The Sports Journalists’ Association of Kenya (SJAK) belatedly marked World Sports Day, which falls on July 2, with the second edition of its Indoor Sports Day at Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel in Nairobi on Friday.
The event, fully sponsored by KCB Bank and introduced last year at Goan Institute, is aimed at helping members of the sports media fraternity appreciate and understand the dynamics of indoor sports beyond football and athletics, which dominate headlines.
SJAK President James Waindi said the indoor games were introduced to complement the association’s longstanding outdoor sports day and to promote all-round journalism.
“Apart from our outdoor sports day program that has a longstanding tradition we introduced the SJAK indoor games last year to help members understand more indoor sports and embrace the culture of all-round journalism,” Waindi said.
“We cannot only write about what we watch. As sports journalists, we must also experience different disciplines to tell better stories. Indoor sports teach strategy, patience and precision — qualities that are also needed in our newsrooms.”
Waindi added that the association wants members to move out of their comfort zones and engage with sports that do not always get media coverage.
“As an association, our responsibility is to broaden the scope of sports reporting in this country. If we understand darts, chess and other indoor games, we will give them the space they deserve,” he said.
“World Sports Day is about participation and inclusion. This indoor day is our way of living that spirit, even if belatedly. Sport is for everyone, and journalism should reflect that.”
The day featured competitions in darts and chess, among other indoor disciplines.
SJAK Treasurer Mukami Wambora emerged the ladies’ winner in darts, while Martin Cheruiyot of KASS FM took the men’s honors.
In chess, SJAK President James Waindi emerged the overall winner, ahead of Anita Omwenga of MyGov, who also clinched the ladies’ title.
The Indoor Games were sponsored by KCB Bank Kenya.
SJAK said it intends to hold an outdoor sports day later in the year, featuring football and fun sports such as egg and sack races, to bring members together in a more relaxed setting.
World Sports Day is observed globally on July 2 to promote the importance of physical activity and sport in society.
