An extraordinary session of the ANOCA General Assembly was held in Paris, on 31 July 2024, at Hôtel Méridien Paris Etoile,on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Chaired by President Mustapha BERRAF, the deliberations began at 9.30 a.m. with all 54 African NOCs in attendance. The agenda featured the award of the Youth Olympic Games, the African Beach Games and the progress report on preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which were all awarded based on bids submitted by the States.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the sidelines of the deliberations between ANOCA and the International School Sports Federation, aimed at creating an incubator for budding talents in the hope of reaching the highest level.
The meeting took the following resolutions:
- The General Assembly confirmed that the African Beach Games will be hosted by Equatorial Guinea in 2025;
- Algeria will host the maiden edition of the African School Games in 2025;
- Angola will host the African Youth Games in 2025;
- Egypt will host the 2027 African Games;
- Senegal was confirmed as host of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- The ANOCA President also announced Egypt’s bid to host the 2036 and 2040 Olympic Games.
Speaking about the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, Seydina Omar DIAGNE, Secretary General of NOC Senegal had this to say:
“Preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are going on smoothly, and it will be a big event.”
Speaking during the meeting, IOC President, Thomas BACH, said:
“I commend the remarkable efforts of the Presidents of African NOCs and call for solidarity and unity to achieve significant progress in African sport…. To support African National Olympic Committees, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made a major financial effort. There will be a 10% increase from Olympic Solidarity. You deserve this thanks to your efforts on behalf of the continent’s youth. Africa is the future”, declared the IOC boss, Thomas Bach, at the ANOCA General Assembly in Paris on 31 July.
The IOC President further promised that “there will also be changes in the support to the TOP programme, ‘The Olympic Partner’, with increased support for the least privileged NOCs. We want them to sustain the momentum after all the difficulties caused by geopolitical conflicts”.
Other prominent attendees included Prince Albert of Monaco, CNOSF President, David LAPPARTIENT, represented the French Head of State, President Emmanuel MACRON, who was unavoidably absent.
Another remarkable presence was that of ANOC President, Mr Robin MITCHELL, who hailed the African Olympic movement, as well as all the Presidents of African NOCs, while congratulating President Mustapha Berraf for his leadership.
Also in attendance were the President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Mr Gao ZIDHAN, and the President of the International E-Sports Federation (leSF), Mr Faissal Bin Bandar Sultan Al Saud, as were IOC members in Africa.
The French Minister for Sport and the Olympic Games, Amélie OUDEA-CASTERA, who took part in the deliberations, had this to say:
“This association of 54 National Olympic Committees of Africa is dedicated to promoting sport and Olympism across the world, while supporting African athletes in their quest for excellence. Such efforts are reflected on a daily basis in Africa Station, a fan zone specially set up with the city of Ile Saint-Denis to celebrate African culture and victories during the Games. We wish the African athletes competing in the Olympics every success.”
Several dignitaries were decorated by the ANOCA President for their dedication to the Olympic Movement and African sport.
In his opening address, ANOCA President and host, Honourable Mustapha BERRAF remarked:
“The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa is implementing its 2020-2024 strategic plan with insight and efficiency. This is a joint effort. We are working hand in glove as one. Our goal remains the same: to bring happiness and joy to Africa’s youth. To develop the African continent through sport. As such, we support the 54 African states in their ongoing quest for prosperity. Sport is a driving force for development. Africa is resolutely committed to making this an important driver of its socio-economic progress. These initiatives are therefore ground-breaking in the pursuit of our common goals. Our General Assemblies have always reinforced our commitment. Today, here in Paris, as in the past, this will be the case again. Our common cause has always been our strength. We must protect this vision. The involvement of each and every one of us is essential for our actions to be a complete success. In all humility, we can safely say that we have implemented our projects and our strategic plan with rigour, which leads us to believe that our results are satisfactory. Nevertheless, more effort is required of us. The exceptional atmosphere that currently reigns within the Olympic Movement allows us to say that our National Olympic Committees are forging ahead with determination. They are all true champions and they do us proud. In close collaboration with the IOC, we have embarked on a programme to build and renovate Headquarters in certain countries for the benefit of our NOCs, who need to work in the best possible conditions. Most of these projects are already underway and include our Olympafrica centres, which are spread across the continent and aim to offer young Africans a wide range of opportunities through sport. They are arenas of genuine youth development and hope for brighter days ahead.”
The President further stated:
“We will be remiss if we do not pay tribute to certain International Federations and their leaders. These include the Cycling, Wrestling, Volleyball, Basketball and Canoeing Federations, as well as to our ANOC President, who is always on hand to listen to each and every one of us. For the next Olympic Solidarity quadrennial plan for the benefit of the African continent, we will organise multiple events and activities, notably: the African Games Egypt 2027, the Angola Youth Games in December 2025, the African Beach Games in Equatorial Guinea and the African School Games in July 2025 in Algiers. This latest initiative, in close collaboration with the International School Sports Federation, should enable our NOCs to work closely with their respective Federations to identify budding talents and thus open up more promising prospects for the future. We’ll also be getting down to work in the run-up to the first ever E-Sport Olympic Games in 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This collaboration between the International Olympic Committee and the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee is of utmost interest to us. Together, we will continue to tackle priority issues such as sustainable development, the African Athletes Forum, gender equality and many others such as the fight against doping and preparations for the Dakar Games. Our valiant athletes are currently competing in Paris 2024. These Olympic Games promise a huge medal haul for our champions. Their deployment is significant. ANOCA provided them with grants to help them prepare for the event. IOC Olympic Solidarity has also been deeply involved in the preparation of our athletes. To our athletes we say: GO FOR IT, AFRICA IS BEHIND YOU! The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be a success for the continent. We are certain that Team Africa’s performance will live up to expectations. After this competition, we intend to continue supporting our athletes to achieve even better results come Los Angeles 2028.”
The ANOCA President awarded medals to some of its most deserving members. The discussions took place in an open and cordial atmosphere.
