As part of activities marking the 60th Anniversary of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the Imo State chapter on Sunday, October 26, 2025, held a thanksgiving service at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
Addressing worshippers and Christian faithful during his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, reminded the brethren that during the Israelite era, towards the end of every year, the harvest period was observed, and it marked a time to thank God for a bountiful harvest because they were farmers.
In the same vein, he disclosed that towards the end of every year, all the associations in the church map out a day to thank God.
The Metropolitan Bishop commended sports journalists in the country for the good work they are doing by keeping the populace up to date with sporting activities in Nigeria and beyond.
He congratulated SWAN on its diamond jubilee celebration and stressed the importance of sports in people’s lives.
According to him, “We need sports in order to be healthy. God has created us to move our joints, and so sports are part of what we need to do to remain healthy.
“Secondly, in sports, we learn to win and lose without bitterness,” Bishop Ugorji affirmed.
He urged politicians to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship during elections, stressing that it is not a do-or-die affair, as only one candidate would emerge victorious while others should close ranks and prepare for the next one.
