BANJUL, THE GAMBIA – Varmah Kamara, President of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), has arrived in The Gambia to represent Liberia at the 8th AIPS Africa Congress, marking a historic turning point for the organization.
By: Christopher C.Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Kamara’s arrival in Banjul on Wednesday signals the first time in nearly 40 years that SWAL will participate in a high-level international engagement under the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since its founding in 1986.
Upon his arrival, the SWAL President was greeted by members of the local organizing committee.
He is set to join delegates from across the continent at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo for the summit, which officially opens on Friday, February 6.
Breaking New Ground
The visit is seen as the culmination of Kamara’s “International Re-engagement” policy.
Since his induction, Kamara has been vocal about breaking the isolation of Liberian sports journalists, working closely with LFA President Mustapha Raji and global AIPS leadership to restore SWAL’s standing.
A High-Level Agenda
Kamara joins an elite gathering of sports media professionals and political leaders. The Congress, themed “Digital Media, AI, and Ethical Journalism in Africa,” will feature:
Keynote Address: H.E. Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia.
Global Oversight: Gianni Merlo, President of AIPS World.
Networking and Professional Growth
While in Banjul, President Kamara is expected to participate in sessions focused on “Olympism in the Digital Age” and “Investigative Sports Journalism.”
His itinerary also includes bilateral meetings with other national sports press presidents to discuss potential exchange programs and capacity-building workshops for SWAL members back in Monrovia.
The congress will conclude on Sunday, February 9, with a session dedicated to the state of African football, a topic high on the agenda for Liberia as it seeks to revitalize its domestic leagues and national team coverage.
