Sports media practitioners in Kenya have received vital media coverage tips ahead of Kip Keino Classic, a World Continental Tour- Gold extravaganza slated for Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
World Athletics (WA) Press Liaison Delegate Cornelia Shmid- who is in Nairobi for the upcoming Continental Tour showpiece -urged Kenyan journalists to take advantage of Mixed Zone interviews to churn out quality content from star athletes.
The Mixed Zone offers athletes an opportunity to meet up with media personalities for quick quotes or sound bites from elated stars who have just won medals or the unlucky non-podium competitors who are left to rue their luck and dream for another day.
Cornelia told sports journalists in Nairobi: “Journalists should take advantage of the Mixed Zone interviews to savor first-hand experience from athletes after victory.”
“We try to educate athletes on the dynamics of interviews; and emphasize the fact that they have an obligation to interact with fans and make them know that it’s part of their job to take media interviews.”
She added: “Just the other day, Kenyan athlete (Ferdinand) Omanyala underscored the significance of athletes passing through the mixed zone at the end of a race, saying that every athlete has an obligation to interact with fans.”
During the training workshop, Cornelia also highlighted the dos and don’ts of WA Media Facilities which also entail the Media Centre, Media Tribune, Press Conference Room, Photo Positions (Head-on Positions, Infield positions and Outfield Positions) and Media Restaurant /Lounge.
Cornelia : “Journalists are prohibited from taking selfies and autographs at the mixed zones, because they are professionals, and the trend holds up the process and athletes from recovery; when they’re supposed to go back to the changing room,” said Cornelia.
The team behind the World Athletics international media in Nairobi has the Head of Media Operations, Media Operations Senior Manager, Media Services Coordinator, Photo Operations Specialists, Press Liaison Delegates and News Services/Flash Interviews.
The local media team at Kip Keino Classic entails the Head of Media Operations, Media Chief, Photo Chief, Media areas managers among others.
“The Media Operations Team is responsible for the planning, management of the media areas, and tailored services to ensure that media can cover the event and all elite athletes,” said Cornelia.
The media workshop, organized by Sports Journalists Association in conjunction with Athletics Kenya (AK), was also graced by living legend Kipchoge Keino who acknowledged the role of media; as a link between athletes and fans.
“The seminar is important for the sport as media personalities have an opportunity to learn the dynamics of the sports. Talent abounds in Kenya, and there is a need to build facilities in all areas of the country and the media plays an integral role in this initiative,” said Keino, who the weekend event is named after.
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[1:21 PM, 4/19/2024] +254 722 700042: KIP KEINO CLASSIC: SCRIBES LEARN WHY BEHIND THE SCENES STORIES ARE IMPORTANT IN THE EVOLVING WORLD OF RUNNING
In the evolving world of sports, storytelling has become a powerful tool for attracting and engaging fans and athletes alike.
Behind the scenes stories of struggle, triumph, and the human experience of athletes are intriguing to both casual and hardcore fans alike.
During the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Athletics Seminar held in Nairobi in the run up to Saturday’s Kip Keino Classic, scribes received vital tips on the power of sports storytelling; as a fascinating trend how the public view and appreciate sports.
Elias Makori, Head of Sports at Nation Media Group (NMG) in his presentation, called on reporters attending the workshop to invest a lot more in their time and strive to hang out with athletes in churning out human interest athlete stories.
Mr. Makori, who is a seasoned journalists with an experience spanning over three decades in the trade, also revealed that “the key to a successful interview is establishing rapport with athletes.”
To achieve this, Mr Makori added, “Reporters must do their homework and approach interviews knowing both the background of the source and something about the subject of the story.”
He continued: “Always look for interesting facts, anecdotes, historical background of the athlete that will make the story more interesting.” Mr Makori said in his presentation.
Mr Makori added that reporters need to pay particular attention to the structure of the interview.
He continued: “A reporter should also be adept at handling hostile sources and uncommunicative resources.” He said.
“When a reporter asks the right questions with finesse, a source becomes a window of the news. Interviewing requires patience, confidence, and an uncanny knack to listen, participate, observe and absorb,” said Makori.
The seminar is being used by SJAK to impart technical knowledge to journalists well in time for the weekend showpiece, which continues to distinguish itself as a top-ranking one-day-meet athletics championship.
‘Kip Keino Classic’ is part of the Continental Tour Gold series by World Athletics. The action-packed event boasts top talents from Africa and other continents giving athletes a chance to compete at an international level while reaching fans all over the world.
