Deep Dive: World Athletics invites Botswana aspiring journalists to apply for Media Academy ahead of World Relays

World Athletics (the global governing body for athletics) has extended an invitation to aspiring journalists in Botswana for its Media Academy, timed ahead of the World Relays. This move reflects a strategic effort by the organization to build media capacity in underrepresented regions, particularly in Africa where Botswana is located. Geopolitically, such initiatives foster soft power through sports diplomacy, enhancing World Athletics' influence in southern Africa amid growing interest in global athletic events. Botswana, a stable democracy in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has a history of participating in international sports but limited media infrastructure for covering them, making this targeted outreach significant. From an international affairs perspective, the Media Academy serves as a bridge for cross-border knowledge transfer, equipping local journalists with skills to report on high-profile events like the World Relays. This could amplify African voices in global sports narratives, countering traditional media dominance from Europe and North America. Key actors include World Athletics leadership and Botswana's media aspirants, whose participation aligns with broader goals of youth empowerment and economic diversification in a diamond-dependent economy. Culturally, athletics holds communal importance in Botswana, rooted in tribal running traditions, providing context for why this resonates locally. Cross-border implications extend to SADC neighbors, potentially inspiring similar programs and strengthening regional media networks. Stakeholders beyond Botswana, such as event sponsors and international broadcasters, benefit from a more skilled global press corps. The outlook suggests expanded opportunities for African journalists, contributing to nuanced coverage of athletics amid rising geopolitical tensions over sports governance and doping scandals. This preserves the nuance of sports as a tool for development rather than mere competition.