Future ANOCA-ISF Cooperation: New lease of life for School Sport in Africa
ANOCA – ISF collaboration promises to be a significant milestone in the development of school sport in Africa. The initiative, which is supported by ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf and ISF President, Laurent Petrynka, aims to harness the educational and social potential of sport for Africa’s youth.
Shared Commitment to Education through Sport
In May this year, Laurent Petrynka met with government officials in Algiers, notably with the Minister of Sport, Abderrahmane Hammad, and the Minister of Education, Abdelhakim Belaabed. During these meetings, discussions focused on the importance of boosting sport in schools, an initiative backed by Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The latter’s vision of a dynamic and sports-minded Algeria is perfectly in line with the ISF’s mission, which aims at developing education through sport by organising international school competitions. These events will bring together young people from across the world and help foster the values of equality, respect and fair play.
Possibility of organising the first-ever African School Games in 2025
Organising more school competitions in Africa is a key issue. Mustapha Berraf and Laurent Petrynka met to discuss the possibility of organising the first-ever African School Games. These games could provide a platform for budding talents in Africa, and also showcase Algeria’s beauty, dynamism and organisational skills. African School Games would seek to leave a sustainable legacy. They will help improve sports infrastructure, train physical education teachers and motivate school children to practise more sports. These efforts are essential in combating sedentary lifestyles and obesity among youth, which are two growing concerns in modern society.
Olympic Values at the heart of ANOCA-ISF collaboration
ISF and ANOCA share a common vision and Olympic values such as excellence, friendship and respect. In collaborating with ISF, ANOCA intends to offer African children various development opportunities through sport. This initiative is not limited to physical skills, but it also encompasses mental and social development, contributing to the training of balanced and resilient young citizens in the face of social and economic challenges.
Education and Development through Sport
Sport is a powerful tool for educating children, protecting their health and boosting their mental resilience. By investing in school sport and physical and sports education, ANOCA and ISF intend to groom young Africans into fulfilled and carefree youth. ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf, stresses the importance of creating a peaceful and conducive environment for the development of children so that they can become active and responsible leaders in a united and prosperous Africa.
Promising future
The ANOCA-ISF cooperation bears hope for school sport in Africa. Joint initiatives such as the African School Games illustrate a deep commitment to youth education and welfare. By boosting sports and educational structures, this collaboration aims to create an environment where children can grow up healthy, develop their talents and make an active contribution to society. By investing in youth and providing them with the means to develop, ANOCA and ISF are working together for a better future, where sport is a vector of unity, progress and prosperity for the entire African continent.
The possibility of organising the African School Games is viewed as part of this cooperation, in keeping with the guidelines set out by the IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach, who considers school sport to be a fundamental tool for the education and emancipation of African society.
