The 25th Congress of AIPS Asia, the umbrella organization for sports journalists, has been grandly concluded in Kathmandu. Organized by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF), this important congress was held in Nepal for the first time. On September 12th, during the inaugural ceremony held at Everest Hotel in Kathmandu, Minister of Youth and Sports, Tejulal Chaudhary, lit the traditional oil lamp (panas) to inaugurate the congress. On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary stated that hosting such an international event in Nepal is a historic achievement. He expressed confidence that events like this will help further advance sports and journalism in Nepal.

Participation of Sports Journalists from 30 Countries

The 25th Congress saw the participation of sports journalists from 30 different countries. The event was attended by key figures including Member Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC), Tanka Lal Ghising, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President of NSJF, Durganath Subedi, as well as other officials, Olympians, and athletes. NSC Member Secretary Ghising, addressing the congress, expressed pride in hosting such a prestigious event in Nepal. He emphasized that discussing the evolving landscape of sports journalism in the digital era was highly inspirational.

Sports and Journalism: Challenges and Opportunities

In his speech, Tanka Lal Ghising highlighted that despite the challenges in sports journalism, Nepal’s athletes have made remarkable achievements on the global stage. He mentioned that sports play a crucial role in instilling discipline, pride in the nation, and inspiration among the youth. The addition of new dimensions in sports journalism and learning from the experiences of sports journalists worldwide are significant for Nepal's growth in this sector.

Asia’s Leadership and Women Empowerment Discussion

AIPS Asia President Hee Dong Jung discussed the contributions of Asian countries to the world of sports. He noted that the performance of Asian nations in recent Olympics has further strengthened Asia’s leadership in global sports. Furthermore, a special discussion on women empowerment was held among Paris Paralympics bronze medalist Palesha Goverdhan, sports journalist Shivani Thapa, and female journalists from India and China. This session highlighted the crucial role of women in sports and journalism.

Promotion of Nepal Tourism

The Nepal Tourism Board presented documentaries showcasing Nepal’s historical sites, tourist destinations, language, culture, mountains, and hills during the congress. In addition, a documentary on the growing global popularity of e-sports was also presented. The participating journalists were given an excellent opportunity to learn about Nepal's tourism potential.

Agreements and Collaborations

During the event, a special agreement was signed between AIPS Asia and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN). HAN President Binayak Shah and AIPS Asia President Hee Dong Jung signed the agreement. According to the agreement, AIPS Asia members visiting Nepal will receive a 10% discount on hotel accommodations. Additionally, AIPS Asia President Hee Dong Jung was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for Nepal.

Similarly, an agreement was signed between AIPS Asia and CMR Nepal for the training of sports journalists. The agreement was signed by CMR Nepal Director Ujjwal Acharya and AIPS Asia President Hee Dong Jung. According to the agreement, CMR Nepal will provide two slots for sports journalism training in every session. NSJF will benefit from these training opportunities under a partial scholarship arrangement.