There may be no better home for storytellers than Rabat—the cultural heart of Morocco—where history, tradition, and narrative have merged for centuries. The 2024 AIPS Sport Media Awards concluded in this vibrant city with a dazzling celebration of global sports journalism excellence.
Set against the majestic backdrop of Palace Jawhara, the gala marked a momentous occasion: the first time the ceremony was held on African soil since the inception of the Awards in 2018. A caravan of international finalists gathered under the stars for what was dubbed “a special Arabian night”, a celebration of stories that transcend borders and barriers.
Global Reach, Local Honor
From over 2,065 entries across 136 countries, just 27 finalists made it to Morocco after four meticulous voting stages. Hosted by Morad Moutaouakkil and Sarah Fayek, the event brought together legendary figures, top journalists, and esteemed guests from every continent.
AIPS President Gianni Merlo opened the ceremony with a speech lauding the exceptional quality of submissions and the growing importance of sports journalism in promoting truth, inclusion, and integrity.
In a heartfelt tribute, four Moroccan sports journalism pioneers were honored: Najib Salmi, Mohamed Salhami, Mustafa Badri, and the late Belaid Bouimed, whose family received a moving standing ovation.
The Winners: Excellence Across All Media
Senior Categories
Each senior category winner received $8,000, with second and third places earning $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
- Video Short Feature:
🥇 Jieni Cheng (China) – “Surface”
🥈 Armando Oquendo (Spain) – “First Try”
🥉 Henrique Arcoverde (Brazil) – “Home Turf” - Photography Sport Action:
🥇 Jerome Brouillet (France) – “The Golden Moment”
🥈 Borut Zivulovic (Slovenia) – “Above the Mist and Trees”
🥉 Mike Egerton (UK) – “Simone Biles” - Writing Best Column:
🥇 Tianhao Shen (China) – “A United Euro 2024, an Ununited Europe”
🥈 Shireen Ahmed (Canada) – French hijab ban in sports
🥉 Robert Livingstone (Canada) – Olympic cricket in New York - Audio:
🥇 Jens Peter Gideon (Germany) – “Schumacher: The Story of an Icon”
🥈 Andrew Todos (UK) – “Play On: Ukraine’s Football Return”
🥉 Ashish Sharma (UK) – “Football’s Financial Fairplay” - Video Athlete Profile:
🥇 Christoph Nahr & Philipp Grüll (Germany) – “Beckenbauer”
🥈 Marc Sauvourel (France) – “Marie-Jo”
🥉 Andreas Troll (Germany) – “Being Michael Schumacher” - Photography Portfolio:
🥇 Esam Al-kmali (Yemen) – “Football is a Gateway to Peace”
🥈 Edward Whitaker (UK) – “Global Horse Racing”
🥉 Dario Belingheri (Italy) – “Cycling Moments” - Video Documentary:
🥇 Alexandra Guiral & Louis Villers (France) – “The Sirens of Ukraine”
🥈 Robert Schöffel & Simon Wörz (Germany) – “Attack on Amateur Football”
🥉 Nan Shen (China) – “Aim High” - Writing Best Colour Piece:
🥇 Adam Leventhal (UK) – “Christian Atsu: One Year On”
🥈 Itay Goder (Israel) – “I Give You My Word”
🥉 Steve Menary (UK) – “Greek Tragedy”
Young Reporters: The Future of the Craft
Winners of the Young Reporters categories received AIPS Scholarships to major sporting events.
- Broadcasting:
🏆 Tracy Onchoke (Kenya) – “Stuck in Overtime: Karatu Stadium” - Photography:
🏆 Anna Szilágyi (Hungary) – “Champion” - Writing:
🏆 Anushe Engineer (Pakistan) – “It’s All or Nothing for Arshad Nadeem”
Special Commendations and Recognitions
The ceremony also highlighted special commendations for outstanding work in key topics:
- Fighting Corruption:
Cătălin Tolontan (Romania), Andrés Burgo (Argentina) - Clean Sport, Mental Health, Women in Sport, and Inclusion:
Notable honorees included Ida-Marie Vatn, Issy Ronald, Constanza Sandoval Vera, and Demétrio Prado. - Climate Change & Innovation:
Simon Asare and Magnus Wikan stood out for forward-thinking journalism. - Parasports and Diversity:
Paul Carter and Arafat Zubaear were celebrated for their impactful stories.
A Celebration Beyond Awards
The 2024 AIPS Sport Media Awards not only honored excellence but also reaffirmed the power of journalism in shaping societies and empowering communities. In Rabat’s glowing night of stories, the global sports media fraternity was reminded that the pen, lens, and mic remain essential tools in preserving the legacy of sport and human spirit.
As the finalists return home with medals, memories, and missions renewed, Rabat will be remembered not just as a host—but as a heartbeat in the global narrative of sports journalism.
