Banjul, 17th March 2025: Despite the growth of digital media, online publications, and sports broadcasting, the media industry is observed to have been experiencing capacity gap among sports journalists in budget reporting and analysis in The Gambia.
According to reports, by 2026 the demand for skilled sports journalists writing for sports pages on budget reporting and analysis in The Gambia and beyond is projected to increase proactively; hence providing numerous factual and accurate budget and finance reporting prospects for sports journalists.
In light of this circumstance, a two-day capacity building on financial reporting and budget analysis was organised at National Nutrition Agency during the weekend for sports journalists.
The training, supported by the Ministry of Youths and Sports aimed to enhance the capacity of sports journalists in The Gambia to improve reporting on budget analysis and expenditure management practices.
In his address at the opening of the training, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, welcomed the idea of journalists engaged in continuous learning to enhance effective reporting. “Journalists should capitalise on such opportunities in order to succeed in the rapidly evolving sports journalism landscape, and produce high quality, engaging, and informative contents for their various media platforms”.
He went on: “Journalism, and every other profession is dynamic; so things keep changing and evolving; thus [the need] for journalists to stay up-to-date”. He charged that there are many corruption allegations, but advised that they take their time and do analytical report with all fairness.
The Sports Minister also encouraged sports journalists not to limit their reporting only at national level, but rather engage in the grassroots sports like zonals and other underreported sporting activities.
Omar Jarju, president of Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia observed that little is reported on budget analysis of sports associations in The Gambia and beyond due to capacity gap. “We need to be able to justify any claim we write about and it should be factual,” he cautioned.
He went on: “I am expecting a change in narrative; more budget analysis and finance reporting in sports and holding sports officials to account”.
Mr Jarju informed that there would be a monitoring and evaluation mechanism in place to ensure sports journalists are put to task in their reporting of budget and finance issues in sports.
Isatou Keita, president of Gambia Press Union, recognised Sports Journalists Association’s efforts and commitment to improving effective sports reporting in The Gambia, and efficient workforce management.
Former Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia president, Musa Sisay, applauded the sports journalists association’s executive for their efforts.
Pa Omar Jobarteh, Chief Finance Officer, Guarantee Trust Bank Gambia Limited, underscored the need for sports journalists to be exposed to key financial terms and basic finance concepts in budget analysis reporting.
By Kumba Leigh
20 Sports Journalists Undergo Training on Financial Reporting
