Evelyn Watta’s Historic Victory Marks a New Era for African Media

Kenyan journalist Evelyn Watta was, on Sunday April 12, elected as the 1st Vice President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Her victory at the 88th AIPS Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, was a definitive mandate for new things to come.

Watta secured an impressive 90% of the vote, defeating the incumbent, Ioannis Daras of Greece, in a landslide victory.

With this win, Watta becomes the first African woman to hold such a position within the world’s peak body for sports journalists.

This milestone reflects a move towards greater diversity and the formal recognition of African expertise on the global stage.

Watta’s ascension to the vice presidency is the culmination of years of dedicated service and professional excellence. As a veteran journalist and the former Secretary General of AIPS Africa, she has long been a fierce advocate for gender equality, working tirelessly to pave the way for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Beyond gender representation, she has been a cornerstone of youth development, mentoring the next generation of sports storytellers through her extensive work with the AIPS Young Reporters Program. Her career has been defined by a commitment to ensuring that the voices of African journalists are not only heard but respected in international forums.

Watta steps into the role at a critical juncture for the industry. Sports media is currently navigating the complexities of the digital age and the rapidly evolving nature of global broadcasting. With the overwhelming support of the association behind her, she enters office with the strongest possible momentum to shape the future of sports journalism for years to come.