The African Collaborations Group (ACG) has announced the appointment of Gianni Merlo, President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), to its Advisory Board. ACG is a strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on industrializing sport in Africa through sport and entertainment district ecosystems. Merlo's addition brings global credibility and professional legitimacy to the platform. As AIPS President, Merlo has been a leading figure in international sports journalism, with a career spanning over two decades.
Gianni Merlo has been President of AIPS since 2005 and was re-elected for a sixth term in April 2026 with 76.85% of the vote. AIPS is a global federation of sports journalists, founded in Paris in 1924 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The organization brings together over 160 national sports journalists' associations, representing more than 9,000 accredited sports journalists worldwide. Merlo is also a senior journalist at Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the world's most respected sports newspapers.
Merlo's extensive experience in international sports journalism includes covering 14 Winter Olympic Games and 13 Summer Olympic Games, as well as over 35 World Championships and European Championships. He serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Press Commission, positioning him at the heart of global decision-making on Olympic media policy and event accreditation frameworks. His previous roles include the presidency of the European Sports Press Union (UEPS) from 1994 to 1998.
The appointment of Gianni Merlo to the ACG Advisory Board ensures that ACG's district projects are aligned with professional standards, accreditation frameworks, and media relationships that define how major international sport is reported. His presence will enable ACG to tap into the pan-continental journalism network AIPS convenes, providing access to a vast network of sports journalists and media professionals. This will be crucial in originating and structuring large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across Africa.
Sport and entertainment districts at the scale ACG is originating require careful consideration of physical, financial, and commercial ecosystems, as well as events and experiences that international sport journalism will engage with, credential, and cover on the world's largest stages. Merlo's expertise will help ACG create projects that meet the highest professional standards, ensuring that they are well-positioned for success and sustainability.
Gianni Merlo's appointment to the ACG Advisory Board brings unmatched authority in international sports journalism, deep relationships across the global sports media, national press associations, and international federations. His career-long perspective on how major sport events are reported and remembered will be invaluable in shaping ACG's district projects. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the development of sport and entertainment districts in Africa.
The African Collaborations Group (ACG) is a leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on industrializing sport in Africa. With Gianni Merlo on its Advisory Board, ACG is well-positioned to advance its mission of creating bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems across the continent. Key points from this development include:
Key points
- Gianni Merlo's appointment brings global credibility to ACG's Advisory Board.
- Merlo's expertise will ensure ACG's district projects meet professional standards and accreditation frameworks.
- The move is expected to boost the development of sport and entertainment districts in Africa.
