By Sally Jeng SJAG member
The President of the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia Musa Sise is the new Secretary General of AIPS Africa. He was elected unopposed on the final day of the AIPS Africa Congress held at Hotel FLEUR DE LYS in the Senegalese capital Dakar.
Sise succeeds William Ezah of Ghana who opted to withdraw his re-election bid on day three of the regional congress, thus paving the way for the SJAG president to become the new Secretary General of the continental body of African sports press associations. Delegates from across the African continent gathered in Dakar from the 23rd- 26th February 2023 to elect a new executive that steer the affais of the AIPS Africa for upcoming years.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his election Musa praised members of the Gambian Sports Press for their work to get to where they are today.
“It feels great, it feels fulfilling, this is from the hard work we’ve been doing back home in the Gambia as SJAG, every one who knows SJAG will agree that we are the most vibrant affiliate of the Gambia Press Union.” said Sise.
He however acknowledged that the task ahead is huge, but was quick to note that the trust from the delegates will be an inspiration to deliver beyond expectations.
Sise’s Senegalese Counterpart Abdoulaye Thiam was elected unopposed as president of AIPS Africa. He takes over for OBI Mitchell of Nigeria who served two terms spanning over a peridof 10 years.
The new AIPS Africa president Thiam says his executive will priorities the inclusion of women sports journalists at all levels.
“ we want a untied AIPS to move our agenda, we need two co-opted executive members and one most be a women. We will also set up a women’s and an ethnic committee to include women in every activity that we will be doing” Thiam a strong advocate of gender equality said in his acceptance speech.
The Dakar Congress also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Senegalese sports press, ANPS and a mega awards night to recognize outstanding Senegalese athletes
Women In AIPS Africa Leadership
Liliane Nshimirimana, of Brundi was also elected Treasurer of the continental body, making her the first woman to hold the position.
Other female elected members include
Ms Bertille Missi Bikoun from Cameroom as vice president, and Kadiatou Traoré of Guinea as executive member.
This is the first time a Gambian is elected to serve in the AIPS African executive committee.
List of Executive Committee members President:Abdoulaye Thiam – Senegal, 1st Vice President:Morad Moutaouakkil – Marocco, Vice-Presidents:Chris Mbaisi – Kenya, Ms Bertille Missi Bikoun – Cameroon, Oumar Baba Traoré – MaliNazim Bessol – Algeria, General Secretary Musa Sise, Treasurer Liliane Nshimirimana, Members:Jerôme Tiendrebeogo – Burkina FasoKodjo Avuletey – Togo, Fridolin Wambobo Kpengoulagna – Central African Republic, Kadiatou Traoré – Guinea
