Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG), the body overseeing sports journalists in the country, will today celebrate the International Sports Journalists Day, which is observed globally every year on 2 July.
The grand celebration will be held at the Baobab Resort Hotel in Bijilo starting at 5.30pm.
Alieu Ceesay, Secretary General of SJAG, said the celebration is open to all practising sports journalists in the country, who are expected to come together to socialize and have fun with colleagues in a convivial atmosphere.
“We want to bring members of the sports journalism fraternity together to celebrate this important day like our colleagues around the world. We are therefore inviting all sports journalists to attend,” SG Ceesay said.
According to him, the body could not celebrate the Day as a result of the rainy season on 2 July.
He said the Day is celebrated on July 2, to mark the services of sports journalists for the promotion of sport.
“This day has been earmarked as the official day of celebration because of its significance as the date when the International Sports Press Association was established at the 1924 Paris Olympics.”
He added: “The International Sports and Press Association (AIPS) was established in the year 1924 while Olympic Games took place in Paris and emphasised on strengthening the companionship, bonding and liking and disliking among sports journalists all over the globe.”
SG Ceesay added that the International Sports Journalists Day is celebrated to urge members of the sporting media to strive for excellence in their professional work.