The African sports press deserves more attention. It participates in showcasing African sport in the global sports arena.
There is no gainsaying that sports journalists are our daily partners and companions in all continental and world sports competitions.
We very much appreciate the role played by sports journalists during the coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games or the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Despite the difficulties imposed by the pernicious Covid-19 pandemic, the sports press always answered present at these events.
We do not lose sight of the hard work done on a daily basis by these professionals in the 54 countries of the continent where the National Olympic and Sports Committees are active, which must maintain proper and effective press relations with the sports journalists of their respective countries.
As Africa looks forward to hosting major international competitions, the African sports press must put its stamp on these Olympic events.
We count on you to keep projecting the image of a Sporting Africa that wins even through its media, through its Press.
African youths have benefitted much from all the information contained in reports, chronicles, analyses and comments of sports journalists who have always demonstrated a high level of professionalism during competitions.
ANOCA heartily congratulates all these Journalists who brave many difficulties to provide information in real time to the general public and especially actors of the Olympic and Sports Movement.
The advent of digital technology warrants the sports press to change its attitude, as it must face the information distortions that result in Fake News, and sport is no exception.
But, sports journalists, our friends and brothers, must take full measure of the stakes and continue their work in compliance with ethical principles.
We have your back on this World Sports Press Day.
Mustapha Berraf
IOC Member
President of ANOCA
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
