The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has called on sports journalists to promote gender equality by giving greater visibility to women in sports through balanced, inclusive and deliberate media coverage.
Gumel made the call on Monday, at a seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists in Abuja.
He emphasised the media’s critical role in shaping public perception of women in sports, urging journalists to tell more stories about female athletes, coaches, administrators and other women making significant contributions to sports development.
“The media shapes narratives. What you write, what you say, what you show, determines how the world perceives women in sport. If we want more girls to play, more women to coach, more women to lead, then we need the media to tell those stories,” Gumel said.
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He noted that balanced and inclusive sports reporting would encourage more girls to participate in sports and inspire women to pursue leadership positions across the sector.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change perceptions and ensure greater recognition of women’s contributions to sports in Nigeria.
“This seminar is therefore not just about reporting sports. It is about changing the lens. It is about giving visibility to our female athletes, celebrating our female leaders, and encouraging a more balanced and inclusive coverage of sports in Nigeria,” he said.
Gumel described the seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women’s Commission, noting that the programme highlighted the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation and leadership in sports.
He also commended the chairperson and members of the Commission for their commitment and contributions to promoting women’s interests within the Olympic Movement.
“I am proud to say that this Commission has not disappointed. Since 2023, year after year, they have organized very impactful Women Leadership Programmes for female coaches, administrators, managers and technical officials in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. They have built capacity, mentored and inspired,” he said.
The NOC president urged participants to take full advantage of the seminar by actively engaging in discussions and acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to champion the cause of women through sports journalism.
He expressed optimism that deliberate media efforts to highlight the achievements of women in sports would help create greater opportunities for female participation, representation and leadership in Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
