KATHMANDU: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum on Thursday marked the World Sports Journalists Day with various programmes.

July 2 is celebrated worldwide as the World Sports Journalists Day coinciding with the establishment day of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). The Nepali umbrella organisation of sports journalists organised an informal programme at its office.

NSJF IPP Niranjan Rajbanshi, who is also the Member of AIPS-Asia, said sports journalists needed to be united for the overall development of the sector. “We have been doing a good job in sports journalism sector, but there are some areas where we can improve ourselves. Also, we need to stay united and strong,” said Rajbanshi. He also asked the sports journalists to come up with innovative ideas. “As a team, we have the ability to execute plans if you come up with good ideas,” he said.

Vice-president Devendra Subedi, who is also the convener of NSJF’s Foreign Department, opined sports journalists, especially the newcomers, needed to be interactive. “We have created a common platform to interact and I urge all the sports journalists to be more interactive rather than using the platform just for sharing information,” said Subedi.

Subedi also read out the message of AIPS President Gianni Merlo. “Today we celebrate the 91st anniversary of AIPS at a time when all around us the world of sport is enduring the biggest storm of its history. What happened in FIFA is a sign that the officials of sport have exceeded every human limit of decency and in so doing have created a criminal organisation. Many of them are without shame. For this reason we must have zero tolerance of the crooks. For this reason now more than ever we have to fight for our independence because this is the key to help sport to come out from the malodorous swamps,” said Merlo in the message.

NSJF Secretary and Member of Federation of Nepali Journalists said the sports journalists needed to be more investigative in the days to come. Also, Grande International Hospital organised a free health camp for the sports journalists and athletes. Dr Binod Bijukchhe said Grande was ready to work with NSJF. “We provide world-class facilities at our hospital and we have a policy to help sportspersons,” he said. “We have established a sports science department in our hospital and we are eager to work with the sports journalists.”

In Bhairahawa, NSJF Coordination Committee of Rupandehi district organised a friendly football tournament between the sports journalists and Managers of Bhairahawa-Lumbini Industrial Corridor. The Managers’ team beat Media 4-3 riding on a brace from Suraj Uprety and a goal each from Raj Kumar Gupta and Ram Rawat. Umesh Thapa, Krishna Prasad Khanal and Ganesh KC scored for the journalists’ team. The match was dedicated to sports journalist Suman Bhomjan, who lost his life in April 25 earthquake.

In Chitwan, NSJF Coordination Committee organised media swimming competition. A total of 27 journalists, including eight women, took part in the event. Gita Kumal, Sangita Acharya and Manisha Shrestha claimed top three positions, while Laxman Paudel, Ramesh Rana Magar and Narayan Dhungana did so in men’s category.