The 2025/26 NPFL season got underway in Ibadan with Shooting Stars Sports Club hosting Bayelsa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium. Beyond the football itself, one of the talking points that emerged was the issue of media accreditation, which generated conversations among journalists and stakeholders alike.
It is important to appreciate the passion and dedication of the Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). For years, Oyo SWAN has played a vital role in ensuring that sports, particularly football, receive quality coverage in the state and across the country. Their members are some of the most consistent voices in telling the Shooting Stars story and in projecting Nigerian football positively. On the other hand, the Shooting Stars media department deserves commendation for its efforts in managing a complex and often demanding process. Matchday operations, especially season openers, come with enormous pressure, logistics, security, and coordination all happening at once. That the game went ahead smoothly, with media presence from across the country, speaks to the hard work being done behind the scenes.
That said, accreditation in football has always been the responsibility of the host club. This is the practice everywhere in the world, guided by league and security protocols. Associations like SWAN play an equally important role not in taking over the process, but in advocating for their members to ensure fair representation and smooth access. When both sides work together in this way, the system is stronger, more inclusive, and ultimately beneficial to the coverage of the game.
Where there were omissions or misunderstandings, these should be seen not as deliberate sidelining but as the kind of administrative lapses that can happen in fast-paced environments. What matters most is that lessons are taken forward and communication lines strengthened. A more open channel between SWAN, independent journalists, and the 3SC media team will no doubt prevent future concerns and help ensure that every accredited journalist, regardless of affiliation, can do their work without hindrance.
At the end of the day, everyone, whether it is SWAN members, independent journalists, or the club’s media officers, shares the same goal: to promote Shooting Stars, the NPFL, and Nigerian football in the best possible light. With mutual respect and cooperation, there is no doubt that the club and the media community can continue to raise the standards of professionalism and coverage for the benefit of the fans and the game we all love.
