Sports

Our Target is to develop player’s in every levels-Hockey Federation President

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2023

…Seeks urges stakeholders

Joel Ajayi
The President of Nigeria Hockey Federation NHF Simon Nkom has expressed that federation’s target is to ensure the develop player’s at all levels.

This even as he urges stakeholders, Journalists to help in the Development of hockey sector so as to encourage the upcoming Athletes.

He stated this at the ongoing Super League of NHF at Hockey pitch of Moshood Abiola National Stadium package B In the FCT saying that hockey league will help put team in proper perceptive ahead of Africa Cup for Club Champions ACCN Qualification

According to him, hockey is one of the vital organs in the sport sector, hence the need for encouragement to further enhance sports development in Nigeria.
“Sports can serve as a tool to inculcate useful social skills in the youths of our diverse society, such as ethnic and religious understanding and tolerance.

“By this way, it will increase youths physical activity level and develop lifelong habits for good health, self-control, persistence, and accountability.

“ It helps the youth reach his or her fitness goals and maintain a healthy weight and improve fundamental social and interpersonal skills, aids in crime reduction and building national unity, “ he said.
He said with his position as a president, the sector was following the International standards to ensure that Nigeria hockey receives the needed attention to meet with the global standards in the game.
According to him, NHF has begun age-grouping by selecting young stars From the grassroots to build the sector in the country
“Sports development is not about anything but being able to ensure that you build up the minds of the youths by catching them young from the grassroots points in order to have under 17, 21 and that is only way you can develop sports and particularly, hockey.
“We are partnering with the journalists for reportage and popularization of hockey in the country, both at National and International levels.”

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

11 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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