After acrimoniously leaving the NewsDay newspaper under Alpha and Media Holdings in 2019, award winning journalist Farai Matiashe has undeniably proven that a Prophet is never accepted in his home area but outside.
Matiashe was today announced as the winner of Association International de la Presse Sportive (AIPS) Media Awards 2022, Young Reporter Writing. The award ceremony was held in Seoul Korea. The Young Reporter Writing category had various talented wordsmiths from different nations but Matiashe outshined them all and made Zimbabwe proud.
The story which saw Matiashe shine at International level is titled ‘Zimbabwe’s girl footballers kick back against teen pregnancy.’ It is a story set in Zimbabwe’s second largest city Bulawayo and it explores how Trish Muparadza and other teenage girls have turned to soccer as means of escapism from the ills that threaten the proper development of the girl child. It is the story of girl resilience and excellent in a male dominated sport and it explores the hopes and dreams of the girls to succeed both in professional football and academics.
Matiashe announced his victory in a Facebook post which he wrote, ” Ladies and Gentleman It’s coming home. I have just been announced as the Winner of Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS) Media Awards 2022, Young Reporter Writing. First of all I would like to thank the jury for honoring me with the prestigious award. It makes me feel great that my hard work is being recognized. I am grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey from my mom, wife and uncle.”
He further said, “I am indebted to my editor at the Evening Standard in London for commissioning this story and providing me with all the resources. Also to Tafadzwa Ufumeli my brother who handled all the visuals. Thank you”
Matiashe is a freelance journalist based in Mutare. He writes for prominent news outlets like Aljazeera, CNN International, Vice World News, Evening Standard just but to mention a few.
BY ELINERA MANYONGA
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