South Africa | Yoshini Perumal, The Post
Roshni Gajjar has made history as the first South African woman to join a global research team, fighting the online abuse of athletes and sports officials.
Gajjar, of Port Elizabeth, who has extensive expertise in motorsport, was one of four women in the world chosen by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of world motorsport, to receive a prestigious Global Research Scholarship, in support of the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign.
This month, she joins Ana Rodriguez Armendariz of Mexico, Kimberley Wyllie of Scotland and Maria Luliano of Italy to roll out research programmes at the Dublin City University over two years, with full funding from the FIA Foundation.
Through improving the understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, they hope to drive behavioural and regulatory change to combat abuse in the world of sport and e-sport.
The UAOA campaign was launched when last year, FIA president and founding partner of UAOA Mohammed Ben Sulayem came out strongly against the unacceptable levels of online abuse which he said was creating a blight on sport.
He said the level of sustained toxicity had reached a crisis point and it was time to take a stand.
Gajjar said she was proud to be a part of the diverse scholarship group to fight abuse of athletes globally.
“Online abuse deters people from participating, as it infringes on their human rights and compromises the psychological safety of victims, especially women and young people who are avid social media users.
“Athletes, officials and volunteers will leave the sport if nothing is done to protect them. Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global move to combat online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference,” she said.
Gajjar said the victims of online abuse were mainly elite, young and female athletes.
“Online abuse can be triggered by good or bad performance. In sport, there is always a winner and a loser. But sport is driven by loyalty, passion and emotion. Athletes are giving their 100% to every game, but are lambasted on social media when things don’t turn out the way a supporter wants it to.
“When it becomes a trend on social media, it starts harming their mental health. One has no control of engagement online. Most people remain anonymous, so it’s hard to tell where it stems from. As spectators and lovers of sport, everyone has an opinion. Sport also fuels national pride and is impacted by cultural and language differences,” Gajjar said.
She added that online abuse affected every type of sport. Whether an athlete was at an elite or rising star level, if they felt victimised and intimidated, it was hard for them to perform at their best as abuse impacted their confidence.
“Athletes are less likely to compete or participate after they are victims of online abuse. A survey done by FIA indicated that 90% of athletes said that if nothing is done about online abuse, they would consider leaving the sport. When it starts impacting the safety and security of the athlete and their families, it becomes quite serious.
“Sporting federations do not put these issues into the spotlight because it is already sensitive. But authorities play a part in the process to mitigate the situation.
“Hence, it is very critical that we need to understand what is the prevalence, what causes it, what are the triggers and the level of abuse. Flaming, where someone threatens or sends an abusive or rude message to an identified target, is also becoming very prevalent,” she said.
Adrian Scholtz, the MotorSport South Africa’s chief executive, said Gajjar’s selection would add a South African perspective to the FIA’s UAOA global initiative.
“We are also highly supportive that the FIA has selected four women. It is commendable that they initiated the research to develop evidence-based information to steer online abuse combat strategies. Online abuse goes against the spirit of fair play and has no place in sport,” Scholtz added.
Gajjar is a strategy consultant and chartered accountant by profession, and the executive director of Future Ones, a non-profit company providing science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) educational programmes for motorsport in schools in South Africa.
Her work has been largely in motorsport, media, reporting on the F1 and promoting F1 in schools through a fun and educational Stem programme.
As I type, I am grappling with the unintended ripples of a recent delicate, in-person conversation with an acquaintance. I shared a suggestion that was intended to encourage but instead, was received as being condescending, evoking some anger and hurt. On reflection, perhaps an empathetic listening ear was all the person needed that day. So often we express a perspective, without being fully aware of where someone is at on the textured spectrum of immunity and vulnerability.
