Manama, Nov.1 (BNA): Bahrain reiterated its support to the activities and programmes of continental and international sport press federations. Information, Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi expressed the stance as he received International Sports Press Association (ISPA) President Gianni Merlo, Secretary-General Evelyn Watta and Asian Sports Press Association (AIPS) Vice President Faisal Al-Qinai.

Members of international and continental executive committees and Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) Sport Committee Chairman Mohammed Qassim were also present. This was on the sidelines of the AIPS Executive Committee meeting, which opened on October 28 and will close tomorrow (November2).

The minister stressed the importance of such activities and programmes in fostering sport media ethics, honing the skills of press, technical and administrative staff on the basis of objectivity, probity and credibility. He welcomed the continental and international sport press officials in Bahrain, wishing them success to bolster ties bonding regional and international sport associations and federations and foster lofty values.

He hailed the spirit of cooperation and coordination between regional and international sport press federations on the basis of mutual respect between all members, beyond any discrimination. The international and Asian officials expressed thanks to the minister for his warm welcome, hailing his stance in support of their sport media activities and functions. They commended the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting these international and continental events, which would consolidate its standing on the world sport and media map.

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BNA 1900 GMT 2015/11/01