The Sportswriters Association of Ghana (SWAG) could congratulate itself for hitting the 41st milestone this month. It is fitting that the annual SWAG Cup football match named after their late chief patron Henry Plange Nyemitei turned out to be a resounding success.

Kpandu Heart of Lions beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-0 in the final of the two leg contest at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to win the cup for the first time.

Kotoko had won the first leg 1-0 in Accra and needed only a draw to win the cup for the 14th time but their wasteful attackers let them down. Hearts of Lions were the more determined side and they richly deserved their victory. In its 41st year, it is proper to recall the history of this vibrant association of sports journalists that is affiliated with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

The idea to form an association exclusively for sports journalists in Ghana came in the middle of June 1968. Kingsley Obeng, the late Managing Director of Nogahil Hotel Accra, then a sportswriter with the Ghanaian Times mooted the idea following a short visit to Britain where such a body existed.

There were not many sports journalists at the time and they all readily accepted the idea. A committee was set up to work out the modalities and the SWAG was officially inaugurated at a colourful ceremony at Ambassador Hotel in Accra on August 3 1968. A.K.Deku, then Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs was chairman for the occasion which was attended by a large number of sports administrators and active sportsmen and sportswomen.

At its inaugural meeting, Kingsley Obeng, originator of the idea was made secretary; Joe Lartey of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) President, with Ben Eghan Jnr also of GBC his vice. J.K.Addo-Twum, Sports Editor of the Daily Graphic was made treasurer.

Other founding members were Ken Bediako, Yaw Boakye Ofori-Atta both of the Daily Graphic, Willie Kwarteng, Joe Aggrey, Kwamina Longdon of Ghanaian Times, Vincent Mensah, Eugene Thompson both of the Ghana News Agency and H.O.Ampomah of GBC.

Unfortunately after the grand inauguration, the Association became dormant and after two years in office the executives were changed and Willie Kwarteng then Sports Editor of the Ghanaian Times was made President and Eugene Thompson Sports Editor of the GNA secretary.

Like their predecessors, the new leadership also failed to inject the much needed vibrancy into the affairs of the Association and it became necessary to effect changes again in 1973. Oheneba Charles, then editor of The Sporting News was made president with Ken Bediako, Sports Editor of the Daily Graphic his vice. Joe Aggrey, then Sports Editor of the Ghanaian Times was made secretary with Ebo Quansah also of Ghanaian Times his assistant.

The SWAG made gains under the leadership of Oheneba Charles. An awards night and SWAG Cup match were institutionalized. The giant Kumasi Brewery Ltd (KBL) headed by sports enthusiast Dennis Beesley who was later made SWAG patron offered to sponsor the SWAG annual awards. KBL did it in such a grand manner that it easily became the topmost annual event for the sporting fraternity for nearly two decades.

After 12 years in office the Association decided to make Oheneba Charles patron and Joe Aggrey the new president. The Joe Aggrey administration continued the good work till 2001, when Joe Aggrey had a ministerial appointment and Ebo Quansah was elected to take his place.

The Ebo Quansah squad also made great strides till 2007 when a new group headed by Anthony Ackah of the Daily Graphic were elected into office.

The SWAG has a membership of about 35 of good standing. It also has a powerful board of patrons comprising Dr Yaw Nkansa Gyane, Mr. Walter Esposito, Mrs. Theodosia Okoh, Mr. E.T.Kwashie, Mr. Ray Quarcoo, Mr. Kwame Ofosu-Bamfo, Mr. Amarkai Amarteifio, Nana Kumi Gyamfi, Dr Sam Jonah and Oheneba Charles.

As a proud founding member of this august body, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the SWAG a happy 41st anniversary and may the association grow from strength to strength.