Had this been an online conversation, the flow of human chemistry and rapport would have been detached from the start. Yet social media platforms are the new public square that connect billions of users who are geographically spread and socially diverse. Everyone has a voice to exercise freedom of speech online, from leaders, influencers and brands to the unidentified sensation seeker, even if what gets posted undermines or infringes someone else’s human rights. There are no norms and very few filters - insults and hostile messages flow freely, leading to the misuse of social media to spread violent messages and aggressive comments, using offensive language and hurtling hateful speech towards people and groups who represent “the other”. Consistent content moderation is a challenge, but not an excuse.
Social media companies are not playing ball to limit the damage, electing to prioritise profits above people. In 2021, the Facebook Files exposed the lack of online safety controls that placed peoples’ lives and young users’ mental health at risk, with mention of vulnerable communities in Africa. Research reveals that 80% of European Union (EU) citizens have encountered hate speech online, discouraging engagement. Regulators and social media platform owners are at loggerheads. Legislators in the EU and UK are norming. Guidelines and legislation in South Africa are forming. Meanwhile boardroom leaders are staying in their own lanes, fast-tracking digitalisation.
Online abuse in sport is on the rise, with many athletes, employees and volunteers being pinged with threatening, abusive or rude social media messages, termed “flaming”. Healthy competition and victorious results can unite and inspire like the Boks have done for SA. On the opposite end, fanatical rivalry and defeat can over-heat to hate, with or without socio-political undertones. Elite athletes are prime targets of online abuse, irrespective of good or bad performance. The see-saw of applause and abuse gets usurped by online trolls, mostly using anonymous profiles to side-step accountability. The bottom-line is that athletes will leave the sport and fans will lose interest if nothing is done.
Survey trends indicate that more than 40% of professional English football players have experienced abuse on X and 20% of players in the 2023 Women’s World Cup reported social media abuse. The Mbonambi/Curry racial allegation incident proved that language diversity adds complexity, with World Rugby expressing its concern at the level of online abuse directed at both players. Tennis and cricket players too are calling out the online onslaughts they receive from fans. Cyber bullying is rife in e-sports and online gaming, while a criminal element in legalised online sports betting has compelled FBI intervention to protect the lives of targeted US college football players. At the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One's online reach is growing at speed but with a downside drag. The 2022 "Drive It Out" video campaign called for greater respect to protect driver safety and well-being, following online attacks against seven times World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and former Williams driver, Nicholas Latifi. President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, reached a point of zero tolerance after female race steward, Silvia Bellot, received numerous online death threats in reaction to her controversial post-race penalty decision. The red flags are up and yes, sports leaders are on guard.
Online toxicity in sport has reached a crisis point and international sports federation administrators are at a pivotal choice point. Online abuse and online hate, in the form of racism, misogyny, sectarianism, bullying and other, dampen the spirit of fair play and must be eradicated urgently to sustain prosperity in sport. Elite athletes and experienced employees represent high-value human capital - constant exposure to online attacks threatens psychological safety, a building block for high performance cultures. Weak governance of online abuse will dilute stakeholder confidence, compromising the overall value proposition in sport. The game is on to prevent this.
Spearheaded by the FIA, the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) is a global, multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at steering the way forward to tackle all forms of online hate speech in sport, in consultation with governments and NGO’s. With a privileged seat on the UAOA research panel, I aim to make a positive difference through generation of evidence-based research that informs responsible and efficacious combat strategies. In parallel, to engage with national sports federation leaders and affected athletes in South Africa, and interested counterparts in the southern hemisphere, to discuss, understand and raise an awareness on this topic. The FIA and Motorsport South Africa have pledged their green light of support. For shared success, the circle of committed collaborators will need to get bigger so that sport continues to, as Madiba said, “…unite people in a way that little else does”.
Circling back to my earlier reflections, I was reminded that human connections are inherently fragile in a turbulent world, requiring mindful calibration, conversation-by-conversation, chat-by-chat, post-by-post. In person or online, say it with human kindness.
Roshni Gajjar is the Founder and Managing Director of StratAstute Consulting specialising in strategy consulting, resilient success coaching and a director of Future Ones NPC which promotes educational STEM programmes fit for motorsport and allied industries.
