New global sports newspapers association created

The founding members of the IASN are the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, El Mundo Deportivo and Marca in Spain, L'Equipe in France, Olé in Argentina, and Lance in Brasil.

Santi Nolla, the editor of El Mundo Deportivo, was appointed the first President of the association. Rosarita Cuccoli, an Italian-born Parisian and a specialist in international relations, was appointed executive general secretary.

"The motto of the association, 'Sports press for sports in society,' is meant to emphasise the importance of sport in conveying values in society, and therefore the key contribution that sport information brings in that respect," said Cuccoli, a graduate of the University of Cambridge who has worked for several international organisations, including the United Nations.

The IASN, whose international secretariat is based in Paris, plans to promote the role of sports newspapers as a marketing tool for the brands associated with sport; promote sports and reading among children; encourage volunteerism in the sporting world; fight against racism and xenophobia in sport; promote the use of sport as a tool in development policies; and safeguard the ethical and economic interests of sports newspapers.

The IASN is affiliated with the World Association of Newspapers.

Contact Rosarita Cuccoli with inquiries and membership applications at IASN, 7 rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 75005 Paris, France, telephone +33 147428500, fax +33 147424948 or email .