AIPS boss Gianni Merlo warns on corruption

"Ethics is our power. If we lose it, we will also be lost."

Those were the words of Gianni Merlo at the opening of the 79th AIPS Congress going on in Doha, Qatar on Monday.

The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) brings together national sports press associations from all over the world. Uganda was represented by the USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga, his vice Rita Aliguma and general secretary Patrick Kanyomozi. Ethiopian Airlines facilitated their travel.

Merlo, the AIPS president, was giving his opening remarks at the congress and decried corruption eating into the field of sports journalism.

He cited scandals rocking world soccer governing body, FIFA, and warned of repercussions to any AIPS members found to be involved in any corruption scandal.

"If any of our members is found to be involved in corruption or allow himself to be compromised, we shall have no other option than expelling them," Merlo warned.

The five day congress at Sheraton Hotel that has attracted over 200 delegates from 110 countries was officially opened by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani.  

On Tuesday, the delegates were taken around the Aspire Sports Academy and also toured the Qatar Foundation as they joined the locals to mark the national sports day which falls on every second Tuesday of February. It is a local holiday where everyone must participate in sports.

The delegates were also taken around the Al Khalifa Stadium, one of the eight to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Its completion is slated for 2019.

On Tuesday, AIPS and South Korea delegate Hee don Jong signed a memorandum of undertaking as South Korea committed to host the 80th congress in 2017.

The congress that also had continental sessions, ends Wednesday.