The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)
has reaffirmed its boycott of all activities of the Kaduna Polo Club,
following incidents involving the alleged assault of a member, Idris
Dari of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and the disrespect
shown to the association’s National President.
The position was made known in a statement jointly
signed by Shehu Abdullahi and Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, SWAN
Kaduna State Chairman and Secretary respectively, and dated Monday, October
20, 2025.
According to the statement, despite being formally
notified in writing, the management of the Kaduna Polo Club has failed
to tender an apology or take responsibility for the incident.
“We are informing all sports writers worldwide that
Kaduna Polo Club has chosen not to be media-friendly, hence the boycott of
their activities during the last edition,” the statement read.
SWAN alleged that security personnel at the club manhandled
Idris Dari, who also serves as the Financial Secretary of the Kaduna
State chapter.
“Same day, our well-respected National President, who
was at the Polo Club, was also humiliated — a development we cannot sit and
watch without taking action,” the statement added.
The association therefore urged sports editors and
journalists across the world to show solidarity by refraining from
giving media coverage to the Kaduna Polo Club and its tournaments until the
management takes corrective steps.
“We are calling on all sports editors, as well as
other colleagues, to in solidarity, keep the Polo tournament stories under
their drawers until the Kaduna Polo Club management does the needful,” SWAN
declared.
The association emphasized that its decision is not a
hasty one but a principled stand to defend the dignity of journalists
and uphold mutual respect between the media and sporting organizations.
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