ABU Sports unveils New Initiatives in
Colombo, Sri Lanka (May 28-30, 2016)

The ABU Sports Group
Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has taken several steps towards enhanced
cooperation among its members. These include, the content sharing platform,
production and transmission service, and activities related to training. Members
expressed their support to the initiatives while, concerns were also raised
over its effectiveness.

Delegates said the
intention behind the initiatives however is good for members and the union in
the long run. An entire panel discussions with experts in sports broadcasting
was devoted to the initiatives. The discussion also saw members feedback,
comments and suggestions.

Closing the
conference, the Chairman of the ABU Sports Group, Jiang Heping said, the
initiatives are not simply a plan or a proposal anymore. What we now need is
action. If ABU Sports is to move ahead, such new initiatives and strategies
must be welcomed and implemented.

Delivering the
keynote address at the opening the Sri Lankan Minister of Parliamentary Reforms
and Mass Media, Honb’le Gayantha Karunathilake described the Asia Pacific
Broadcasting Union as a tower of strength to the broadcasters in Asia.

He said, the ABU has
not only united broadcasters but helped secure media rights of major sports
events in a cost effective way and helped improve sports broadcasting and
production standards. For Sri Lanka, sports is a great unified, he said. It
plays a greater role by fostering unity among ethnic groups following the
30-year-old unrest in the country.

The ABU Secretary
General, Dr. Javad Mottaghi said, ABU is growing and expanding fast and so is
sports broadcasting. Asia will be the focus in terms of sports, if not already,
said Dr. Mottaghi.

The three day
conference saw several presentations from members in whats is called the
“members forum”. Presentations were made by delgates from Iran, Thailand,
India, Afghanistan and China. Delegates said the presentations gave them a
better understanding of each other in terms of challenges and the over-all
sports and broadcasting situation in the respective countires.

The ABU and the Host
Broadcast Services HBS, also signed a memorandum of understandign at the
conference. The MoU, which is in line with “ABU’s New Initiatives, the training
academy. This is expected to benefit members in terms of capacity development
of our members. 

The conference also
saw presentation on the up-coming events like – the Beach Games in Vietnam
later this year, the SEA Games 2017 in Malaysia, and the AIMAG 2017 in
Turkmenistan. Among others, the members were also able to discuss and share
several sporting events, such as Rio Olympics.

The next Sports Group
Conference will take place in Bali, Indonesia (October 18-20, 2018) on the
sidelines of the ABU General Assembly.