The President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Sahr Morris Jr., has confirmed the hosting of a capacity-building program, targeting at training over 50 Sports Journalists on how to use digital channels to enhance their profession.
The SWASAL President made this revelation in his compelling ‘World Sports Journalist Day’ message as he recognized the tireless efforts of sports journalists in shaping national identity and fostering unity through sport.
As the world celebrates World Sports Journalism Day yesterday, Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Sahr Morris Jr., reflects on the vital role sports journalists play not just in reporting games, but in championing peace, development, and professionalism within the media landscape.
Morris noted that the 2nd of July will continue to be a very special day for sports journalist, because in 1924 our international body AIPS was born in Paris before the Olympics and back home, in August some 51 years ago our beloved Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone was also formed.
“For Sports Journalists in Sierra Leone, this year is a very special one because it is a year that is here to test our resolve in all aspects, our professionalism, dedication, challenges with the new trend and above all our ethics as a professional.”
The official theme of this year’s celebration is: “Championing Fair Play: Reporting with Integrity and Impact.” We as Sports Journalists should hold the responsibility to promote transparency, ethics, and positive values in sports reporting, while also engaging audiences globally.
Let me borrow the words of AIPS President Giannini Merlo who said: “And now we are living in a very delicate, dangerous and confusing moment in the world, and this uncertainty has filtered even into the cosmos of sport, which exudes tension and absorbs only the worst aspects of politics.
“We need to improve our cultural background, both sporting and civil. We need to be ready to respond to the new demands of life, and our commitment to this cultural upgrading is fundamental.”
“Yes! It is a MUST we need to move beyond the traditional way and embrace upgrading into our work as professionals, and as a practicing journalist myself, I know, it is not easy to study more because work hours have expanded, we are now in the era of round the clock sports reporting, every minute and hour counts, it is on this backdrop we are focusing on more on the spot capacity building with the growing trend of the world.”
“Colleagues, let me take this opportunity to inform you all that as part of our celebration this year, SWASAL will be hosting a capacity-building program targeted at training over 50 Sports Journalists on how to use digital channels to enhance their profession. Our membership will be equipped with modern and requisite skills needed to enhance their work to remain relevant in the ever-changing trends in the practice of journalism in the digital age.”
