“Never seen people like me in that field”: Somali-Swedish woman carves niche in sports journalism

Jasmin Nur, a 30-year-old Somali-Swedish woman, has forged a unique path in sports journalism, bypassing traditional media to build her own platform through podcasts and social media. Her journey began with the podcast "Halvlek med Jazz" during the 2016 Euros, initially to discuss Arsenal but evolving to feature unique stories from athletes.

Nur, who wears a hijab, identifies a significant lack of diversity in Swedish sports media. "Sports journalism is still very white and male-dominated, that's where I stand out as a young, Somali girl who wears a hijab," she stated. "I have never seen people like me in that field, but for me, it is important to show younger people that you can get in."

She recalls her first interview with Taha Ali at Knutby IP in Stockholm, the same location where she began her career. Nur, who works full-time as a high school teacher in Tensta, balances this with her passion for sports journalism in her free time. Her podcast has featured notable guests like Anthony Elanga, Fridolina Rolfö, and Henrik Larsson.

“

Det har varit en helt annan acceptans, mitt arbete har blivit värderat för min kunskap. Jag har alltid fått motbevisa mig i Sverige, även efter att ha intervjuat stora profiler. Jag vet inte vad som krävs för att jag ska få in en fot på en svensk redaktion. Det säger ju något om hur homogen branschen fortfarande är.

Nur's self-made platform led her to cover the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where she interviewed legends like Kaká and Didier Drogba. She experienced a stark contrast in acceptance working internationally for UEFA compared to Sweden. "There has been a completely different acceptance; my work has been valued for my knowledge," Nur explained. "I have always had to prove myself in Sweden, even after interviewing big profiles. I don't know what it takes for me to get a foot in the door at a Swedish editorial office. That says something about how homogeneous the industry still is."

Despite facing comments like needing to "climb a little higher on the ladder before you get to play on our team," Nur remains confident in her passion and knowledge. "I am aware of the passion, knowledge, and drive I possess. But the right people eventually see it, and I have received recognition abroad," she said.

“

Jag fick kommentarer som ”du behöver klättra lite högre upp på stegen innan du får spela i vårt lag”. Men jag har aldrig varit i behov av någon bekräftelse. Jag är medveten om vilken passion, kunskap och driv jag besitter. Men rätt personer ser en till slut, och erkännandet har jag fått utomlands.