Damascus, SANA- Mr. Gianni Merlo, President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), affirmed that Syrian journalists are facing a pivotal mission today: the relaunch of sports in the country. He affirmed that they have the capability to accomplish this task with efficiency and responsibility.
In a statement published on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Merlo stated that Syrian journalists are at the forefront of work within the International Sports Press Association, particularly in initiatives aimed at empowering young journalists, supporting athletes, and strengthening the role of sports in communities.
He lauded his frequent meetings with Syrian media professionals at the association’s conferences, highlighting their constructive cooperation and active contributions to building a strong international association capable of delivering positive messages to the world of sports.
Merlo noted that Syria, as a cradle of ancient civilization on historical, sporting, and social levels, has always been fertile ground for understanding and joint work. This has facilitated finding advanced solutions with Syrian colleagues to elevate the cultural and professional level of sports journalism.
Merlo explained that sports play a significant role in enhancing social cohesion within the Arab world and contribute to educating young generations on noble values.
He pointed out that Arab sports journalism, like in other parts of the world, has the ability to build bridges of communication between peoples and to revive relationships even in the most difficult stages, because sports unite, they don’t divide.
The AIPS President concluded his statement by saying: “It will be a pleasure for me to visit Syria soon and work with colleagues there to study new ways to positively develop our profession, a profession we believe in as an effective tool for building a better, more connected, and more humane future.”
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
