By Abdoulie Bah, Secretary
General Sports Journalists Association, Gambia
DAKAR, February 2013 - For the first time, in its 78-year
history AIPS, International Sports Press Association, (AIPS), delegates from
its African branch AIPS Africa received a presidential welcome and
honour right in the city of black consciousness.
After a brief opening ceremony
attended by top Senegalese government representatives for the delegates from 15
African countries for the extra-ordinary AIPS Africa congress, the journalists
were guests at the presidential palace.
After taking turns to greet the
effervescent Senegalese head of state President Macky Sall came the big moment when he
decorated AIPS president with a knight of the order of merit (Chavalier d’ed
Merit) a rare distinction for a leader who interestingly was voted as President
across the border in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Gianni Merlo was quick to tell the
president this is an honor for sports journalists’ world over and with it Senegal
has shown the power of sport.
Preceding the meeting at the
Palace, Sheikh Ababakarr Gaye, representative of the minister of communication
said the government of Senegal
was proud to be hosting the meeting. He praised the local press grouping ANPS
as he catalogued the numerous achievements of the Association Nationale de la
Presse Sportive du Senegal. “ Sports should be the vanguard in the fight
against match fixing and other problems facing sport” as the buttressed on the
AIPS President’s points, before officially declaring the meeting open on behalf
of the minister “ I wish you all a successful meeting here and hope that the
outcome would revamp AIPS Africa” Gaye concluded. The Permanent Secretary in
the ministry of Sport Tannor Nying made similar comments.
Masimiliano Montanari of the
International center for Sport Security, ICSS presented to delegates an
introduction of the work of the Doha
based firm in countering terrorism and boosting security in sport, reminding
journalists about their critical role in combating dangers to the future of
sport. Montanari cited countries and regions where former child soldiers and
other war ravaged communities benefitted from sport. He also spoke about
organized crimes and related issues that pose serious threat to sports security
saying action should be taken against that and others problem such as match
fixing.
Gianni Merlo who in his opening
remarks to the forum complimented the efforts of the host nation in bringing
together the African delegates. He addressed some of the outstanding issues
engulfing the sport media including the big threats of match fixing and illegal
betting. “We must be very strong in fighting these issues, and we should have
knowledge about it and we need to show a lot of quality to fight it” Merlo said.
The AIPS
boss also stressed on the importance of developing the new generation of sports
journalists in the continent urging AIPS-Africa to explore possibilities of
creating opportunities for the younger colleagues whom he said will have a
critical role in the future of the AIPS. Two Young Reporters from Senegal
Rouguia Niane and Diacounda Sene benefitted from the AIPS Young Reporters
Programme he pointed out and said the project will continue.
The extraordinary Congress of AIPS held in Dakar
on 21-22 February 2013 has confirmed the holding of AIPS Africa Executive
Committee elections at Sochi during the 76th
annual AIPS Congress in Sochi
(15-19 April 2013).
In this perspective, members who intend to run for positions in the AIPS Africa Executive Committee have been informed that candidatures must be sent to the interim secretariat until 4 March 2013 at midnight, as the association’s regulations stipulate that candidatures must be submitted to the Board six (6) weeks before the Congress.
The Dakar's extraordinary congress has adopted following electoral procedures to be observed regarding Sochi elections:
1. Candidatures are submitted by national associations recognized by AIPS;
2. The electoral college is constituted by countries (regular AIPS members) represented in Congress (one country, one vote)
3. The election will be by list and the EC will be elected at simple majority
4. Positions opened are:
* President
* 1st Vice President
* 2nd Vice President
* Secretary General
* Deputy Secretary General
* Treasurer
* 6 others members
* Women committee President.
In this perspective, members who intend to run for positions in the AIPS Africa Executive Committee have been informed that candidatures must be sent to the interim secretariat until 4 March 2013 at midnight, as the association’s regulations stipulate that candidatures must be submitted to the Board six (6) weeks before the Congress.
The Dakar's extraordinary congress has adopted following electoral procedures to be observed regarding Sochi elections:
1. Candidatures are submitted by national associations recognized by AIPS;
2. The electoral college is constituted by countries (regular AIPS members) represented in Congress (one country, one vote)
3. The election will be by list and the EC will be elected at simple majority
4. Positions opened are:
* President
* 1st Vice President
* 2nd Vice President
* Secretary General
* Deputy Secretary General
* Treasurer
* 6 others members
* Women committee President.
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