“Remembering our roots, fortifying our future”: New issue of AIPS magazine now online ahead of Centenary Congress in Spain

In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of AIPS, it was only befitting that the first issue of the AIPS Magazine pays homage to the roots of this great association that has stood the test of time and has over the years gained more relevance.

 

The I/24 issue of the AIPS Magazine is now online and available for download. This edition also recognises the eight most influential women in the history of the association and bids farewell to the 7th AIPS President Togay Bayatli from Turkey, who died on April 2.

BACK TO THE ROOTS The cover story takes us down memory lane to where it all began; a boxing ring at the Sporting Club de France, which to this day remains a symbol of the association’s constant fight against challenges threatening the integrity of sports journalism. It was in 1920 that French Frantz Reichel, who would become the first President of AIPS, suggested the idea of creating an international association for sports journalists in 1920 to Belgian Victor Boin, who would become the second President, but it was not until July 2, 1924, few days before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Paris, that this dream became a reality. Italian Gianni Merlo is the eighth President of the AIPS. He took over from Turkish Togay Bayatli in 2005.

 

TOGAY BAYATLI AIPS President from 1993 to 2005, Togay Bayatli passed away this month at the age of 85. In his tribute to his predecessor, Merlo wrote: “I recall that Togay Bayatli introduced me to the international world of AIPS when in 1990 he wanted me to enter in the Executive Committee of UEPS, the European continental section of AIPS, now called AIPS Europe. That I am now President of AIPS is also thanks to the fact that he has seen at that time the possibility that I could become an active member of our family. He did a lot to save the association in a difficult period and has left an important heritage. For this reason I want all AIPS members to recognise his positive action in the period in which he was involved in the Executive Committee of AIPS. He will surely be remembered by all of us because he is part of our history.”

 

EIGHT INCREDIBLE WOMEN To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, AIPS celebrates eight powerful women in its 100-year history, starting from the woman who sat in on the first Executive Committee meeting of the AIPS in 1924. Others are: Pat Besford, Mari Carmen Izquierdo, He Huixan, Laima Janusonyte-Steinhoff, Evelyn Watta, Roslyn Morris and Zsuzsa Csisztu. While the woman in the boxing ring may not have even been considered a member of the association, her presence has gained significance over the years. And although sports journalism is still predominantly male-dominated, several women have made and are still making their marks in the leadership of AIPS, its continental sections and member associations.

 

CENTENARY CONGRESS Santa Susanna, Spain, is set to host the momentous AIPS Centenary Congress from April 28 to May 2. The rich programme for the three-day event includes the AIPS centenary celebration and AIPS Sport Media Awards gala, intense panel discussions and debates on issues concerning sports and sports journalism - with a strong focus on building a better future, as well as presentations by AIPS partners. Meanwhile, the San Marino Post Office, in collaboration with the San Marino Sports Press Association, launched a commemorative postage stamp in March in honour of the rich history of AIPS.

 

AIPS SPORT MEDIA AWARDS The sixth edition of the AIPS Sport Media Awards is expected to finish on a high note at the gala scheduled for April 29 in Santa Susanna, Spain. No other prize can claim to have such a competitive selection, with five voting stages, in-person meetings in China and Italy, and jurors of the five continents involved in the selection. The podium nominees have been unveiled and the finalists can also be found in the latest AIPS Magazine.

Many more stories can be found inside the AIPS magazine thanks to contributions from our National Associations, Commissions and Continental Sections.

The latest edition of the AIPS Magazine is available online.

 

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 Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam - AIPS Media / Graphics by Nordcap Studio