Malawi sports journalists on Wednesday joined their Switzerland-headquartered world mother body, International Sports Press Association (Aips), in commemorating World Journalists Day.

In a statement, the Sports Writers Association (Swam) said the day could not have come at any better time as Aips is celebrating its 90th anniversary and the 2014 World Cup is also in progress in Brazil.

“In view of this, Swam would like to recognise Malawi sports reporters’ efforts in contributing to sports development. We hope that the Flames, with sound and sustainable football development policies, shall one day grace the Fifa World Cup finals,” reads the statement signed by Swam general secretary Chisomo Mwamadi.

“The ongoing World Cup once again offers a challenge and opportunities for local sports journalist to learn and make themselves relevant in the face of the growing irresistible force of social media,” he said.

In a statement to all its member affiliates, Aips interim general secretary Evelyn Watta called on sports journalists to “reflect on the unique challenges facing sport and sports journalism today from match-fixing, illegal betting to downsizing and cutbacks within our newsrooms.”

As part of its celebrations, Aips Africa kicked off its anniversary celebrations in Dakar, Senegal last March that moved to Baku, Azerbaijan during its congress in April. The main commemoration took place yesterday July 2 in Lausanne Switzerland, Paris, (France), Incheon (Korea) and in South America.