July 2 is celebrated the World over as World Sports Journalists Day, with commemorations and appreciations for Sports Journalists in respective countries and regions for the level of works in the promotion of Sports.
Sports Authorities in countries used the day to pay special homage to sports journalists and encourage them in the promotion of sporting activities on their various media platforms.
This year’s celebration is under the global theme, “Championing Fair Play: Responding with integrity and impact”, which underlines the critical role of ethical sports journalism in promoting truth and transparency.
But, the day is silently celebrated in Liberia, the only African nation that has produced a Ballon d’Or winner in Legendary George Weah.
Sports authorities in the West African nation do not regard or show appreciation to sports writers, reporters, commentators, photographers, or bloggers on this day as is done in many other countries the World over.
Liberian Sports Journalists are hardly appreciated by the government sporting arm or public sporting entities on this day.
Besides the Liberia Football Association, which posted a brief statement on its Facebook page, no other sporting body in the country has remembered the efforts made by the local sporting press.
Other leading sporting institutions and federations, including the government sporting arm, failed to show any form of appreciation to the Liberia Sports Writers Association or individual members.
This has been described by the former Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) President, Kolubah B.K. Zayzay as disheartening.
The Ex-Sports Writers Association President said, “While other nations are celebrating their sports journalists for the role played in shaping the game, Liberian Sports club owners and federations seem not interested in expressing gratitude to sports writers”.
Sports Writers, reporters, commentators, photographers, and bloggers used their words, visuals, and voices to connect billions of fans to thrill the various sporting games from grassroots tournaments to international glory.
This year’s global theme emphasizes the ethical responsibility of sports journalists to deliver truthful, unbiased, and value-driven content. It serves as a call to inspire integrity in reporting while upholding the spirit of fair play in all aspects of sports coverage.
The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) in its statement on the day, hailed Sports Journalists and encouraged them to continue their efforts in promoting the various sporting events under strenuous circumstances.