The agenda featured three key items: the unanimous endorsement of Mustapha BERRAF’s candidacy for the post of ANOC President; confirmation of steady progress toward the 2027 African School Games in Abuja; and the announcement of a $1 million per year partnership dedicated to African youth.
On Friday, 19 June 2026, ANOCA convened an Extraordinary General Assembly by videoconference, effectively chaired by President Mustapha BERRAF. The meeting brought together 52 of the 54 African NOCs, reflecting an exceptional level of commitment ahead of the major continental sports events scheduled for 2027.
An African candidacy for the ANOCA presidency
A major highlight of the session was the General Assembly’s unequivocal support for President BERRAF’s candidacy for the post of ANOC President. African NOCs noted that, to date, no African has ever held this position within the ANOC governance structure. In their motion of support for Mustapha BERRAF’s candidacy, the General Assembly pledged “To give our unconditional, full and complete support to the Honourable Mustapha BERRAF’s candidacy for the post of ANOC President.”
The motion urged the entire African Olympic and Sports Movement to unite in this endeavour, while calling on “…all sister NOCs from other continents to endorse the African continent’s bid.” It also commended the leadership qualities of Honourable Mustapha BERRAF: “We commend his decisive contribution to the cause of Olympism and reaffirm our confidence in his ability to lead ANOC to further successes.”
Countdown to the African School Games 2027 in Abuja
The General Assembly reviewed and approved the Coordination Committee’s report presented in Abuja (Nigeria) on 9 and 10 June 2026, which commended the strong commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Sports Commission, as well as progress by the Local Organising Committee, which was officially established and supported by 14 specialised subcommittees. Members endorsed the principle of a comprehensive sports programme featuring more than twenty disciplines and hosting about 2,500 young athletes, while requesting further clarification on the final schedule and accommodation arrangements, which will be addressed with the Nigerian authorities in the coming weeks.
Other projects across the continent
The General Assembly also discussed the organisation of the African Beach Games, billed for Equatorial Guinea, and the African Youth Games to be held in Ethiopia. In this regard, the ANOCA President declared his intention to award the African Olympic Order of Merit to the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, in recognition of his personal commitment to the growth of the Olympic Movement in Africa.
US $ 1 million a year for African youths
The General Assembly concluded with the announcement of a partnership with a non-profit organisation, which has committed to providing sports equipment to the tune of US $ 1 million dollars a year to fifty OlympAfrica centres for the benefit of disadvantaged young people across the continent.
“The General Assembly demonstrated, once again, the unity and institutional maturity of the African Olympic Movement. Our National Committees are fully committed to making 2027 a historic year for our continent, in the service of our athletes and our young people,” President Berraf concluded.
