Sports
National President’s Cup An Opportunity To Prepare Our Athletes For Future Championships – Abdullahi Saidu-Baba
President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Alhaji Abdullahi Saidu-Baba has lauded the Successful completion of the 2023 National President’s Cup Open Championship staged in Abuja.
President Abdullahi expressed satisfaction with the current board of the NTF for ensuring the tournament which is also an Olympic weight classification eventually saw the light of the day, as that has been what the federation has being driving towards to achieve.
While speaking to journalist at the end of the 3days open championship in Abuja, Alhaji Abdullahi said the federation intentionally organized the championship as a way of giving her athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills, which will in turn, prepare them for bigger and better future championships.
He noted that when they came on board, they initially started with capacity building, enlightening the athletes on the current rules and regulations of the game, as well as empowering their officials on other technics of officiating and coaching which aligns with the federation’s intentions.
“This is great, this is what the current administration of the NTF have been trying to do. You remember when we came here we started with capacity building, educating the athletes on the current rules and regulations”
“We also try to empower our athletes on the skills required to become champions, also empowering our officials on other technics of officiating and coaching and what you are seeing now is giving them the opportunity to test their skills and to also prepare them for better & future championships”
“Don’t forget we have the all African games coming & we have the Olympic qualification, this is a tournament for Olympic weight classification, so we’re trying to look at our athletes and look at their prospects”
The effervescence President further stressed that their set objectives is to perform well in their line up of events which includes the Kebbi open, the Korean ambassador’s cup, the all African games and the world championship which will be taking place this year in Bacu, Azerbaijan.
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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