FIA Media, Paris | #UnitedAgainstOnlineAbuse
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
The four scholars will carry out Master’s by Research at Dublin City University with full funding from the FIA Foundation. Their work will help to improve understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, providing a strong basis for the UAOA coalition’s ongoing efforts to drive behavioural and regulatory change.
The new scholars are established researchers within their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAOA Research Centre.
Ana Rodríguez Armendariz (Mexico) is a Deputy CMO at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix. She has completed clinical placements at Hospital Zambrano Hellion, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and TecSalud Zambrano Hellion Hospital.
She said: “This opportunity has deepened my appreciation for our sport's pioneers and their legacy of integrity and excellence. This scholarship allows me to further evolve our sport, particularly in combating online hate speech and fostering an inclusive, enlightened community. Our collective efforts are shaping a transformative legacy beyond the field.”
Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland) joins the programme following Psychology Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt University. She currently works as a Managing Editor of the Women in a Man’s Race Magazine and actively participates in the UK Girls on Track programme.
She said: “This opportunity from the FIA and DCU is something I genuinely didn't think I'd be able to participate in. It was one of the things I read about, thought I'd pop in an application anyways, but ultimately thought that there would be someone better out there. It's helped my confidence hugely and shown me that it's amazing what a little bit of self-belief can do. I can't wait to get started and join the United Against Online Abuse family. The only limit is yourself.”
Roshni Gajjar (South Africa) is the Founder and Managing Director of StratAstute, a consulting firm based in South Africa, and Future Ones, a company providing STEM educational programmes for motorsport and allied industries. She has also served in various strategy and stakeholder-focussed roles in the financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, sports, and higher education sectors.
Roshni said: “Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
Maria Iuliano (Italy) works as a press officer at Italian motor sport governing body, ACI Sport SpA.
She said: “Enrolling in the Master’s by Research programme at DCU Business School will enable me to thoroughly investigate online abuse, and I hope to make a significant impact with my work. This is crucial because, through research, we can contribute positively to sports, making it fairer and more inclusive for everyone while continuing to tackle discrimination.”
FIA President, and Founding Patron of UAOA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “I am delighted to welcome our diverse scholarship group. United Against Online Abuse is a knowledge-led campaign, which puts research and insights at the heart of all its activities. Our scholars’ research will be key in helping us build a strong knowledge base in this historically under-researched area.”
The UAOA Research Centre is partnered with the FIA University programme which promotes knowledge and research sharing across the international FIA network. The Research Centre is committed to driving inclusive global scholarships, which upskill researchers from around the world, particularly those outside the EU.
Principal Investigator for UAOA, Professor David Hassan, said: “I would like to congratulate Kimberley, Ana, Roshni, and Maria for this exceptional achievement. We are looking forward to working with them, and learning from their unique perspectives, knowledge, and experience on the topic.”
Professor Theo Lynn, Associate Dean of Research at DCU Business School, said: “These new scholarships will explore the nature of online abuse in sports and the efficacy of different measures to combat such abuse. By working with the FIA as part of their Global Coalition Against Online Abuse in Sports and fostering a new generation of International researchers working in sports, we aim to contribute to fostering an environment where respect and camaraderie prevail over vitriol and division."
The scholars will begin their studies this month.
For any further media queries, please contact: aridsdillsmith@fia.com
For UAOA queries, please contact: ebourke-consultant@fia.com
by Motorsport South Africa | Feb 27, 2024 | 
In another proud moment for South African motorsport, Roshni Gajjar from Gqeberha, has been announced as one of the first four recipients of the prestigious Global Research Scholarship, awarded by the FIA in support of its United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign.
The four scholars selected will carry out Masters by Research Programmes at Dublin College University with full funding from the FIA Foundation. Their work will help to improve understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, providing a strong basis for the UAOA coalition’s ongoing efforts to drive behavioural and regulatory change.
