Guide to Sports Journalism, a 510-page book on
sports journalism, was launched at the British Council, in Accra attended by a cross-section of sports enthusiasts in the country.
The book, authored by Mr. John Vigah of Times Sports and two-time Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Sports Journalist of The Year Award winner, is the first of its kind in Ghana.
It is exclusively dedicated to education for practicing and aspiring sports journalists, as well as the sports loving public to learn the rules governing the major sporting disciplines.
The book also affords broadcasters the opportunity to be abreast with the jargons and terminologies associated with all the major sporting disciplines such as football, boxing, swimming, golf, athletics and many
more to avoid embarrassing situations where the practitioner sometimes fumble with simple terms and jargons.
Lepowura Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula, former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who launched the book, advised sports journalists to aspire to perform to perfection and be mindful of the standards of the
English language if they are to attain desirable heights in their profession.
He described the book as a piece of "Journalism Classicus", and urged others to emulate Vigah's footsteps.
Nii Nortey Duah, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports described the launch of the book as timely saying, "it will be a useful reference document not only to sports journalists but also every practitioner in the Journalism industry".
He urged sports journalists and the sporting public to get copies of the book, since it would provide them with deep insight into their favourite discipline and to enable them make useful and incisive contributions devoid
of the usual ignorant remarks that litter the airwaves in recent times.
The Deputy Minister took stock of the first five copies of the book for an undisclosed pledge, while Mr. Wolarnyo Agrah, CEO of the National Sports Council (NSC) also took three copies for an undisclosed amount with a pledge
to come for more for the Council's library.
Mr Vigah appealed to sports journalists to be circumspect in their choice of words if they are to avoid courtroom battles that might take away their credibility.
He said the book also serves as a platform to introduce, promote and develop the 'lesser known sports' such as badminton, netball, water polo,
chess, disabled sports and many more.
Dignitaries at the event also bought a number of copies of the book.
Among them were Mr Afail Monney, Vice-President of the GJA, who bought a copy for GH¢ 200 with Mr Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, Treasurer picking a copy on behalf of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) for GH¢ 300.
A representative of Street Football Academy took a copy for GH¢ 100, while Mr J. F. Mensah took a copy for GH¢100, with Mrs. Joyce Boeh-Ocansey, CEO of EPP Book Services bought a copy of the book for GH¢100.
The Million Balls Africa Foundation took two copies, while former coach of Accra Hearts of Oak SC, Sanzio Banner took a copy for £50, with the Lepowura also taking a copy for 500 Ghana cedis.