ASJF founder, and AIPS Member Sayer Zaland raises concerns of Afghan sports journalists as international bodies pledge support, including training opportunities for women journalists.
LAUSANNE | By ASJFNEWS
Afghanistan’s sports media community was represented at the 88th AIPS Congress in Lausanne by Sayer Zaland, founder of the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation (ASJF), who used the platform to convey the challenges facing journalists in the country.
Zaland’s participation extended beyond formal attendance, as he engaged with AIPS officials and international delegates to highlight the current realities of Afghan sports journalists, particularly those operating under restrictive conditions.
During a series of bilateral discussions and informal meetings, representatives of several national associations expressed readiness to support Afghan journalists through targeted initiatives. These include proposed online training programs and capacity-building workshops, with a specific focus on supporting women journalists who face increased barriers to participation.
The engagement reflects a growing recognition within the global sports media community of the need to provide sustained professional support to journalists working in constrained environments.
The Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation, which has resumed activities in recent years, continues to position itself as a platform for advocacy, training, and professional development. In a landscape marked by institutional limitations and restricted access, international cooperation has become an essential mechanism for maintaining journalistic standards and inclusion.
ASJF officials indicated that, building on the outcomes of the Congress, a series of training workshops and development programs will be launched in the near future, aimed at strengthening the capacity of sports journalists across Afghanistan.