By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Media Practitioners in Ekiti State has been advised to show more interest in reporting sporting activities and to also see it as part of their beat in their daily responsibilities.
Giving the charge, the Vice President, Southwest Sport Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), comrade Ayodeji Ogunsakin appealed to newsmen in the zone to embrace sports reporting by diverting more interest to the beat.
The Vice President made the call today during an interactive session with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during a courtesy visit to the executive members of the union.
He complained over the number of journalists that shown interest in the beat, adding that the interest level is relatively inconsiderable.
He said, “In journalism, we have different beats and some of these beats are reported in a specialise manner. Sport reporting is an aspect of those kind of specialise beats.
“To be member of the Sport Writers, you are expected to focus majorly on the terms in sports, although not outrightly but in significant, Sport reporting is not just about the technicality, it is more of the interest.
“As journalists, it is expected that you know something about everything unlike other professions just as you are expected to do in sport reporting, but you must never underestimate the place of personal interest.”
Commenting on the monetary and other advanges in sports beat, Mr Ogunsakin said that, sport reporting has advantageous opportunities, however, journalists should be careful not to be driven by the glamours to forget the place of hard work and rewards.
”To practice journalism, you do not need to focus much on money, work first by the time you work, your work will surely speak for you. It doesn’t mean that sport reporting is so lucrative, the only glaring part is that it provides opportunity to tour round the world. For instance, if Super Eagles is playing in Abuja, as a sport reporter, you have the privilege to attend and report the event”, he said.
More so, speaking on the implication of the negligence and lack of involvement in the field, the Vice President noted that the rate of sport reporters are likely to diminish, if the interest of the upcoming journalists are not geared towards it.
He noted, “This trend will continue to affect mostly the upcoming journalists if they are not instructed on the need to identify with the beat. Take for instance, when you have 16 journalists in a certain media outfit, it is likely to see just two show interest in the sport. This is really affecting the upcoming generation.
Mr Ogunsakin appreciated the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State, Lion Rotimi Ojomoyela for his support and encouragements in the course of the election, promising to effectualise positive growth, unity of purpose and adequate welfarism during his tenure.
He said, “Charity begins at home, I have not started my official visit though. Like you know, I was just elected as the Vice President of SWAN, that is why I am here to appreciate the Chairman of NUJ because during the course of my struggles he was part of those who were encouraging and supporting me
”This is not an issue , because we need to do it together to take our zone to the the best place and to bring back the glory of those years that Southwest is known for. Aside this, we are going to be working towards improving the welfare and unity of purpose of the Union.”
