N’Djamena, 4 June 2025

A new chapter is unfolding in the sports landscape in Chad. On 24 May 2025, the Chad National Olympic and Sports Committee (COST) officially commissioned its new headquarters, a modern and functional building located in N’Djamena, capital city of the Republic of Chad. This highly symbolic event was part of an official visit by an ANOCA delegation from 23 to 25 May 2025.

Placed under the most distinguished patronage of the President of the Republic of Chad, His Excellency Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby ITNO, the commissioning ceremony was presided at by ANOCA President and IOC member, the Honourable Mustapha Berraf, who headed the ANOCA delegation. The Head of State was represented by Mr Youssouf Djibrine, Special Adviser on Sport. The ceremony was also attended by many Chadian authorities, including the Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr Maïdé Hamit Lony, and COST President, Mr Idriss Dokony Adiker, together with other dignitaries from the African Olympic movement and technical and institutional partners.

Exemplary partnership for a strategic project

A windfall of close cooperation between the Chadian government, the NOC and ANOCA, the new headquarters has been built on land provided by the Chadian government. The construction was entirely funded by ANOCA, as part of its NOC headquarters construction and renovation programme, as situated in context by ANOCA Treasurer General and project Coordinator, Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel:

“President Berraf, during his extensive engagements across the continent, observed a troubling reality: many National Olympic Committees (NOCs) were functioning in precarious conditions, operating from rented offices with unstable tenure…. Recognizing that such conditions were undermining the dignity, efficiency, and stability of our Olympic institutions, he initiated an ambitious and forward-looking project — to support African NOCs in acquiring and constructing their own permanent headquarters. His vision was simple yet transformative: every NOC deserves a home. A home that reflects its stature, fosters professionalism, and secures its future. It is under this initiative, inspired by President Berraf’s deep commitment to the African Olympic Movement, that today’s event in N’Djamena finds its place in history.

The project is thus in line with ANOCA’s strategic vision, which aims, by 2030, to provide almost all 54 African NOCs with permanent, functional headquarters that meet the requirements of modern sports governance.

Named the ‘Amady Nathe Headquarters’, in tribute to an iconic figure in Chadian sport, the building represents much more than an administrative structure, as Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel once again underscores:

“Today is a landmark moment not only for the Chad Olympic and Sports Committee but for the entire African Olympic family. The inauguration of this magnificent edifice is a testimony to what unity of purpose, vision, and determination can achieve. It is the realisation of a dream – one where sport is given the infrastructure, dignity, and structure it deserves … This building is more than just concrete and steel. It is a home for the Olympic Movement in Chad – a place where ideas will be born, athletes will be supported, and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect will be nurtured. It is a beacon of our collective ambition to build a stronger and more self-reliant African sports ecosystem.”

Solemn ceremony bearing hope

In his address delivered on the occasion, COST President, Mr Idriss Dokony Adiker, also emphasised the symbolic and institutional significance of the achievement:

“The new headquarters spans 2,000 square metres, a plot allocated to the NOC by the Chadian government. A windfall of an open partnership and solid institutional support, it embodies the fresh impetus that we want to give to Chadian sport … The headquarters belongs to the entire sports family.”

This message of unity and national pride resonated strongly with the audience, highlighting the importance of institutional support for the sustainable development of sport.

Continental vision embraced and championed by ANOCA

Addressing the dignitaries present, ANOCA President, the Honourable Mustapha Berraf, underscored the underlying ambition this type of integrated project:

“It is the living symbol of a continental ambition championed by ANOCA: to provide each African NOC with a dignified, functional and sustainable headquarters, at the service of sport, youth and development. When we launched this strategic programme at ANOCA, we knew that the project went far beyond the mere construction buildings. It had to do with building solid institutions, places of work and dialogue, landmarks for future generations. By offering each African NOC an institutional workspace, we give our sport greater sovereignty while consolidating the management, governance and exposure of our Olympic Movement both nationally and continentally.”

He then hailed Chad’s commitment to this modernisation drive:

“Today, Chad proudly joins the list of African nations that, in close collaboration with ANOCA, the IOC and their governments, are investing in the future of sport. This new headquarters that we are commissioning is no luxury; it is a necessity. It is a strategic tool for the sustainable development of Chadian sport, a coordination centre for the Federations, a home for budding talents and a lever for innovation. I would like to pay tribute to the strong commitment of the Chadian authorities, in particular the Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sport, who have understood the importance of this project for the development of the country and its athletes.”

Leveraging the Headquarters to transform Chadian sport

Above and beyond its symbolic value, the commissioned headquarters now offers a modern, stable and secure working environment for the management of the Olympic Movement in Chad. It will house the COST administrative offices, serve as a meeting place for national sports federations, and host training, planning and coordination activities.

With this achievement, Chad has considerably consolidated its position on the African sports stage, confirming its ability to meet the contemporary demands of governance, performance and transparency.

Continental scale success model 

The new ‘Amady Nathe Headquarters’ is a successful example of solid public-private partnerships and cooperation between a continental body and an African state, based on a shared ambition: truly leveraging sport for economic, social and cultural transformation, and thus for sustainable development. It is hoped that this new headquarters will be a springboard for athlete development, administrative excellence and a deeper commitment to young people and communities across Chad.