The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, has urged sports journalists to promote gender equality by giving greater visibility to women in sports.
Gumel made the call at the NOC Women’s Commission seminar for sports journalists held in Abuja on Monday, October 26.
He said the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception of women in sports and called for deliberate efforts to tell their stories.
“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.
He stressed that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate in sports and inspire women to assume leadership roles.
According to him, the seminar was beyond sports reporting, but about changing perspectives and giving visibility to female athletes and leaders.
“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 journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women’s Commission, noting that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation.
He commended the chairperson and members of the Commission for their dedication and contributions to advancing 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.
He urged participants to engage actively and acquire the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.
