By Mahamood Fofana
The President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Sahr Morris Jr., has called on sports journalists to uphold professionalism, integrity, and ethical reporting while using sports journalism as a tool for national development.
Speaking as sports journalists worldwide commemorated World Sports Journalists Day on Thursday, 2 July 2026, Morris reflected on this year’s theme, “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” urging journalists to assess whether their work is promoting unity, inclusion, and positive social change through sport.
He described sport as one of Sierra Leone’s strongest unifying forces and said sports journalism has a critical role to play in breaking down regional divisions, strengthening social cohesion, and fostering national unity.
Morris encouraged journalists to go beyond reporting match results and controversies by highlighting the positive impact of sport as a pathway for youth empowerment, employment, and socio-economic development.
He also stressed the importance of adhering to the SWASAL Code of Ethics, noting that responsible journalism is essential in promoting accountability, exposing malpractice, reducing violence, and strengthening public confidence in sports administration.
As part of the World Sports Journalists Day celebrations, SWASAL honoured five journalists for their professionalism and outstanding contributions to sports journalism and the development of sport in Sierra Leone. The award recipients were James Jamail Fartoma, Mohamed Barrie Silla (Pizzarro), Magadeline S. Konneh, Ishmael Saidu Kanu, and Donald Theo Harding.
Morris also paid tribute to deceased members of the association, including the late Emmanuel Kobba of Radio Mercury, in recognition of their service to sports journalism.
He further announced that SWASAL has officially opened membership registration for aspiring sports journalists wishing to join the association.
Concluding his message, the SWASAL President urged members to remain united and committed to using sports journalism to build bridges, break barriers, and contribute to the continued growth and development of sport in Sierra Leone.