Gajjar will join Ana Rodriguez Armendariz (Mexico), a Deputy CMO at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix; Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland), managing editor of the Women in a Man’s Race Magazine and active participant in the UK Girls on Track programme and Maria Luliano (Italy) who works as a press officer at Italian motor sport governing body, ACI Sport SpA.
All four are established researchers within their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAOA Research Centre.
FIA President and Founding Partner of UAOA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, came out strongly last year against the unacceptable levels of online abuse which are creating a blight on the sport. He believes the level of sustained toxicity has reached crisis point and it is time to take a stand. “I am delighted to welcome our diverse scholarship group. United Against Online Abuse is a knowledge-led campaign, which puts research and insights at the heart of all its activities. Our scholars’ research will be key in helping us build a strong knowledge base in this historically under-researched area,” he says.
The UAOA Research Centre is partnered with the FIA University programme which promotes knowledge and research sharing across the international FIA network. The Research Centre is committed to driving inclusive global scholarships, which upskills researchers from around the world, particularly those outside the EU.
Principal Investigator for UAOA, Professor David Hassan, says, “I would like to congratulate Kimberly, Ana, Roshni, and Maria for this exceptional achievement. We are looking forward to working with them, and learning from their unique perspectives, knowledge, and experience on the topic.”
Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is one of 243 Member Clubs. MSA Chairman and FIA Senate member, Anton Roux praised Gajjar on the work she has already done in the industry and the potential contribution her research offers to mitigate online abuse. He said she had the full support of MSA. “Marshals and officials of the sport need to be applauded rather than subjected to any kind of hate speech on social channels so this initiative is to be applauded. The research will enable us to build a greater understanding of the psychological effects of online abuse and inform our strategic approach to tackling the problem in future and protecting participants from this kind of abuse.”
The research will be conducted over two years, commencing this month, through the Dublin City University Business School. The scholarship recipients aim to achieve a Masters by Research (MPhil) on successful completion.
Gajjar, a chartered accountant and strategy consultant, is a strong proponent of positive, purpose-driven success and integrates her philosophy of “Lift as we Rise” into her consulting and performance coaching work which supports STEM career development in motorsport. This closely aligns with MSA’s related objectives.
Commenting on the scholarships, she says she is honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award and feels extremely privileged to be part of this game-changing research initiative.
“Online abuse deters people from participating, as it infringes on their human rights and compromises the psychological safety of victims, especially women and young people who are avid social media users. Athletes, officials and volunteers will leave if nothing is done. Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global move to combat online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference,” she says.
Adrian Scholtz, MSA Chief Executive Officer, says Gajjar’s selection will add a South African perspective to the FIA’s UAOA global initiative. “We are also highly supportive that the FIA has selected four women. It is commendable that the FIA has initiated this research to develop evidence-based information to steer online abuse combat strategies. Online abuse goes against the spirit of fair play and has no place in sport.”
Some fast facts:
• It is not just athletes that receive abuse. Fans, coaches, commentators, journalists, referees, sporting administrators, among other stakeholders, also regularly receive online abuse as a result of their involvement in the
sporting context
• Ethnic minorities are far more likely to be targeted by, and exposed to, online abuse
• Appearance is the leading cause of online abuse for teenagers and females, being responsible for 38% of such incidents
• About 28% of children around the world have experienced cyberbullying that is racially motivated
• In the 2019/2020 Premier League season, the Professional Footballers Association found that 43% of EPL players had ‘experienced targeted and explicitly racist abuse on public Twitter’
• During the 2022 World Championships, female athletes received 60% of all
online abuse via Twitter and Instagram
• 19,636 posts confirmed as abusive, discriminatory or threatening have been
reported to platforms during FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022
• The ‘United Against Online Abuse’ campaign (UAOA), pioneered by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is a research-led coalition aiming to tackle the growing epidemic of online abuse and hate speech in sport.
Prepared on behalf of MSA by Cathy Findlay PR
