Rising journalism star, Daniel Ekonde, wins Best TV Sports Reporter Award.

Ekonde was recently crowned by members of the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA, as Cameroon’s Best Television Sports Reporter.

The outstanding sports journalist was handed the esteemed prize during CENPA’s maiden award ceremony. 

The grandiose ceremony took place on Thursday July 25, at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel. The crowd pulling event was presided over by the Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication, MINCOM, Prof Felix Zogo.  

Several government ministers and other dignitaries of timbre and calibre lived the historic award ceremony. 

The award jury was headed by international legal guru, Barrister Akere Muna. The King of Kumba and Paramount Fon of the Bafaw, Senator Ekoko Mukete IV served as scribe of the jury while celebrated global peace advocate and civil society actor, Esther Omam and the President of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo, sevred as members. 

According to the no-nonsense jury, Ekonde Daniel declared winner in the category for “his insightful, sharp and professional TV reports on sports”. 

Ekonde received the prestigious award from the former Vice President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Senator Mballa Moki Charles.

Promises to do more

Reacting to the award, Ekonde said the esteem recognition was a pleasant surprise and a great delight. He said the award will serve as a motivation in his professional career.

“After about seven years of practicing journalism in Cameroon as a full-time journalist, I have received an award as Best TV Sports Journalist. I am quite excited. This will motivate me to do more in the field,” Ekonde said.  

Ekonde added that: “I started my journalism career as a radio journalist. I only got into TV about four years ago. Winning an award like this shows that I am doing well in TV and it is going to spur me up to do more”. 

Ekonde dedicated his award to God Almighty and to all those who have supported his career from school. 

Ace sports journalist, Isifu Michel Wirfengla, who mentored Ekonde from his baby steps, described the laureate as a “good example in society where quality journalism doesn’t happen easily”.  

“I feel good to see him living his dream. The award is a good motivation and testimony to his commitment and brilliance. He is an erudite journalist who takes his job very seriously. More so, he always wants to beat himself,” Isifu said. 

He added that: “We share the same values, work ethic and vision about life and careers. I bet you, he will make us proud in the future”.

Ekonde Daniel the man

Ekonde Daniel Kongo hails from Bomaka, Buea, in Fako Division of the South West Region. The award-winning journalist has deservedly and steadily been rising with a lightning speed to summit in sports reporting in the country and beyond. 

Ekonde is holder of a Bachelor's Degree, BSc, in Journalism and Mass Communication, JMC, from the University of Buea, UB.

He began his journalism career as a member of the sports desk at JMC’s teaching radio, Chariot Radio, in 2015. Due to his incredible and remarkable skills, Ekonde was promoted to the position of producer of the sports service, where he showcased top-notch professionalism and elevating the status of the station.

Ekonde’s immense talent did not go unnoticed across the Region. It did not take long before he was on the radar of several media houses. Ekonde continued his career at the Christian Broadcasting Radio, CBS, in Buea.

He anchored one of the most listened sports programs in the South West Region, Sports Fiesta, on weekdays and also an extended magazine show, Top Sport, on Saturdays.

Ekonde has also made his mark on the international scene. He has authored several compelling and in-depth reports for some of the world’s leading institutions like the Cable News Network, CNN, Al Jazeera, Global Voices, Quartz Africa, Mail and Guardian, The Continent and New Frame amongst others.

This Story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3193 of Thursday August 08, 2024