JoySports' Ayinga-Walter shortlisted for AIPS Young Reporters Award

JoySports' Joseph Ayinga-Walter is among the top five young reporters worldwide. He has been shortlisted for this year’s AIPS Awards in Morocco.

Ayinga-Walter is an undergraduate journalism student at UniMAC–IJ. This institution was formerly known as the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). He earned recognition for his story, “From Riches to Rags: The Story of Eric Agyemang.” This compelling piece gained attention last year.

The judging panel acknowledged his work as one of the best stories submitted by young sports journalists globally. The feature tells the tragic decline of Eric Agyemang, a former Berekum Chelsea player. It highlights his struggles with alcoholism and living in an unfinished building.

Since the story aired, Agyemang has reconnected with former teammates. He now holds a well-paying position at Sapholda Ventures.

The AIPS Sport Media Awards are now in their sixth edition. They represent the highest international accolade in sports journalism. These awards celebrate excellence and inspire new sports media professionals worldwide.

Ayinga-Walter’s work stood out among over 1,890 submissions from 141 countries. His entry ranked in the top 35 percent of qualified submissions, showcasing its quality and creativity.

The announcement of the Top 5 finalists marks the third stage of judging. This process is guided by preferences from the AIPS Executive Committee. Winners will be announced on May 13, 2025, during a ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.

This year’s competition received over 600 submissions in Young Reporters categories alone. It included various award categories like Video, Photography, and Writing.

Since its start in 2018, the AIPS Sport Media Awards have accepted entries from 161 countries. They have awarded over $500,000 USD to outstanding sports journalists worldwide.