Sports

ABL Unity Football Tournament: we are committed to operation “leave no one Behind”- Mrs Laniyi

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The initiator of Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi (ABL) Football Unity Tournament, Mrs Laniyi, has revealed that she is committed to operation “leave no one Behind” in the country, this will bring about more unity, peace and cohesion to all.

ABL FCT Unity football championship is aimed to foster unity and discover grassroot talents for the national teams.
She stated this at the ongoing maiden edition of ABL Unity through sportsmaship tourney in the Federal Capital Territory, where both able and physically challenged Nigerians are participating.

Over 1200 Nigerians with over 48 team are currently competing for the honour inside the the old parade ground stadium in the heart of the nation.

Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi’s different initiatives in the country has impacted and empowered many women, the girl child, youth, and the People leaving with disability are not left out.

Speaking on Thursday, during the game between Nigeria National Deaf team and Kickers FC of Abuja, she said Nigeria can be better together when there is inclusiveness, be it in politics, business and sports.

This game is a special one and it focus on person’s with disabilities, it’s operation left no one behind; whether it’s politics, business or sports, it’s about everybody together.

“What makes a nation stand is unity, so we should rise above tribe, religion and race. Nigeria is better together and that is the purpose of ABL Unity tournament.

“PLWD are people with so much capacity, they have strength to do everything an able person can do, they just need a channel and that is what ABL represents. We are committed to operation ‘leave no one behind’, that is why we started ABL tournament tagged Unity through sportsmaship.”

However, the tournament, ABL FCT Unity football championship started on July 8th of July and will climax on Saturday 29th July 2023 at the Main bowl of Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, where winners will smile home with a lot of prizes.

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

4 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

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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