Sports journalists stand to win up to $10,000 (sh30m) cash prizes in new awards launched by world media body AIPS.
The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) will together with the Abu Dhabi Media Group start rewarding outstanding journalists this year.
The awards were launched at the start of AIPS’ 90th anniversary celebrations at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Entries will be considered from new media as well as traditional platforms in photography, writing, audio and video.
The awards recognize and reward quality, innovation and originality in sport story telling.
According to an AIPS release, the winners in nine categories will each get $10,000 while the first and second runners-up will receive $1,500 (sh4.5m).
The annual event will be held in December this year in Abu Dhabi.
A special award will also be introduced for coverage of a social project involving a sporting initiative aimed at bettering lives of the marginalized.
The Sport for a better World Award will like the other prizes have for the journalist getting $10,000 and a $50,000 (sh150m) donation to the project that is the subject of the winning coverage.
Sports recognition has largely been confined to athletes and managers, leaving out the media, which plays a crucial of relaying information, unappreciated.
AIPS president Gianni Merlo was amongst those who applauded the awards.
“These awards are very important, because in a difficult moment for our profession it is necessary to return the spotlight onto the value of our work.
Sport means culture and these awards will help the public recognize the social value of sports journalism. We thank Abu Dhabi Media for hosting this initiative, which will add something to our new world.”
Ugandan journalists have also welcomed the awards.
“It is a good initiative. It should bring out the best in us as we go about our daily assignments,” stated 2013-14 Foreign Correspondent Association of Uganda award winner Michael Nsubuga.
Abu Dhabi Media is one of the fastest growing multi-platform media and entertainment organisations.
James Bakama, The New Vision