Senegal’s Abdoulaye Thiam makes history, replaces Nigeria's Mitchell Obi as AIPS Africa President

Abdoualye Thiam of Senegal has made history after he was elected as the new President of the International Sports Press Association, AIPS Africa.

Thiam becomes the first journalist from Senegal to take reigns of the association and will take over reigns from veteran Nigerian journalist Mitchell Obi, who opted not to run for re-election after ten years at the helms.

The Senegalese, who heads the National Sport Press Association of Senegal, was elected President on Saturday, February 25, the final day of the three day of the AIPS Africa congress in Dakar per AIPS media.

Morocco’s Morad Moutaouakkil, who stepped down from vying for the position of president, retained his first vice president seat unopposed following the withdrawal of Sudan’s Mufti Mohammed and Nazim Bessol of Algeria.

Bessol previously served as member but got elected in the second round of voting as one of the four vice presidents with a majority 10 votes.

With 16 votes, Chris Mbaisi of Kenya was the highest elected vice president, followed by Ms Bertille Missi Bikoun of Cameroon, who got 15 votes while Mali’s Oumar Baba Traoré had 10 votes.

Musa Sise from the Gambia will serve as AIPS Africa’s Secretary General. He was voted by acclamation after the withdrawal of the former SG William Ezah.

Mrs Liliane Nshimirinana from Burundi was the only candidate for the treasurer’s position. This is the first time in AIPS Africa that a woman will serve in this position.

Four new members were voted with Jerome Tiendrebeogo from Burkina Faso leading with 17 votes, Kodjo Avuletey of Togo received 14 votes, Fridolin Wambombo from Central Africa Republic got 12 votes and Ms Kadiatou Traoré from Guinea got 11 votes.

Speaking after his victory, Thiam, who becomes the first Senegalese to lead the continental body, noted that his administration wants to show a new way in Africa.

“As we agreed on the top positions, we want to show the way we are going to as a new team presenting Africa as a united continent with a will to move things forward,” Thiam said in the congress room in Dakar.

“I’m happy that our fellow African colleagues understood this and thank them for the trust.”