Doha: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday opened the 79th International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Congress at Sheraton Doha.
The four-day event is being held under the organisation of the Sport Media Committee with the participation of international and local sport organisations. Sheikhs, ministers and state guests attended the opening ceremony.
Sheikh Faisal bin Ahmed Al Thani, Chairman of the committee, expressed pleasure and pride to host the participants in Qatar and thanked them for choosing Doha as the host venue for the event.
He told the congress that media has become stronger and won respect and recognition of the whole world, and is winning a war for humanity, dignity and the rights of the defenceless.
AIPS President Gianni Merlo thanked Qatar for hosting the conference, stressing the importance of sharing means of preserving sport behaviour, principles and credibility, defending values of sport and fighting corruption.
A documentary under the theme of clash of civilisations between the East and the West was screened during the opening ceremony and called for integration among civilisations through sport.
Syrian refugee and Getafe coach Osama Abdul Mohsen was also present and welcomed by the audience. QNA
