Croatia’s Jura Ozmec unanimously confirmed as AIPS Secretary General as new Executive Committee takes shape.
LAUSANNE | By Sayer Zaland
Jura Ozmec of Croatia has been unanimously appointed as Secretary General of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) for the 2026–2030 term, following a decision by the newly elected Executive Committee.
The appointment was confirmed during the Committee’s inaugural meeting held at AIPS headquarters in Lausanne, in accordance with the organization’s statutes. Ozmec’s selection completes a key component of the leadership structure for the new cycle, reinforcing administrative continuity within the association.
As a direct consequence of the appointment, Mohamed Ould El Hassan of Mauritania, who finished 13th in the Executive Committee elections, has been elevated to the Committee, in line with a prior decision approved by voting members during the Congress.
The Executive Committee, led by President Gianni Merlo, comprises 23 members alongside four ex-officio vice presidents representing continental bodies. While leadership elections in Europe and the Americas have been concluded, with Marc Ventouillac and Carlos Julio Castellanos confirmed, respective processes in Asia and Africa remain pending.
The role of Secretary General remains central to the operational and institutional coordination of AIPS, particularly at a time when the organization is navigating structural reforms and evolving demands within global sports media.
Ozmec’s unanimous appointment reflects a broader emphasis on internal cohesion within the newly formed leadership, as AIPS seeks to balance continuity with adaptation in a rapidly shifting media environment. The integration of additional Executive Committee members further underscores efforts to maintain geographical representation while consolidating governance mechanisms for the upcoming term.