The Malta Sports Journalists Association attended the Annual Congress of AIPS – the International Sports Press Association.

The 81st Congress which was held in Brussels between the 8th – 9th May, included several interesting items related to the Sports Media. Some of the subjects that were discussed included the Digital Media era leading to the ongoing trend of information being disseminated through social media. The Congress approved the ongoing reforms within the AIPS Commissions and the way forward for the AIPS Young Reporters Programmes.

The delegates gathered from all around the World had the opportunity to learn more about the two bids to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup presented by the Morocco Football Federation and by #United26 a joint bid put forward by the Football Associations of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Several other presentations were delivered by the Special Olympics Movement, the Olympic Channel and FIFA the latter sending over its Head of Referees ex Swiss Referee Massimo Busacca to explain the advantages of the VAR technology.

Malta was represented in the 81st AIPS Congress in Brussels by Malta Sports Journalists Association President Sandro Micallef and Organizational Secretary Antvin Monseigneur.

Charles Camenzuli Vice President of AIPS and President of AIPS Europe also participated in the Congress where he attended the AIPS Executive Committee and presided over the General Assembly and the Executive Committee meeting of the European section of AIPS.

The Congress in Brussels came to its end with the traditional closing speech of AIPS President Gianni Merlo.