NOC President Gumel Calls for Greater Media Coverage of Women in Sports
Oru Leonard
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, has called on sports journalists to intensify efforts to promote women’s participation in sports through inclusive reporting and increased visibility for female athletes and sports administrators.
Gumel made the appeal on Monday, October 26, 2026, at a seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists in Abuja.
He emphasised that the media has a significant role in shaping public attitudes towards women in sports, noting that deliberate and balanced coverage would encourage more girls to participate in sporting activities and motivate women to pursue coaching, administration and leadership positions.
According to him, sports journalists must go beyond reporting competition results to highlighting the achievements, experiences and contributions of women across different sporting disciplines.
“The media shapes narratives. What you write, what you say, what you show, determines how the world perceives women in sport,” Gumel said.
He added that increased media attention to female athletes and women in sports leadership would help inspire a new generation of girls and promote gender equality within the sporting community.
The NOC president described the seminar as an opportunity to reshape media narratives and strengthen the commitment to fair and inclusive sports reporting in Nigeria.
He explained that the programme was not merely about improving journalistic practices but also about ensuring that female athletes and women leaders receive the recognition they deserve.
Gumel also commended the NOC Women’s Commission for its contributions to developing women’s leadership capacity within the Olympic Movement.
He noted that since 2023, the commission had consistently organised Women Leadership Programmes for female coaches, administrators, managers and technical officials across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the initiatives have helped participants develop their professional skills, build capacity and gain the confidence required to take up greater responsibilities in sports.
“I am proud to say that this Commission has not disappointed. Since 2023, year after year, they have organised 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.
Gumel described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic programme marking the conclusion of the current Women’s Commission’s tenure, with particular emphasis on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation and leadership in sports.
He urged participants to take advantage of the seminar to acquire relevant knowledge and skills that would enable them to become effective advocates for women in sports journalism.
The NOC president expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between sports administrators and the media would contribute to a more inclusive sporting environment, where female athletes and professionals receive greater recognition and opportunities to excel.
