Gianni Merlo Re-elected AIPS President for Sixth Term

At the 88th Congress of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), held recently, Italian journalist Gianni Merlo was re-elected as president for a sixth term, securing 75% of the votes against Hungary's Zsuzsa Csisztu, following the withdrawal of South Korea's Hee Don Jung. A significant highlight of the congress was the election of Kenyan sports journalist Evelyn Watta as the first vice president, marking a historic moment as the first African to hold this position in AIPS history.

The congress also approved governance reforms aimed at strengthening accountability within the organization, including the introduction of term limits that cap executive committee positions at three terms and restrict individuals over 75 from contesting. The congress gathered representatives from 111 countries, including Mali, represented by journalists Oumar Baba Traor and Alou Badra Haidara.

Additionally, Ethiopia was confirmed as the host for the African World Congress in 2027, underscoring Africa's growing influence in global sports media governance.