SWAG Awards @ 48 – Acknowledging Sponsors, Partners And Supporters Over The Years

Organising very big Awards events like the prestigious Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) event is not an easy task.

It involves a lot, from the selection of the awards committee to the Association’s endorsement before going public, the organization of the event itself.

Securing a good venue like the State House, Banquet Hall has been the standard or the Accra International Conference Center or the Trade Fair or any mega five star hotel.

I remember we were in Kumasi at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, one of my life experiences as an event organizer, and it was splendid.

We have to look for a band or too musician to provide entertainment, not to forget catering and security, ushers, MC and other stuff.

Then we look for sponsorship to make event grand.

For this I have to thank great men like B.B. Bismark and companies like MTN, ATL, SIC, Ghana Telecom, Adamus Resources and others for their wonderful support and assistance to the sports inky fraternity for the past seasons.

This year is the 48th and every event is always better than the previous.

Companies like Nguvu Mining Ltd must be commended for taking up the challenge to support the Sports Writers Association of Ghana.

Likewise, National Lotteries, Ghana Civil Aviation, Goil, TT Brothers and more coming up.

In deed, SWAG executives and members are so grateful for the gesture of the loving companies and really appreciate, however we will call for more.

SWAG Awards have always been exclusive and this time round a very top and loved artiste is taking the big stage and would be backed by other amazing musicians.

The SWAG is 55 years this year 2023, and we look forward for greater achievements.

Now the SWAG is national and represented in every region of Ghana. However our challenge here is getting the real sports journalists separated from the fake journalists aka ‘Paparazzi’ as they are known in Ghana.

SWAG now boasts of over 900 members.

SWAG is affiliated to the AIPS, International Sports Press Association.

The current SWAG is led by astute and experienced Kwabena Yeboah. The Association recently elected it’s new Executive including the first female Vice President, Ms. Evelyn Nsiah Asare and the Women’s Commissioner, Mavis Amanor the Fire Lady.

Having joined the Association in 1990, I have contributed and done my best to develop and improve the brand, logo and presence.

As a former Deputy General Secretary, the one who does most of the leg work and link ups, I want to acknowledge the immaculate creative tactics of the General Secretary, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey aka ‘Barrister’ who was re elected and the entire secretariat for their commitment and attitude.

The SWAG Award is very dear to people in sports. Most of time, members of SWAG do not know the extent of the Awards and the lives it affects.

SWAG is grateful to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Authority, Ghana Olympic Committee and all bodies involved in sports, including the Local Organising Committee for the 13th African Games.

The Awards attract sitting presidents, vice presidents, prominent sports stars, traditional leaders, corporate executives and the general public.

The SWAG Awards is Ghana’s first-ever and longest-running platform for celebrating sports achievements, and has honoured over 1,000 individuals, teams and organisations since its inception in 1973.

The ceremony has been graced by personalities like H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, Former President President John Agyekum Kufuor, H.E John Evans Atta Mills, the late and has enjoyed international flavour with the presence of guests such as Mr. Gianni Merlo, the AIPS President (Italian), Mr. Danny Jordaan, LOC Chairman of World Cup South Africa 2010, Mr. Jacques Anoma from Cote d’Ivoire and other members of the Diplomatic Corps.

On the 48^th edition we say Ayekoo to the founding fathers of SWAG and those who have held the fort to maintain and improve upon the event.

By Sammy Heywood Okine