On 31 July 2024 at Hotel Méridien Paris Etoile in Paris, ANOCA and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to further promote school sport in Africa. The agreement was signed by ANOCA President Mustapha BERRAF and ISF President Laurent PETRYNKA.
The agreement lays the foundation for the organisation of the very first African School Games in 2025, which have already been awarded to Algeria.
These Games will serve as an incubator for budding talents in the hope that they will reach the elite level. They will also offer a platform for budding African talents to showcase Algeria’s beauty, dynamism and organisational skills.
The African School Games further aim to leave a lasting legacy, help improve sports infrastructure, train physical education trainers and motivate students to embrace sports. These efforts are essential to combat sedentary lifestyles and obesity among young people, two growing health concerns in modern society.
The signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the ANOCA Extraordinary General Assembly, was attended by the Sports Ministers of Egypt, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea. The President of NOC Saudi Arabia, the President of NOC Germany, Presidents of Continental Sports Federations, IOC African members, African NOCs and ANOCA Executive Committee members were also in attendance.
After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, President BERRAF insisted that:
“Sport is a powerful tool for educating children, protecting their health and strengthening their mental resilience. By investing in school sport and in physical education and sport, ANOCA and ISF intend to help African youths to develop their full potential and lead stress-free lives. I would like to stress the importance of creating a peaceful environment that is conducive to the development of children so that they can become active and responsible leaders in a united and prosperous Africa.
ANOCA-ISF cooperation is a beacon of hope for the future of school sport in Africa. Joint initiatives such as the African School Games illustrate a deep commitment to youth education and welfare. By strengthening sports and educational structures, this collaboration aims to create an environment where children can grow up healthy, develop their talents and contribute actively to society.
By investing in young people and providing them with the means to fulfil their potential, ANOCA and ISF are striving together for a better future, where sport is a vehicle of unity, progress and prosperity for the entire African continent. The organisation of the African School Games is part of this cooperation, in tune with the IOC President’s guidelines. My friend, Dr Thomas BACH, considers school sport to be a fundamental instrument for the education and emancipation of the African society.
All ANOCA Executive Committee members and the Presidents of the 54 African NOCs are grateful to President Laurent PETRYNKA for this commitment to our great and beautiful continent, Africa. The youth of Africa feel honoured by this agreement which confirms our shared passion for youths and our common will to offer opportunities to African families through sports practice and the furtherance of Olympic values.”
By way of illustration, the key points of this agreement, which has a historic significance for the parties, are as follows:
1. Facilitating an effective collaboration between ISF and ANOCA for the promotion of school sports activities that are mutually beneficial to both parties;
2. Strengthening general cooperation and partnership between the two organisations and their members;
3. Promoting sport in education at local, national and international levels, attracting school-age sport enthusiasts and fostering cooperation between ANOCA and ISF with local authorities;
4. Sharing information and updates using the organisations’ platforms for mutual external communication and promotion;
5. Seeking opportunities for synergies and greater benefits stemming from this collaboration;
6. Officially recognising and promoting the ISF-ANOCA collaboration.
1.1 ISF and ANOCA undertake initiatives to:
1. Encourage the practice of sport by all students regardless of gender;
2. Promote girls’ school sport;
3. Identify and implement synergies between the two parties in the Field of Play;
4. Create a training and assessment unit for international/national technical officials (ITOs);
5. Promote sustainability, the principles of fair play and integrity, and join the fight against all forms of racism in sport;
6. Promote the use of school competitions as a development platform to experimenting new rules and formats or any other innovation.
Article 2 – SPECIFIC COOPERATION INITIATIVES
2.1 Creating the African School Games:
1. ISF and ANOCA hereby agree to collaborate in establishing and organising the African School Games, a sports event aimed at promoting sport and physical activity, to foster unity and improve the development of young athletes across the African continent.
2. The African School Games will serve as a platform for student-athletes from African countries to compete in various sports events, thus fostering mutual friendship and cultural exchanges between participants.
3. Promote sustainability, the principles of fair play and integrity, and join the fight against all forms of racism in sport.
4. Both parties will work together to ensure the successful planning, organisation, and management of the African School Games, adhering to international standards of sportsmanship, fairness, and inclusivity.
5. Both parties will seek opportunities for broader synergies and benefits arising from this collaboration.
2.2 Support for the Participation of Young Athletes in ISF Events
1. Recognising the importance of nurturing young talents and providing opportunities for their growth, ISF and ANOCA will jointly facilitate the participation of young African athletes in ISF events and other international competitions organised by ISF.
2. Both parties will collaborate to identify talented young athletes from African nations, provide them with the necessary resources and support to excel in their respective sports and contribute to the promotion of sports excellence and international cooperation.
2.3 ISF Academy
1. Building on the shared goal of promoting education through sport, the ISF Academy will offer a comprehensive educational program designed to enhance the personal development of teachers and student-athletes, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for success both on and off the field of play.
2. Through the ISF Academy, African PE teachers and athletes will have access to high-quality coaching, academic support, and mentorship programs, empowering them to pursue their ambitions while receiving a well-rounded education that prepares them for future endeavours.
4. Parties will consider integrating joint sports seminars in educational programs, social programs (e.g. the UN Sustainable Development Goals), and good governance (e.g. anti-doping, environmentally friendly management) into ISF Events.
