Skip to main content

International Women's Day 2022: Hilltopvoices talks to Leocadia Bongben Journalist, Sports Reporter

March 8 will be observed the world over as the International Women's Day. Ahead of this day aimed at shining the light  on the achievement of women, www.hilltopvoices.com talks to Leocadia Bongben, a media professional with out standing achievements in sports reporting. 
Leocadia Bongben, Journalist 

Hilltopvoices: What inspired you into sports reporting? 
 
Leocadia Bongben: I can say I found myself in sports reporting by accident but turned it into passion. I discovered colleagues at The Post were in for more political news and that was not my domain. So, I decided to wonder around sports, and discovered this was virgin land. That is how I stayed, was consistent and learning. 


Hilltopvoices: How did you become a sport reporter? 
 
Leocadia Bongben: I followed the local championship, was where every important football activity was happening, because that is the king sport. I had a space where many were not clamouring for, the back page.
I was among the lucky few who went to the Egypt the Al Ahly-Cotonsport Champions League game. 
It was the article I wrote for this game that I used to apply for a project, African Media on the Road to 2010. I was among the 118 journalists in Africa selected. We were trained sports reporting in Ghana and during the World Cup wrote articles published and paid by the project. I discovered that where to find good stories, not the 90minutes of game but issues and people around the game. The push came in 2010 and i got an opportunity to string for BBC Sport from 2011
 Hilltopvoices: What are the challenges you have faced? 
 
Leocadia Bongben: The challenges faced are many, one is to be out at odd hours when women should naturally be at home taking care of kids and the husband. Events at times went late in the night and I have to be there to get the information first hand, especially audio for radio, and website quotes (working for BBC Sport from 2011)
Also, giving up week-end to go for a championship game and other competitions.   
Hilltopvoices:  Can you share with us your best moments? 

Leocadia Bongben: My best moments were obviously, my by-line in The Post or BBC Sports. Having the opportunity to cover Indomitable Lions games, in Morocco, Togo, the African Nations Cup in Angola, World Cup in South Africa… 

Hilltopvoices: What are Your regrets? 

Leocadia Bongben: No regrets, I relish every moment reporting sports, the passion, the controversy, the actors, are overwhelming. Sports reporting has given me everything, media officer women’s national team…
Hilltopvoices: What are your ambitions? 

Leocadia Bongben: My ambition is to mentor young female journalists to report sports, write a book… 
Hilltopvoices: Should young women follow your path? Tell us why

Leocadia Bongben: Young women, journalist should follow this path because it is an area like any other for journalists. It is an area where news is often glaring and handy requiring only angling and originality. Then, I would advise women journalists specialize and freelance for big media houses that have a good sports policy.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nukwi Ne Abubte: Mankon is Ready

  By Bakah Derick  The Coordinating Committee of the Official Homage and Celebration of the immediate past Fon of Mankon His Royal Highness Fo Angwafo III S.A.N traditionally known as Nukwi Ne Abubte has declared the Fondom  ready for the event. The readiness of the palace and Mankon in general was made public during a press conference on Tuesday 14 December 2022 in the palace.  According to Joseph Mumbari, Chairperson of the the committee, all necessary dispositions have been taken to make sure that sons and daughters as well as friends of Mankon have an opportunity to celebrate the great legacy of Fo Angwafo III who ruled Mankon for 63 years.  The elaborate program which will will run from the 15 of December 2022 to the 15 of January 2023 will kickoff with an official event this Thursday at the Mankon Palace esplanade as early as 6am with the Minang-do dance performed by princes and princesses ahead of the official Homage involving the state.  Cultural animati
Post a Comment
Read more

North West Cameroon: Remarkable Cultures I- The Nso People

They own, and with pride, use Lamnso (language of Nso) anywhere they are found. They are from the grassfields of Cameroon, with capital being Kimbo (or today known as Kumbo), the Nso People have a rare structured traditional administrative setup, with the Fon at the summit; then there are the   Vibai, aShufai, aYaa, aFai, aShey, etc.  Yeeh Ngwerong  The very religious people give uncommon value to their traditional beliefs, yet are so attached to Christianity and Islam, the two main religions apart from the traditional practices. Even the most learned of them all would always go back home to identify with their roots, either to pay allegiance to the throne of the tribe, occupied by an "immortal" being, called the Fon; according to the cultural belief, the never dies.    Many would also return home just to be and identify with the people during cultural events. Ngam-Ngonnso’ is the melting pot of Nso culture and traditions. It is a week during which the peoole communinion with
Post a Comment
Read more

Neh Sandra Fongeh Defends Degree with Unlikely Innovation: Beans Peeling Machine

By Bakah Derick  In a groundbreaking display of creative innovation, Neh Sandra Fongeh, a student of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute of the University of Bamenda defended her Bachelor's degree on Saturday, September 9, 2023, using a remarkable beans peeling machine. The unconventional approach caught the attention of faculty members,  fellow students and family members alike, turning Neh's defense into a memorable event. Neh Sandra Fongeh presenting her machine to the Jury Neh Sandra, known for her out-of-the-box thinking and passion for engineering, mesmerized the audience with her extraordinary project during the thesis defense titled: design and realization of a manually and motorized beans shelling machine. While most students opt for a traditional presentation or experiment demonstration, Neh's choice to showcase a beans peeling machine highlighted her unique perspective on problem-solving.
4 comments
Read more