PRESS RELEASE
On 19 December 2023, the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, the Honourable Mustapha BERRAF, and the President of NOC Equatorial Guinea, Alejandro Martin OWONO EVUNA, signed a hosting agreement witnessed by the Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Patricio BAKOLO MEDJA.
The officially signed document sets out the terms and conditions for the organisation of the 3rd African Beach Games in the city of RIABA, Equatorial Guinea, in 2027. It covers all aspects that should allow for a smooth organisation that meets the standards of international sports events. The parties have undertaken to work together to address major issues like defining dates and timelines, the Games village, competition venues, the sports programme, medical services, transport, accommodation, catering, communication on the Games, the Games marketing programme, media management, the educational and cultural programme, security, and the appointment and role of the Local Organising Committee, among other strategic issues.
The involvement of the Government of Equatorial Guinea is established through overall provisions that also define the responsibilities of the National Olympic Committee and the national sports federations of Equatorial Guinea, all in close collaboration with ANOCA.
On 18 December 2023, an initial meeting was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Malabo prior to the signing of the Agreement, and was chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sport. The meeting mainly reviewed the hosting agreement of the 3rd edition of the African Beach Games.
It was decided that:
- ANOCA and OCEG (the local organising committee) will sign the hosting agreement for the African Beach Games, RIABA 2027 (Equatorial Guinea) on 19 December 2023 in Malabo, to be witnessed by the Minister of Youth and Sport of Equatorial Guinea.
- Another agreement will be signed on a later date between the Minister of Youth and Sports of Equatorial Guinea, the President of ANOCA and the OCEG Chair, which would establish the Government of Equatorial Guinea’s approval to fully support the organization of the African Beach Games, RIABA 2027.
These resolutions were signed at the end of the meeting by the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Patricio BAKOLO MEDJA, ANOCA President Hon. Mustapha BERRAF and OCEG Chair, Alejandro Martin OWONO EVUNA.
Speaking after both events, the ANOCA President, the Hon. Mustapha BERRAF, said:
“Thank you very much for the very warm welcome accorded us since we set foot here in Equatorial Guinea, and I would like to congratulate the Minister and the Prime Minister for the efforts that have been made to secure the organisation of these African Beach Games, which are now beginning to take great importance within the International Sports Movement. I have also requested His Excellency the Minister to convey our profound deference and respect to His Excellency the President of the Republic. We all admire the way this wonderful country is managed and run and I am sure that we will organise great African Games in 2027 with the collaboration of all.”
For his part, the President of NOC Equatorial Guinea thanked ANOCA for the confidence placed in Equatorial Guinea.
The ANOCA President was accompanied by First Vice President Mr Joao Da Costa Alegre Afonso and the President of ANOCA Zone 4 and ANOCA Executive Committee member, Mr Manuel Asumu Cawan.
