The founding-year concept

The Afghanistan Sports Journalists’ Federation and ASJF in Exile are developing a practical route into professional sports reporting. Short lessons, mentor feedback and original reporting assignments would help learners build the skills and judgement needed to cover sport accurately, independently and with context.

ASJF contributes its connection to Afghan sports journalism. ASJF in Exile brings the experience and networks of Afghan media professionals abroad. Learners would share teaching and assessment standards, with access arrangements adapted to their circumstances.

The first year is planned for January to December 2027. Preparatory work has already begun. The final intake and launch depend on confirmed mentors, a tested learning platform, safe participation arrangements and sufficient financing.

Who the programme is for

Recruitment would prioritise adult emerging journalists and recent journalism graduates, especially ages 18–30. Published work, ASJF membership and English fluency would not be prerequisites. Places are intended to be tuition-free.

The proposed cohort totals 37 learners: 19 women and 18 men. Application dates and admission procedures will be announced through ASJF’s official channels. Safety, demand and access may require an agreed adjustment.

Teaching that works on a phone

Across 48 planned teaching weeks, learners would use short text lessons, compressed audio and downloadable slides. Live attendance would be optional, with equivalent ways to participate and complete assignments. Dari and Pashto support would follow a needs survey; international sessions would use reviewed translation or interpretation where required.

Mentor groups and teaching capacity would be confirmed for the revised cohort of 37 learners before launch. Lessons would cover verification, interviewing, match reporting, rules and statistics, ethics, source protection, mobile storytelling and practical newsroom work. Sports specialisation would include football, futsal, cricket, Olympic sport and other relevant sports.

The football strand would include 16 football or futsal reporting briefs during the year. Learners could use safe remote interviews, original observations and public records. Assignments would be designed around realistic access; international travel, tournament accreditation and player interviews are not promised.

From preparation to a final portfolio

1. Before launch: confirm teaching capacity, test the platform, approve scope and costs, and establish admissions, safeguarding, complaints and privacy procedures.
2. During the year: combine lessons with reporting tasks, mentoring, feedback and equivalent participation options.
3. At completion: assess practical work and a capstone, review learning against a baseline exercise, and report aggregate results to partners.

Practical results and the diploma

Each learner would prepare four assessed football or futsal pieces: a match report, an interview or profile, a data or governance explainer, and an inclusive feature. Two pieces would address women, displaced people or another underserved community.

Proposed first-year targets: 148 football or futsal pieces, including 74 inclusive pieces, and at least 30 graduates. Mentor capacity and access checks will determine the final commitments.

Completion would require core modules, equivalent participation, passing practical work and a capstone assessed by two reviewers. Successful learners would receive an assessed portfolio and an ASJF Diploma in Sports Journalism for the one-year programme.

The diploma would be an ASJF programme award. AIPS and AIPS Asia review is sought but is not yet agreed. Publication of learner work would require a separate editorial and consent decision.

An international partnership opportunity

ASJF welcomes discussion with sports bodies, media development organisations, educational institutions and funders. Partners could contribute specialist teaching, curriculum advice, mentoring connections or defined support for learner connectivity and access. ASJF would retain teaching, grading and editorial responsibility.

Proposed relevance to FIFA’s work

• Women’s football: train women reporters and improve accurate, contextual coverage of the women’s game, grassroots activity and Afghan football communities abroad.
• Human rights and equality: offer all four learner groups access to the same academic standards, with private participation and safe reporting alternatives.
• Practical media education: combine teaching with original reporting and mentoring. FIFA’s support for the OFC and ABC women’s media programme offers a relevant precedent.

These connections are grounds for a proposed discussion. FIFA would determine whether the initiative fits an appropriate institutional mechanism. No FIFA partnership, funding commitment or endorsement has been agreed.

Official references: FIFA Women’s Football Strategy · FIFA human rights commitments · FIFA-supported OFC and ABC women’s media programme

Leadership and accountability

Sayer Zaland directs the project and is authorised to represent ASJF and ASJF in Exile. Khushhal Taib coordinates teaching and mentors learners. Atiq ul Rahman Tair prepares the financial plan. They will approve the scope and costs together.

Nargis Zaland prepares the online programme. Nilab Rahimi coordinates women’s learner support and Niaz Shinwari coordinates men’s learner support. Teaching appointments and schedules will be confirmed before launch.

Learners may refuse unsafe assignments without losing marks. Partner reporting would protect identities and use aggregate results. Participation arrangements would be reviewed individually, particularly where disclosure or reporting activity could create risks.

Help build the founding year

We welcome an introductory conversation about teaching expertise, mentoring or support for access to learning. A detailed workplan and approved cost schedule would follow the appropriate partnership route.

Sayer Zaland
Project Director, ASJF eCollege
Authorised Representative of ASJF and ASJF in Exile

info@asjfnews.com
Alternative: asjf.aips@gmail.com

Programme concept · October 2026 · Planned delivery: January–December 2027