Media General and 3Sports journalist Mandela Yaw Anuvabe has earned continental recognition after finishing fifth in Africa in the Young Reporters Writing category at the 2025 International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Awards.
Anuvabe’s recognition comes on the back of his compelling feature on the May 9, 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster, a tragedy that claimed 127 lives and remains the worst stadium disaster in Africa’s history. His piece, “How ice cream became an unlikely lifesaver during Africa’s worst stadium disaster,” stood out for its originality, depth, and powerful storytelling.
The feature revisits the events of that fateful day from a rarely explored perspective, highlighting how a seemingly insignificant item, yogurt ice cream, played a crucial role in helping some fans survive the effects of tear gas during the chaos.
The story centres on first-hand accounts from survivors who described how the substance helped ease breathing difficulties at a critical moment, offering a unique human angle to a widely documented tragedy.
Anuvabe’s work was praised for shedding new light on an event that has largely been told through official reports and general narratives, instead focusing on personal experiences that had not been extensively documented.
His achievement also underscores Ghana’s growing presence in international sports journalism, as he was one of only two Ghanaian journalists to make the AIPS longlist and rank among the top performers on the continent.
The AIPS Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in global sports media, attracting entries from journalists across the world and celebrating excellence in storytelling, reporting, and innovation.
Anuvabe’s recognition marks a significant milestone in his career and reflects the continued impact of Ghanaian storytelling on the global stage, particularly in preserving and re-examining important moments in the country’s sporting history.
