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DAKAR,
March 19, 2014 - New strides in African Sports journalism received a
fitting boost Wednesday in Dakar in a high-level opening ceremony from the
host Sports Minister Mbagnick Ndiaye who highlighted AIPS Africa’s efforts to
give the association fresh impetus.
Returning
to Dakar for its second consecutive year in a congress which brought together
such distinguished administrators as IAAF President Lamine Diack, AIPS
president Gianni Merlo, NBA Africa Vice President Amadou Gallo Fall, Several
Sports Federations leaders and the hosting President Mitchell Obi, Ndiaye
noted that despite the tough economic times and lean resources AIPS managed
to put up a befitting congress that underlines its dynamism.
63
delegates from a record 23 countries attended the opening ceremony that took
place at the serene deluxe hotel Jardin Savana located along the coastline of
the Atlantic ocean.
A
remarkable day with the crème de la crème of sports stakeholders .
“Allow
me to congratulate you for your dynamism. Despite the weak means and daily
problems this association has managed to bring the congress back to Dakar.
We acknowledge your strides in giving the association new impetus. The
sports press plays an important role in information dissemination – be it the
media or the local and international federations. I would like to welcome you
warmly on behalf of the president of the republic who gave you an award last
year, which is a testament to how much the Senegalese people welcomes you,”
said Ndiaye.
In
his keynote speech the AIPS President Gianni Merlo highlighted the importance
of the media's fight for independence at a time when more and more
journalists are prone to corruption. He also gave a spirited speech on the
need to save sport and the profession for the youth.
“It
is a special occasion for me because it’s the first congress I have e
attended in our 90th anniversary, but we are now facing a new
challenge – the introduction of the so called new media. Sport is the biggest
industry in the world and we have to save sport as it gives hope to the young
generation of the world,” Merlo told a packed room of African delegates.
The
president of the host association ANPS Momodou Koume also addressed the
delegates as he hoped the congress would be a wakeup call. “It is my wish
that the 2014 congress will be the one that will reconcile and unite us all
so that we speak in the same voice”
Other
special guests to speak at the opening ceremony were IAAF president
Diack and the NBA Africa’s Vice President who gave a brief on
the work of the project which revolves around the development of
basketball in the region.
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