Gqeberha woman earns global recognition for tackling online abuse in sports

In a significant achievement for South African motorsport, Roshni Gajjar has been named among the first four recipients of the esteemed Global Research Scholarship by the FIA, supporting its United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign.

These scholars, including Gajjar, will pursue their Masters in Research Programmes at Dublin College University, fully funded by the FIA Foundation. Their research aims to deepen the understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, forming the basis for impactful behavioral and regulatory changes.

Gajjar joins an esteemed group of cohorts – Ana Rodriguez Armendariz (Mexico), Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland), and Maria Luliano (Italy), contributing their expertise to the UAOA Research Centre.

The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, underscores the urgency of combating online abuse in sports, highlighting the critical role of research in driving change.

Fast facts:

Online abuse affects various stakeholders in sports, including athletes, coaches, referees, and fans.
Ethnic minorities and females are disproportionately targeted by online abuse.
Appearance is a leading cause of online abuse for teenagers and females.

The United Against Online Abuse campaign aims to combat the epidemic of online abuse in sports through research and advocacy efforts.

Source: Cathy Findley PR