Senegal’s Sports Minister Opens AIPS Africa Congress
The Minister of Sports of Senegal Nbagnick Ndiaye, on Wednesday 19th March 2014 officially declared open the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Africa Congress at the conference room of the Jardins Savana Hotel in Dakar, Senegal. (Photo: l-r (front) Mitchell Obi, Lamine Diack, Minister Nbagnick Ndiaye & Gianni Merlo) (Photo Credit: Mohamed Fajah Barrie)
In his brief but thrilling speech prior to declaring the congress open, Minister Nbagnick Ndiaye said that the Senegalese Government recognizes sports as not only a unifying entity but, a factor that can help develop the economy of a country.
He recalled how children would glue to television sets watching all kinds of sports, and youths mobilize to support their different athletes, teams and country-a feat he said brings about economic development not only for organizers but businesses which eventually transforms to economic growth.
“Therefore, on behalf of the people of Senegal it gives me the greatest pleasure to declare this congress open and wish the AIPS Africa the best in all your deliberations,” Minister Nbagnick Ndiaye said.
In his contribution, the President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS-global) Gianni M. Merlo said African journalism like anywhere in the continent is faced with a big challenge, which is the New Media.
“We should not be ashamed but to work and study hard to face this new challenge,” said Merlo.
He said that one way to face the challenge posed by the New Media was to build journalism schools in both French and English speaking Africa.
“By doing so, we are training upcoming journalists (sports) to maintain the traditional way of reporting and telling stories in a more professional manner as opposed to the New Media,” Gianni M. Merlo said.
He said the role of the sports journalist should not only be to criticize sports associations but rather, to proffer suggestions and solutions that would help develop the associations.
AIPS Africa president the Nigerian-born Mitchell Obi said the number of delegates attending this year’s congress is the largest ever which according to him clearly manifests the desire of the African sports journalists to take their rightful position in global sports.
He also said that the 2014 AIPS Africa Congress was historic as it coincides with the 90th anniversary of AIPS Global.\
AIPS Africa Congress in progress
“This large turnout means Africa is gradually awakening from its slumber in global sports as we are determine to work hard to match our colleagues in the other continents,” Mitchell obi said.
He encouraged delegates to approach the conference with an open mind and draw up resolutions that would see Africa move forward in the world of sports journalism.
The President of world’s Athletics governing body, IAAF Lamine Diack who was one of the dignitaries present at the opening ceremony, thanked the AIPS for the support it continues to give to his federation.
He said it was a golden opportunity to partner with the sports body, and pledged his federation’s continuous support in terms of accreditation and training prospects.
Noticeably absent was the ANOCA President Lasanna Palenfo, whose statement was read by a representative.
Sierra Leone is being represented in the congress by the country’s Sports Writers Association (SWASAL) President Mohamed Fajah Barrie and Secretary General Frank Cole.
The congress ends on Friday 21st March, 2014.
Credit: SWASAL; Sponsor: Mercury Int.’l (SL) Limited.
By Frank Cole in Dakar, Senegal
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