By: AIPS ASIA

Kathmandu, Nepal. September 13,2024:Sports journalists from 22 Asian countries gathered to discuss the future of sports in Asia and how sports journalism can contribute to its development. The discussion took place during the 25th AIPS-ASIA Congress, hosted by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) in Kathmandu , and was inaugurated by Minister for Youth and Sports, Teju Lal Chaudhary.

AIPS-ASIA is the Asian division of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), the global organization representing sports journalists. Delegates from 22 of the 30 member countries of AIPS-ASIA, along with representatives from AIPS-Europe, attended the Congress. The Congress addressed several internal issues and explored challenges and solutions to enhance Asia’s performance in sports.

In a panel discussion featuring female sports journalists alongside Nepal’s first Paralympic medalist, Palesha Goverdhan, the panelists raised concerns about the role of women in sports and the challenges they face in covering sports events. Additionally, the NSJF facilitated several agreements between Asian sports journalists and Nepali stakeholders during the event.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between AIPS-ASIA, NSJF, and the Centre for Media Research (CMR) Nepal. The MoU, signed by AIPS-ASIA President Hee Don Jung, NSJF President Durga Nath Subedi, and CMR Director Ujjwal Acharya, outlines that CMR will provide fully funded sports journalism development courses to NSJF members, along with partial scholarships for AIPS members.

Similarly, MoUs were signed between AIPS-ASIA and the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) to promote e-sports in Asia. These were signed by Jung and AESF Vice President Lokesh Suji.

Another MoU was signed between AIPS-ASIA and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), with HAN committing to offering discounted accommodations for AIPS members visiting Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board also promoted Nepal’s culture and natural beauty to the international delegates. “Asian countries are still behind Europe in sports. We need to develop our sports sector and make our athletes more competitive against Europeans,” said Ahmed Khawari Mohd Isa, Vice President of AIPS-ASIA.

AIPS-ASIA President Jung thanked the NSJF for organizing a memorable Congress and reaffirmed AIPS-ASIA’s commitment to the development of sports in Asia. Nepal’s Sports Minister Chaudhary also praised the NSJF for hosting one of the largest events in the region and for bringing sports journalists from across Asia together under one roof.