PARIS, September 26, 2023 – The first time I heard the slogan “Africa is the Continent of the future” I was still in elementary school and I was not even sure about the real meaning of the word “future”. Now that I live – somehow – in that future, I feel betrayed by that old slogan, while consuming my daily dose of news coming from Africa. In the same case, time seems frozen. Local conflicts, poverty, authoritarian Government, foreign interferences and a growing number of young hopefuls risking their lives while trying to cross the Mediterranean, in order to achieve a better future, for instance.

The trap of an easy generalisation lies in wait, but we can’t deny the picture portrayed in the news is not promising. I did my first lecture in Africa as AIPS Mentor for young journalists in Addis in 2018. My pessimism began shifting back then. Only one year later I had the privilege to run a Young Reporters Programme in Morocco, and suddenly my perspective changed completely.

When I eagerly accepted to be part of a Young Reporters Programme in Paris in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), I knew I was setting myself up for a unique experience. 

The IOC has partnered with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and the Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 to launch a new Young Reporters programme that will provide sports reporting training to a select group of young professionals from Africa.

The programme, which will run in the build-up to Dakar 2026, is aimed at creating a tangible legacy for the young generation in both the host country, Senegal, and the wider African continent, with 16 budding journalists from six countries set to take part. The occasion for this YRP has been the Paris 2024 mountain bike test event, which took place from 21 to 25 September 2023. The Young Reporters received in-class training at the Paris 2024 headquarters and on-the-job training at the Elancourt Hill Olympic venue. In parallel, a wider group of participants received online training. 

Sometimes we know little if nothing about young journalists’ daily struggle in countries like Senegal, Algeria or Uganda. Bachir, a 23-year-old reporter studying for a PhD while working in communications for the Canadian embassy in Algeria, came to me one day asking me about ethics in journalism. He had faced some predicament while trying to have a story published, and he was looking for some clarity.

Nénucha Ciss, a 23-year-old third-year student in journalism, works as an intern at the Senegalese national daily, Le Soleil. She ponders if working in communication would suit her better, although she is convinced journalism will lead her to what she envisions clearly for her life: documentary making.

Absolm a photographer/video maker from Uganda who took a short break from working at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France to attend the YRP, dreams big: “I wish my picture will have an impact in people's lives, in the future. I want to get better every day.”

And here we go again, the term “future” comes back thanks to the words of a 23-year-old from Kampala. Thanks to the amazing work of Lucia Montanarella at IOC and the support of some incredible mentors such as Tracy Holmes, Dennis Paquin, Nick Didlick and Ivan Boyanov, the five intense days of programme in Paris, turned out to be one experience to treasure for a long time. These young journalists face the same difficulties of many other colleagues around the world but they have shown a desire and level of passion not easy to match. Their drive is what will make this profession thrive in their country. No matter the freedom of speech limitations they may encounter or the lack of resources. The enthusiasm and the dedication will make up for what is missing.

One more time, myself, the mentor, the one who should transfer some knowledge to the youngsters, is the one walking away learning something absolutely inestimable. Yes, Africa is the Continent of the future. I saw that in Paris looking in the eyes of these young reporters.
 

Absolm Hassan “Omar” Wamwayi

Absolm is a 23-year-old from Uganda who is currently pursuing studies in journalism and multimedia. He also works as a professional photographer primarily specialising in rugby, though he took a short break from working at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France to attend the start of the Young Reporters Programme in Paris.

Arame Thiandoum

Arame, 24, from Senegal, is a certified digital marketer with experience in social media, who is currently studying communications and sports management. Fluent in French and English, she hopes to further develop her knowledge and skills during the programme. 

Bachir Mokhtari

Bachir from Algeria is currently studying for a PhD while working in communications for the Canadian embassy in Algeria. Additionally, the 23-year-old has previously worked as a sports reporter for various newspapers and websites in Algeria. He acted as press attaché for the Algerian NOC at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has the goal of working in sports-related media. 

Fatma Niang

Fatma, a 21-year-old from Senegal, is currently in her third year of a bachelor’s course in journalism, specialising in broadcasting at the Centre for Information Science and Technology Studies in Dakar. She aspires to be part of the new generation of video journalists capable of covering a wide range of events.

Moses Martin Mbogo

Moses Martin is a 24-year-old from Kenya currently working as a sports editor for Sports Brief Kenya, where he has gained experience in radio interviews with sports personalities.

Nandala Aurelia Emérence Monné

Twenty-four-year-old Nandala of Burkina Faso studied journalism and is currently working as an intern at the sports information service of Burkina Faso Television Broadcasting, with the dream of showing her younger sisters that sports journalism is not just for men.

Ndèye Astou Samb Sène

While studying finance and accounting, Ndèye decided to make a switch and follow her true passion for journalism. The 24-year-old Senegalese has since joined Emedia Invest as an intern, where she has gained experience in broadcasting.

Nénucha Ciss

Currently in the third year of her studies in journalism, Nénucha, a 23-year-old from Senegal, has also been working as an intern at the Senegalese national daily, Le Soleil.

Olamide Oluwaseyi Abe

At 23, Nigeria’s Olamide has studied at both the University of Ibadan and the National Broadcast Academy of Lagos. He has since started as a sports analyst intern at Family FM, and has worked as a sports reporter, data analyst and podcaster for several media outlets.

Saliou Camara

Having already completed his studies in law, 23-year-old Senegalese Saliou decided to begin a bachelor’s degree in journalism to follow his passion for broadcasting.

Salome Njoki Njoroge

Twenty-two-year-old Salome from Kenya studied journalism and mass communication at Zetech University, and now works as a digital sports journalist in online media.

Sylvia Abigael Wafula

Currently pursuing her master's degree in communication and multimedia at the University of Kenya, the 22-year-old Kenyan, Sylvia, has previously gained experience in sports reporting while working for Radio Africa Group and Pulse Sports Kenya.

Tabitha Nashipae Lengisol

Kenyan Tabitha left her hometown of Narok, in Kenya, to pursue higher education at Moi University, a path that has now led the 24-year-old to work as a correspondent for Mozzart Sport in Eldoret.

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke

Tracy, 24, from Kenya, interns at Africa Uncensored Writing and Public Relations as a fact checker, having previously earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and digital media.

Yann Henri Durand 

Born in the USA but now living in Senegal, 23-year-old Yann has experience in radio and wants to gain further knowledge and experience in order to develop his career as a journalist and analyst. 

Yaye Awa Niang

Twenty-three-year-old Senegalese Yaye studied at the faculty of legal and political sciences for two years before joining the Centre for Information Science and Technology Studies in Dakar. In 2022, she interned at Medi TV Afrique and at ITV Senegal in 2023.

FULL CAPTION OF MAIN PHOTO

Back row: Nick Didlick (mentor), Tracey Holmes (mentor), Lucia Montanarella (Associate Director Olympic Games Media Operations), Absolm Hassan “Omar” Wamwayi (YR from Uganda), Denis Paquin (mentor), Fatma Niang (YR from Senegal), Ivan Boyanov (mentor), Yann Henri Durand (YR from Senegal), Saliou Camara (YR from Senegal), Riccardo Romani (mentor), Marc Ventouillac, Max Boso (coordinator of programme).
 

Front row: Ndèye Astou Samb Sène (YR from Senegal), Arame Thiandoum (YR from Senegal), Nénucha Ciss (YR from Senegal), Yaye Awa Niang (YR from Senegal), Bachir Mokhtari (YR from Algeria)