World Sports Journalists Day: Mandaviya, Jay Shah salute media's role in sport
Synopsis
On World Sports Journalists Day — a date tied to the 1924 Paris Olympics and AIPS's founding — both India's Sports Minister and the ICC chairman took to X to salute the press fraternity. The dual tribute reflects a growing institutional push to formally recognise media as a pillar of sport's expansion, not merely its chronicler.
Key Takeaways
World Sports Journalists Day is observed on 2 July every year, instituted by AIPS in 1994 to mark its 70th anniversary .
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailed sports journalists as 'vital partners' in India's sporting journey in a post on X .
ICC chairman Jay Shah credited sports journalists with informing fans, inspiring future generations, and strengthening the global sporting ecosystem.
AIPS was founded on 2 July 1924 during the Paris Olympic Games in France.
Both tributes were posted on X on 2 July 2025 .
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Thursday, 2 July extended greetings to the sports media fraternity on World Sports Journalists Day, acknowledging the indispensable role journalists play in promoting sport, amplifying athletes' achievements, and bridging millions of fans with live sporting action across the world.
What is World Sports Journalists Day
Observed every year on 2 July, World Sports Journalists Day was instituted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the organisation's 70th anniversary. AIPS itself was founded on 2 July 1924 during the Paris Olympic Games in France. The day honours sports journalists, photographers, broadcasters, and digital content creators who chronicle sporting events and carry stories from the field to global audiences.
What Mandaviya Said
Sports Minister Mandaviya underscored the significance of sports journalists within India's rapidly evolving sporting landscape, describing the media as essential partners in the country's sporting journey. He credited journalists with celebrating achievements, identifying emerging talent, and motivating young athletes to pursue excellence.
'Sports journalists are vital partners in India's sporting journey, celebrating achievements, highlighting talent, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the entire sports media fraternity. Your hard work, dedication, and professional integrity continue to strengthen India's sporting ecosystem. Happy World Sports Journalists Day!' Mandaviya posted on X.
Jay Shah's Message to Global Sports Media
ICC chairman Jay Shah, in a message posted on X, praised the dedication and passion of sports journalists worldwide, noting that their work extends well beyond reporting scores and results. Shah acknowledged that sports journalists inform fans, inspire future generations, and reinforce the global sporting ecosystem by bringing compelling stories of athletes, teams, and competitions to life.
'On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my appreciation to sports journalists around the world whose dedication and passion bring the stories of sport to life. Your commitment to informing, inspiring, and connecting fans plays a vital role in the growth of sport globally. Thank you for your invaluable contribution,' Shah wrote.
Why This Recognition Matters
India's sporting ecosystem has expanded significantly over the past decade, with disciplines beyond cricket — including athletics, badminton, wrestling, and hockey — gaining mainstream visibility. Sports journalists have been central to that shift, building narratives around athletes who might otherwise go unnoticed. This comes amid growing institutional recognition of media's role in sport, with bodies such as the ICC and the Sports Ministry increasingly engaging directly with the press fraternity. The convergence of Mandaviya's and Shah's tributes on the same day signals a broader effort to formalise the relationship between Indian sporting governance and the media that covers it.
Point of View
However, is any concrete commitment: no press accreditation reforms, no media access guarantees, no safety provisions for journalists covering sports in difficult environments. Goodwill on X is easy; structural support for the fraternity being celebrated is harder and conspicuously absent.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Sports Journalists Day?
World Sports Journalists Day is observed annually on 2 July to honour sports journalists, photographers, broadcasters, and digital content creators worldwide. It was instituted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the organisation's 70th anniversary, with AIPS itself founded on 2 July 1924 during the Paris Olympic Games.
What did Sports Minister Mandaviya say on World Sports Journalists Day?
Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described sports journalists as 'vital partners' in India's sporting journey, crediting them with celebrating achievements, identifying emerging talent, and inspiring young athletes. He posted his tribute on X, wishing the entire sports media fraternity on the occasion.
What did ICC chairman Jay Shah say about sports journalists?
Jay Shah praised sports journalists for going beyond reporting scores, saying their work informs fans, inspires future generations, and strengthens the global sporting ecosystem. He posted his appreciation on X, thanking journalists for their 'invaluable contribution' to the growth of sport globally.
When was AIPS founded and why does it matter?
AIPS, the International Sports Press Association, was founded on 2 July 1924 during the Paris Olympic Games in France. It instituted World Sports Journalists Day in 1994 on its 70th anniversary, making the date a globally recognised marker for the sports media community.
Why are both Mandaviya and Jay Shah marking this day?
As heads of India's sports ministry and the ICC respectively, both figures oversee institutions that depend heavily on media coverage for reach and engagement. Their public tributes on World Sports Journalists Day reflect growing institutional recognition of the media's role in expanding sport's audience and cultural impact.
