40TH SEMINAR FOR SECRETARIES GENERAL OF AFRICAN NOCS
The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), organised the 40th Seminar for Secretaries General of African NOCs from 4 to 5 November, 2023 in Mombasa, Kenya.
The seminar was organised under the theme “Countdown arrangement to Paris 2024 Olympic Games”, with sub-themes focusing mainly on NOC roles and responsibilities, and Olympafrica/OS programmes.
It was officially opened by the Kenyan Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu NAMWAMBA who stated that: ‘‘Governments across the continent should be ready to partner
with ANOCA to ensure Africa’s dream at the Olympics and other sports is realised through the provision of resources and facilities to athletes.’’
Representing the ANOCA President, Mustapha BERRAF, the ANOCA Treasurer General, Engr Habu Gumel AHMED stated: ‘‘I would like to commend each and every one of you, dear Secretaries General, for your individual and collective commitment. You are doing Africa proud! The stakes are high, if our athletes are to stage a befitting and historic participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It therefore behoves us to level up our preparations and, more so, make a better show of our sports governance.”
President Paul TERGAT of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya said: ‘‘I must admit that wherever I go, I am more than ever before convinced that Africa is endowed with incredible sports talents and opportunities. And the question as to whether we have leveraged these assets is both a question and a responsibility that we must explore in order to find answers. In my humble opinion, we must, as the African Olympic Movement, arise and seize this opportunity together and strategically. We must devise and champion our own sports governance and development programmes based on our specific needs, and in collaboration with our peers and partners across the globe.’’
Also present at the seminar were the ANOCA Secretary General, Ahmed Abou Elgasim HASHIM, NOC Kenya President, Paul TERGAT, the legendary Kipchoge KEINO, athlete Ferdinand OMANYALA, as well as all Secretaries General from Africa’s 54 NOCs.
The topics discussed during the seminar were:
• Paris 2024 preparations
• An assessment was made of the possible local and external options for pre-games training camps for athletes to acclimatise.
• Paris 2024 qualifiers
• NOC checklist on the road to Paris.
• Challenges and concerns NOCs are facing with the Games fast approaching
• Presentations by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Team and the IOC Athlete games services enlightened NOCs on updates of services for Paris 2024
• Accreditations
• Olympic Solidarity
• African Games
Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, Chair of LOC Ghana 2023 presented a paper on the Games that will be held in March 2024.
NOCs were mainly recommended to forge good relations while preserving their independence in accordance with the IOC Charter. The seminar was officially closed by Engr Habu Gumel AHMED who recalled that the 41st seminar will be held in Maputo, Mozambique.
