honors – an invitation to serve as Grand Patron. This gesture symbolized the bridging of professional sports journalism with transformative private sector leadership, unified by mutual respect, national pride, and the pursuit of excellence. SWAN highlighted its national priorities, including the launch of a welfare-driven cooperative for journalists, the establishment of a permanent National Secretariat in Abuja, and the upcoming celebration of SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. The association further expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of partnering with ValueJet as SWAN’s official airline, proposing a subsidized rate to alleviate travel burdens for its members.
In response, Soname expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his belief in the power of sports journalism to drive positive change. He underscored the importance of strong partnerships with the sports media, particularly as Nigeria strives to enhance its global sporting reputation. He acknowledged the crucial role the media has played in amplifying the success story of Remo Stars and emphasized his commitment to collaborating with SWAN to rebuild and reposition the image of sports media in Nigeria.
Soname’s humility and appreciation for the collective effort behind Remo Stars’ journey resonated throughout his response. His declaration of commitment to Nigerian sports extends beyond his own club to encompass the broader sporting landscape. He expressed deep appreciation for the media’s tireless efforts in promoting not just Remo Stars, but Nigerian sports as a whole, acknowledging their pivotal role in raising the profile of Nigerian sports both domestically and internationally. This interaction between SWAN and Soname underscores the symbiotic relationship between sports development and the media, demonstrating the potential for collaboration to elevate Nigerian sports to new heights.
