Just as the scorpions of The Gambia are making history, past and current students of the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication are also shinning in Cameroon. The Gambia is participating in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country's history. This is the same for many of the sports journalists from the tiny West African country. About a dozen journalists from The Gambia are currently in Cameroon. Five of these are past and current students of MAJaC.  

While the scorpions continues to sting on the pitch, MAJaC students on the ground are keeping Gambians home and abroad up to date with all the happenings in the Afcon.

Amadou Tamba, a Diploma student at the Academy and a sports journalist for one of the biggest radio station in The Gambia, Capital FM said, he is making good use of the knowledge and skills gained at the Academy at the AFCON. He said since he joined MAJaC his production, writing skills as well as his confidence and analytical skills improved immensely. He added that he is also a lot more confident to interact with colleagues from other countries.

"We meet a lot of journalist from Africa so the interactions is a key component here. I learnt a lot at MAJac. I have no problems speaking in the midst of other journalists from Africa and other parts of the world thanks to the confidence MAJaC trainers put in me," Tamba said.

Dawda Baldeh, a certificate student working for a renowned online platform, The Fatu Network said his studies at MaJaC did not only helped him in his coverage of the Afcon but in his career as well.

"When I was joining the media, I had little experience but since I joined MAJaC, I have improved drastically.”

Baldeh said the quality of studies at MAJaC is high enough to prepare anyone for any journalistic tasks.

"Right now I can say I am not afraid to be assigned for any form of coverage. Because I know the kind of training I got from MAJaC," he added.

Sally Jeng the only female among the five is an Advanced Diploma student. Sally said her studies at MAJaC is what make her who she is today. She said she remembered how she struggled as a reporter and how that has changed since she joined MAJaC. Sally is filing stories for an international media, Radio France International. She is one of the few Gambian journalists filing stories for an international medium. Click to read her stories: https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220125-dream-on-gambia-s-scorpions-bask-in-glory-of-reaching-cup-of-nations-last-eight

https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20220117-scorpions-sting-gambia-s-afcon-hopes-still-alive-following-draw-against-mali

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220119-gambia-s-top-forward-babucarr-trawally-leaves-africa-cup-of-nations-afcon-under-controversy-football

The trio advice young journalist from MAJaC urged students at the same academy to take their professional training seriously. They all said studying at MAJaC can be challenging because the trainers there prepare students for the rigours of the newsroom.

Momodou S Jallow and Uthman Jeng both of whom are former students of the Academy are also currently in Cameroon delivering topnotch reports and photographs respectively for their media.