KONYA, August 8, 2022 – AIPS delegation headed by Europe continental section President Charles Camenzuli met with the Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu on the sidelines of Konya 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games held in the city of Konya, Turkey from 9-18 of August.

The AIPS delegation headed by AIPS Europe president and AIPS Vice President Charles Camenzuli, AIPS Europe Treasurer Murat Agca and AIPS Media Journalist Nadine Alsheikh Hassan visited the Minister at his office in Konya, Mr Camenzuli introduced the Minister to AIPS history starting from 1924, the vision and message of the Association, the number of affiliated member countries, the AIPS educational programs and AIPS Sport Media Awards, stressing on the keen interest of AIPS in investing in Young Reporters to develop an excellent generation of journalists.

The Minister welcomed the AIPS delegation with an appreciation for all the initiatives taken by AIPS and its continental sections in developing the professional community of sports journalism and defending the rights of journalists, in addition to taking an active part in Konya 2021 Games, Minister Mehmet said: “We worked really hard on making these Games happen, and I am happy with the results we have made so far, and satisfied with the new infrastructure which will be useful for Konya in hosting future European and international competitions”.



Mr Camenzuli on behalf of AIPS Media presented to the Minister an AIPS Sport Media Awards crystal trophy in recognition of the support given to the international sports media present in Konya and to the support of the Turkish Sports Journalists Association.

Minister Mehmet Kasapoğlu had a leading role in supporting and facilitating the candidature of Konya city as host of the Islamic Solidarity Games, in addition to investing a budget of 300 million USD in the infrastructure to prepare Konya city to host the Games.

The Minister also had an active role in the latest ISSF General Assembly in its 11th edition held yesterday in Konya as he said: "I believe that what we have done for the unity, friendship and brotherhood of the Islamic world, together with the Islamic Solidarity Games based on the unified power of sports, will set an example for the whole world and will establish the grounds for a strong peace and friendship for future generations."