Tension has risen among host journalists covering the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba after claims that they were excluded from a ₦2 million cash gift reportedly provided by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Bukola Olopade.
The money, released after a press conference held on Friday, August 29, 2025, was said to be a gesture of appreciation to journalists—both members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and independent local reporters—for their coverage of the Games.
At the briefing, no restrictions were placed on who qualified, but once the funds became available, the arrangement reportedly changed.
While accredited journalists from outside Delta State have received their share, several local reporters who have been covering the event since the beginning were sidelined when the distribution took place on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium Media Center.
Investigations revealed that the National SWAN allegedly took 10 percent of the funds, another 10 percent was allocated to the Delta State chapter, while the rest was divided among visiting SWAN members, leaving the host journalists without any benefit.
Frustrated reporters condemned the move as “discriminatory” and “insulting,” stressing that they have worked tirelessly under difficult conditions to give the competition nationwide publicity.
“This is unfair and disrespectful. We’ve been here every day, ensuring visibility for the Games, only to be ignored,” one aggrieved journalist said.
The development has triggered debates on transparency and fairness in the handling of the largesse, with stakeholders urging the NSC to quickly intervene before the situation escalates. Observers caution that unresolved grievances could dampen morale and damage relations between the sports commission and the media.
When questioned, the four-man sharing committee—which included the National SWAN Secretary—insisted that the gesture was intended solely for accredited visiting journalists, as shown in the official list.
As the Youth Games progress, analysts say it is critical for the NSC to rebuild trust with the host press corps, emphasizing that sports coverage can only thrive when journalists are treated with fairness and respect.
