Nigerian-born former USA National Basketball Association (NBA) star, John Amaechi has come out with fresh ideas on how to battle racism in football and other sport events.
Sports247.ng can report that Amaechi believes it takes collective effort from everyone involved – participants, fans, officials, coaches and media – to instill an inclusive approach to end racism.
Amaechi, who is an organisational psychologist, said something more revolutionary is needed to improve inclusion and representation in the battle to stop racism through people in the sports media.
He noted that a research by Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) showed that, out of 338 people in screen roles, written and broadcast media at six of last year’s major events, only five black journalists and seven Asians were not from professional sporting backgrounds.
That low level of diversity in sports journalism led Amaechi to conclude that some regulation may eventually be required to facilitate change that does not otherwise appear to be coming.
He noted that this is mostly due to the lack of role models from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Amaechi added: “The glacial pace of progress tells us we need to do something a little more revolutionary than waiting and hoping that we can put some posters up and maybe wear some laces that are different, and hope that change happens that way.
“At some point, if the powers that be aren’t actually willing to facilitate change, then you have to put in a process regulatory-wise.
“It would be great to have more role models. It is really important that people can see people at the top of the ladder and see that however the climb, you can make it.”
