Sports
2023 All Stars Invitational Football Tournament: President Charges Players To ‘Play Safe’
…As tournament kick off Saturday in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
As 3rd edition of All Star football invitational tournament is about to commence in Abuja come Saturday the 15th of July 2023, the president of All Star football club of Abuja Nasri Jubril has called on players to play safe before, during and after the competition.
He gave this charge shortly after the conducting of the draw for the 2023 edition of tournament on Monday in Abuja inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
President expressed that the aim of the tournament is to unite the ex-players and broaden the network among the players.
According to him, the tournament is more about uniting ourselves, (the ex-players) especially, within Abuja, we want to broaden our network, now that we out of football, some of us are in different profession, so coming together under All Star invitational tournament remain the way of broadening our network”
While charging the player ahead of the game Mr. Jubril cautioned: “play safe”, this is not the hay time, this is not when you are young, we should play safe, play fair, it’s not win at all cost.”
Speaking also, wa the chairman of Local Organizing Committee, Mr Desmond
However, 16 teams composed of veterans footballers, coaches, past veterans will tackle each other in the three months mouth-watering tournament inside the prestigious main bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Package, from July 15th 2023 to September 2023, every Saturday.
The Draw Ceremony for the tournament held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in the federal capital territories on Monday where the defending champions All star Abuja will play Lugbe All Stars in the opening Games of the tourney.
The 16 teams were grouped into 4 groups.
Group A Nyanya All Stars, Likeminds All Star football club of Kuje, Gwagwalada All Star FC, and Ex professional players
In group B, theCorporate kicker sports club CKSC, Jabi All Stars, MC Steve FC and CC FC old timers Gwagwalada
Group C have All Stars International Football Club, Lugbe All Stars, Games Villages FC and Capital Sportif
While Group D, Unity Sports Foundation, Apo fitness Football Club, Kuje All Stars and Selected All Stars.
The two top teams in each group qualify for the quarter-final.
The Chairman of the local Organising Committee LOC, Desmond Ikwuje, sought for the support of all football lovers toward the success of this year’s edition.
Meanwhile, All-star with slogan: “Football for peace, unity and togetherness”
Sports
SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism
By Joel Ajayi
The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.
Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.
According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.
Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.
He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.
The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.
Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.
He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.
Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.
He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.
He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.
“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.
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