“Inside Bangladesh’s Breakthrough Sports Journalism Workshop: Young Reporters Get Hands-On Training”

A day-long workshop aimed at preparing aspiring sports journalists for the professional world was held on Friday (28 November), engaging hundreds of eager young participants. Titled “Introduction to Sports Journalism: The Art of Storytelling and the Pulse of News”, the event provided hands-on experience and guidance from some of Bangladesh’s most respected sports media professionals.

The workshop, organised by Gameplify, the world’s first sports-focused social media platform, took place at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Auditorium. Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4:30 p.m., the programme maintained a dynamic schedule filled with lectures, interactive sessions, and a closing quiz competition.

More than 500 individuals initially registered to attend. However, due to space limitations, organisers held a lottery to select 170 participants for the in-person workshop. Many more joined online through a virtual link. At the end of the day, certificates were awarded to winners of the concluding quiz round, creating a celebratory atmosphere among the participants.

Throughout the event, top sports journalists discussed a wide range of topics essential for modern sports reporting. Sessions focused on the history of sports journalism, on-ground reporting, television journalism, scriptwriting, feature writing, and the rapidly growing field of mobile journalism (MoJo). The speakers emphasised how storytelling, accuracy, and creativity remain at the heart of the profession, regardless of technological advancements.

Dulal Mahmud, Editor of the popular sports fortnightly Krirajagat, spoke about the rising significance of sports journalism in Bangladesh. “There was a time when this profession was not taken seriously,” he said. “Today, newspapers are hiring specialised sports reporters in large numbers, and there are dedicated sports photographers as well. As a profession, sports journalism has become both attractive and promising.”

Online platform NotOutNoman founder Noman Mohammad encouraged newcomers to embrace creativity and continuous learning. “If you can imagine the beginning and the ending of a story, the middle becomes easy to write,” he said. “Write it as if you are telling a story. Above all, you need genuine passion for sports and the courage to break out of the conventional mould.”

Renowned television journalist and BSPA president Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib highlighted the increasing importance of fact-checking in the age of fast digital news. “Television allows very little time,” he noted. “You must be selective and eliminate unnecessary details. Accuracy is everything. That’s why cross-checking is essential.”

Senior journalist and former Editor of Desh Rupantor, Mostofa Mamun, described on-ground reporting as the “lifeblood” of sports journalism. “Watching a match on television and filing a report from home is not real sports journalism,” he emphasised. “You must go to the field. Only then can you absorb the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds, and the behind-the-scenes details—insights that only a reporter can capture.”

Gameplify CEO Mahfuzur Rahman attended the programme in person, while the platform’s founder and chairman, Moshiur Rahman, joined via video message from the United States. “People always want to stay connected—from the Super Bowl to the World Cup,” he said. “Gameplify aims to be a reliable platform for sports fans everywhere. We want to build trust even in an era dominated by technology. More workshops and training programmes are coming soon.”

Organisers expressed satisfaction with the participants’ enthusiasm, believing the workshop has sparked a renewed interest among young people to pursue careers in sports journalism.