Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has called for fairer and more inclusive media coverage of women in sports, while the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has urged sports federations and administrators to strengthen engagement with journalists to boost publicity for their activities.
Key Highlights
- NSC DG Bukola Olopade calls for fairer, more inclusive media coverage of women in sports.
- The seminar was organised by the NOC Women’s Commission in Abuja on Monday.
- Prof. Florence Adeyanju warns against coverage focused on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance.
- SWAN president urges federations to involve sports writers more in their programmes.
The calls were made at a seminar on women in sports reporting organised by the Women’s Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Monday in Abuja, where stakeholders emphasised the media’s role in promoting gender equality, challenging stereotypes and giving greater visibility to female athletes.
Olopade Commends SWAN, Recalls Push For Gender Recognition
Olopade commended SWAN for its commitment to professionalism and equitable sports reporting, noting that improved relations between sports administrators and journalists had helped build confidence in the industry and attract greater private-sector trust.
He said the quality of sports reporting has improved significantly in recent years, strengthening the relationship between the media and sports institutions.
The NSC director-general also praised NOC President, Habu Gumel, for his contributions to sports development, particularly his efforts to promote Nigerian athletes and advance women’s participation in sports.
Reflecting on the struggle for greater recognition of women, Olopade recalled an incident about 20 years ago when he deliberately addressed journalists as “ladies and gentlemen of the press” rather than the commonly used “gentlemen of the press.”
He said the decision attracted criticism at the time but was driven by his conviction that women, who contribute significantly to the sports industry and national development, deserved equal recognition.
Olopade stressed that gender inclusion must be reflected in sports reporting and other areas of the industry, urging stakeholders to recognise women’s contributions and create more opportunities for them to excel.
NOC, NSC Back Greater Women’s Participation
In his remarks, Gumel said the seminar aligns with the NOC’s commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering women and strengthening their participation in the Olympic movement in Nigeria.
He explained that since the inauguration of the NOC Women’s Commission in 2023, it has organised leadership programmes for female coaches, administrators, managers and technical officials across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Gumel commended the commission for concluding its current tenure with a seminar focused on sports journalists, describing the media as a critical partner in promoting women’s participation and achievements in sports.
The NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, also described the seminar as timely, citing the need to address low levels of women’s participation in some areas of sports.
He called for greater inclusion of women in journalism and other sports-related engagements, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to the industry.
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‘Focus On Skills, Not Appearance’
The chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission and chairperson of the occasion, Prof. Florence Adeyanju, in her remarks said journalists wield considerable influence over public perceptions of women’s sports and female athletes.
She observed that media coverage sometimes focused more on the physical appearance of female athletes than their skills, performances and achievements, warning that such practices could reinforce stereotypes and undermine recognition of their accomplishments.
Adeyanju urged sports journalists to embrace fair, balanced and inclusive reporting that highlights the achievements of women and girls while promoting equal opportunities in sports.
She noted that participation in sports helps girls develop confidence, resilience and essential life skills while opening up opportunities that can benefit them throughout their lives.
She further stressed that Nigerian women had made significant contributions to the country’s medal-winning achievements, calling on the media and other stakeholders to give them greater support and recognition.
Meanwhile, the SWAN national president thanked the NOC Women’s Commission for recognising sports journalists and providing an opportunity to strengthen their professional capacity.
He urged sports federations and administrators to engage journalists more actively in their programmes, noting that involving sports writers in their activities would improve visibility and generate wider publicity for sporting events.
The SWAN president also encouraged participants to take advantage of the seminar to enhance their knowledge and apply the lessons learned to their professional practice.
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