AIPS President arrives PH to witness foundation-laying of Rivers Football Academy  

By Esther Egbe

President of the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS), Gianni Merlo  will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday, May 27 on a three-day visit,National Daily learnt.

Merlo will arrive through Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and is expected to attend series of events being organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and the Rivers State Government.

The leader of the world’s sports journalists association will be received by the President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo, at the Port Harcourt International Airport in company of the AIPS-Africa President, Mitchell Obi, some top government functionaries and SWAN officials.

While in Port Harcourt, Merlo will pay a courtesy call on Africa’s Power Of Sports award recipient, Governor Nyesom Wike, and later join the Governor and other guests for the foundation-laying ceremony of the Rivers State Government/Real Madrid Football Academy on Monday, May 28.

Later that day, Merlo will join Governor Wike, as well as top officials of SWAN, CAF and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to watch the Super Eagles’ friendly match against DR Congo at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

SWAN President Honour Sirawoo, told  National Daily that SWAN is honoured to host the AIPS President and his entourage’’.