AIPS awards shortlists: Gambia’s Buba Fallaboweh lined up for best global colour piece prize
Shortlisted Gambian sports journalist Baboucarr Fallaboweh Jallow
Swedish-based Gambian sports journalist Baboucarr Fallaboweh Jallow has been shortlisted along with 29 others for his 2020 colour piece “Back way: Gambian footballers in deadly travel to Europe” by the International Sports Press Association for its annual awards – the AIPS sports media awards.
The awards, in its third year running, are a celebration of those sports media professionals that produce the best and most creative content worldwide. The 129 countries represented in this edition are split as follows: 39 from Europe, 34 from Africa, 28 from Asia, 26 from the Americas and 2 from Oceania.
Giving his reaction to Gambia Sports’ Abdoulie Bah, himself an alumna of the AIPS educational project, the young reporters programme, the falloboweh.com founder said:
“I am inspired by all contestants irrespective of their categories because over the years I have read their piece/work”.
“My article title: Backway, Gambian footballers in deadly travel to Europe is a true narration of how young boys/girls try to escape poverty because there is little that their profession(footballers) is giving them back. The story follows one particular player, from scratch till he made it to Italy. Trials, tribulations, regrets, hunger, and pain. I wanted to narrate a story that is so dear to me and create awareness that it doesn't worth the risk. I feel humbled and determined to share stories that are affecting the daily lives of Gambians”.
Read the shortlisted piece: http://fallaboweh.gm/2020/10/30/back-way-gambian-footballers-in-deadly-voyage-to-europe/?fbclid=IwAR0UXq0v6JSellKR4BS6fWapGJQ2UGKW187lO3pe9ccVOP8x7_z8i243xvI
The shortlist is now passed to a Jury, established by 11 respected professionals from the five continents and presided by AIPS president Gianni Merlo. In the second voting stage, the Jury chooses the 3 finalists.
A final voting stage takes place the day before the ceremony that will take place in February/March 2021, subject to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The 8 senior categories in Photography (Action, Portfolio), Writing (Best Column, Best Colour Piece), Audio and Video (Short Feature, Athlete Profile, Documentary) offer a total sum of 104,000 US Dollars (US$, 8,000 per winner, US$, 3,000 for the second-placed and US$ 2,000 for the third-placed).
AIPS will deliver certificates to all participants and will also announce the continental rankings. To maximise the positive impact that the AIPS Sport Media Award can produce in someone’s career, special certificates will be delivered to the best-rated works in each continent.