Re: SJAG Supremo calls on Sports Associations to include Journalists for international trips

Dear Editor,

Please allow me space in your widely read newspaper to commend the President of the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG) for her positive call on Gambian national sports associations to include sports journalists for their international trips.

Indeed for The Gambia national sports associations to adopt the policy of carrying at least one journalist to international competitions would be much productive than carrying more players/officers with less functions.

The sports journalists are always provided modern communication technology to enable them report what happen during competitions.

The importance of sports journalists to travel with national teams is very significant to the development and promotion of Gambian sports.

It would enable Gambians all over the world to get much reliable information about Gambian sports.

The sports reporters report accurate, reliable and current activities happening during any international sports competition.

However, the SJAG needs to work closely with The Gambia national sports associations and The Gambia sports authorities to know their programme of activities so as to report on them appropriately and on time.

The national sports journalists association needs to have an excellent central information system.

They can print monthly or quarterly reports on the past and future activities on Gambian/international sports.

The association can attend international sports competitions in which The Gambia may not be taking part at a particular point in time, such as the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Gambia has all the modern technology for sports journalists to utilise effectively to promote sports in the country and beyond.

Therefore concerted efforts need to be made to improve the relationship of Gambian sports journalists and Gambian sports officials as well as potential sponsors. The Sports journalists need to design comprehensive mechanism on how to effectively promote grassroots sports development not concentrating only on international trips.

I wish the president of the SJAG success in her efforts to sustain the association and thank the Honorary Life President, Mr Pap Saine, Managing Director of The Point Newspaper, for his excellent leadership role.

Congratulations to the newly elected executive, as well as the outgoing executive, for their efforts. You are encouraged to work together, support each other, and share information about current affairs on grassroots, national and international sports.

The print and electronic media sports journalists have the same function using different technology and expressing the same activity.

Congratulations to Ms Sainabou Kujabi for being the first Gambian woman to lead the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia.