Sports
Infrastructure, enabling environment will bring Sports Development, Sarkin Karshi, Lulu charges Government, others
Joel Ajayi
The Sarkin Karshi, HRH, Alhaji Mohammed Ismaila, MFR has charged the Federal and State governments including public and private sector organisations to show commitment in the provision of infrastructure for the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Royal father gave this charge during the grand reception organized in honour of the FOSLA Academy team that represented Nigeria at the World School Football Championship that held in Rabat, Morocco from July 22 to 31, 2023. He was particularly elated that a School located in his community represented Nigeria at the global level.
He said that the performance of FOSLA Academy boys at the global event is an attestation to the fact that talents exist in Nigeria and it becomes necessary for the relevant bodies to ensure that adequate enabling environment in form of infrastructure is provided to encourage the teeming youths in the nook and crannies of Nigeria.
Alhaji Mohammed Ismaila MFR, commended the Proprietor of the Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi for his great vision through the establishment of the Academy particularly in Karshi. He added that the people of Karshi appreciates this gesture and that they will continue do their in rendering their support to him and the Academy.
Also speaking at the grand reception, the Proprietor of the Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi expressed appreciation to Almighty God for divine direction.
He also thanked all and sundry particularly the Sarkin Karshi who is currently the Chairman of the Board of FOSLA Academy for his commitment to the project without which the achievement made so far would not be realized. He also called the government and others to provide the necessary enabling environment through legislation and adequate funding of sports so as to ensure rapid growth and sustainable sports development in Nigeria.
The players were later introduced to the Sarkin Karshi and were also presented to a cheering crowd.
The Management of FOSLA Academy later hosted the players and officials to a luncheon and reception in the School premises.
FOSLA Academy could not make it to the quarter finals of the 2023 edition of the World School Football Championship in Rabat, Morocco but were among the 16 qualifying Nations for the 2024 edition of the competition in China. In addition, the performance of the Nigeria representatives earned Nigeria a second slot in the championship.
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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