This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
As Kenya prepares to host several major international events in 2020, the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has announced plans to train its members in professional skills to enhance their journalistic abilities.
According to SJAK General Secretary Mike Okinyi, the association will conduct six training workshops in collaboration with various agencies, with the first one scheduled for February 2020.
Okinyi emphasized the need for sports journalists in Kenya to acquire the necessary training skills to effectively cover the upcoming events, including the IAAF World Under-20 Championship, the Safari Rally, and the Magical Kenya Open.
Kenya will also be hosting the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020, providing a unique opportunity for local journalists to gain international experience.
Okinyi urged journalists to diversify their skills and learn new areas of specialization to increase their chances of opportunities in the sports coverage field.
As part of the training program, SJAK will recruit a woman commentator to be the voice of the World Under-20 Championships, with the selection process to be conducted in February 2020.
The association is also collaborating with the Kenyan Government to offer sports journalists fully paid trips to cover international and continental events.
Despite the economic challenges facing the country, SJAK reported a surplus of Sh1 million in 2019, with the association's treasurer, Alex Isaboke, proposing a reduction in the annual membership fee from Ksh6,000 to Ksh4,000 to encourage increased membership.
