The Athletes’ Support Programme Commission for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games met at the ANOCA headquarters, Abuja, on 20 and 21 June 2022.
It was an in-person session coordinated by the Commission Chair, Seydina Omar Diagne, who opened the deliberations. Then followed the Message of ANOCA President, Hon. Mustapha Berraf, which was delivered by ANOCA Treasurer General, Eng. Habu Gumel who chaired the meeting.
Mustapha Berraf’s message underscored that: “Supporting athletes is the unique way to create enabling conditions necessary for the performances of our African representatives to go beyond the usual records. This must be evidenced by Paris 2024.”
The Commission members reviewed all aspects of the preparation of African athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The athletes’ support programme is based on the judicious use of Olympic Solidarity budgets and the effectiveness of ANOCA grants.
African sports leaders are urged to step up their efforts to create the best conditions for success and performance of athletes, our flag bearers.
Partnerships between ANOCA and various stakeholders such as International Federations, African Sports Confederations, AASC, international bodies, specialised Universities, aim mainly to give athletes and technical staff full benefit of the available programmes.
It also meentails involving technical experts from African NOCs, Confederations, National Federations and international and continental expert groups.
The ANOCA Athletes’ Support Programme aims to provide support for the preparation and qualification of elite athletes with the potential to qualify and perform well at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Commission recommends that NOCs use part of the grant for their athlete support and preparation activities.
ANOCA has concluded agreements with USOPC, NOC Cuba, UCI (ahead of the 2025 World Championships), FINA for the development and preparation of swimmers and the City of Marseille in France among others.
President Mustapha Berraf has initiated discussions with the International Judo Federation and the Executive Board of the International Mediterranean Games Committee. Conventions are being fine-tuned.
ANOCA’s support covers access to appropriate training facilities, a coach specialised in the relevant sport, regular medical and scientific evaluation, accident and illness insurance, and accommodation costs in a recognised training centre to be approved in advance by the ANOCA Commission.
The Commission predicated the allocation process on performance criteria and sports and Olympic ethics. All voices and recommendations of our NOCs for the development and achievement of the goals of our athletes are welcome, the ANOCA President underscored.
