The capital of Azerbaijan Baku hosted the 77th edition of the AIPS Congress between April 27 and May 1, 2014. Founded in 1924, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2014.

The President of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev officially opened the event on April 27, addressing the delegates and guests representing almost all the countries in the world. AIPS president Gianni Merlo said it was a great success for AIPS to celebrate its 90th anniversary and hold its 77th congress in Azerbaijan. At the congress, several prominent speakers presented the organisations and major sporting events, with the link and importance of professional and dedicated sports media.

University sport was also a topic at the congress, most notably with representation and speeches myde by rge representatives of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the Organisers of the 2015 Summer Universiade.

FISU was represented in Baku by FISU Secretary General Mr Eric Saintrond, Executive Committee member and Chair of the Media & Communication Committee Mrs Verena Burk and Press Officer Mr Christian Pierre. The Gwangju universiade was represented by Mr Kim Yoon-Suk, Secretary-General of the Organising Committee.

On April 29 Mrs Burk presented an overview of FISU’s activities in 2013, the successful Summer and Winter Universiades in Kazan and Trentino respectively. The FISU EC member also looked ahead of the upcoming events, the World University Championships for 2014 (29) and 2016 (33) as well as the Winter and Summer Universiade for 2015, 2017 and 2019. The delegates of the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju promoted the 28th edition of the Games and made a presentation the following day.

More information: www.aips2014.az and www.fisu.net