Sports
Keep Nigeria’s Flag Flying Higher, FG Tells TIG Gymnasts
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government of Nigeria has tasked the Tony’s International Gymnastics club of Abuja not to relent their efforts on promoting the game, to bring more development to more young Gymnasts in the Country and beyond.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Abubarkar Ismaila, stated this on Wednesday, in Abuja, when the athletes who went to World Gymnastics Championship in Malta presented their medals to the Government.
It was a great outing for the young Nigerian gymnasts at the just concluded Gymstar International Club World Championship, as they won a total of 23 medals, in far-away Malta.
Eight gymnasts from Tony International Gymnastics (TIG) Club, based in Abuja, took part in the tournament from 8 July to 9 July 2023.
Mr Ismiala commended the young Gymnasts for making Nigeria proud outside, he promised to ensure the children were well catered for.
“I am happy we are identifying our athletes at the early stage. I want to commend the kids,they didn’t just add up to the numbers in Malta, but went there to win medals.
“I believe hard work has contributed to this, we will do our best to take care of this kids for them to perform more.”
He charged the gymnasts to ensure they combine their education with sports, to enable them excel the more; Concentrate to do more, we are ready to support you.
He commended the parents for allowing their children to represent and make Nigeria proud.
While speaking from Malta, founder of TIG, Anthony Asuquo lauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for the support given to sports in the country and urged them to keep on supporting talented gymnasts in the country.
According to him, We went to Malta; we saw, and we conquered.
“We don’t have enough facilities to train our athletes here, I want to appeal to the Ministry to help the Federation and individuals who are striving hard to get the best from the game.”
Mr Asuquo was pleased with the team’s performance and vowed not to relent in bringing out the best in our Nigerian children, that will propel them to having podium finish.
Speaking also was an 11 years old, a gold medalist winner at the event, Francisca Opankwu thanked everyone who contributed to their success and urged the government to assist the kids in the area of equipment and facilities that will spur them to win more.
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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