14 September 2024
A Virtual session of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) was held on Saturday 14 September 2024, chaired by ANOCA President, the Honourable Mustapha Berraf. The meeting discussed various ANOCA Projects and Activities for the African Olympic Movement for the remainder of 2024 and 2025.
Solidarity and Commitment
EXCO members hailed the cohesion and spirit of solidarity that reign within the African Olympic Movement, and President Mustapha Berraf emphasised the importance of this unity, thanks to which Africa has been able to play a central role in the development of world sport. The unfailing support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), under the leadership of President Thomas Bach, was also highlighted, particularly for its support for the African continent.
ANOCA Elective General Assembly in 2025
One of the highlights of the meeting was the decision to hold the ANOCA elective General Assembly on 14 and 15 March 2025 in Algeria. This event is of particular importance, as it will provide an opportunity to give a fresh impetus to the Association’s leadership and develop strategies aimed at strengthening Africa’s position within the Global Olympic Movement. The choice of Algeria, a country with a strong sporting tradition, is in line with the desire to promote African nations pioneering sport development.
Maiden African School Games: a watershed moment
Continuing its commitment to youth and the promotion of sport at all levels, the ANOCA Executive Committee officialised the organisation of the maiden African School Games in Algeria, from 5 to 12 July 2025. This will be a defining moment, a turning point in sport development on the continent, with emphasis on training young African athletes from a tender age.
The African School Games will offer the continent’s budding talents a unique platform to showcase their skills and potential. EXCO members were delighted with this initiative, convinced that these Games will become an incubator for future generations of African Olympic athletes.
The EXCO assigned the 2nd Vice President of ANOCA and the chair of the ANOCA Athletes commission to take charge of the Games.
Capacity-building seminars
To support the development of African sports executives and make them more professional, the Executive Committee also decided to organise major seminars and events:
- Seminar for Secretaries General: from 28 to 30 November 2024 in Mozambique. The seminar will bring together the administrative executives, the real linchpins of the African National Olympic Committees, and will equip them with tools and training for enhanced sports management in their respective countries.
- Athletes’ Seminar: scheduled for April 2025 in Namibia, this seminar will aim to train African athletes in international best practices, while raising their awareness of the values of the Olympic Movement. It will also serve as a discussion forum on the challenges faced by African athletes in their sporting careers.
- African Youth Games, to be organised in December 2025 in Angola
Africa Proposes Dr Thomas Bach to become Honorary IOC President for Life
Acknowledging Dr Thomas Bach’s leadership of the Olympic Movement over the past 12 years and his unmatched skills to sail the Olympic ship amid heavy storms and challenges in all areas including political, health and economic into safe harbour, President Mustapha Berraf proposed that the IOC President be made “Honorary IOC President for Life”.
This proposal was warmly welcomed by EXCO members, who requested their colleagues, IOC members in Africa, to push this forward on behalf of the African Olympic and Sports Movement, considering the tireless efforts he has constantly made in the supreme interest of athletes, their coaches and entourage. It was unanimously agreed that the exceptional management of this iconic leader and his legendary foresight in rising to the challenges occasioned by the persistent inexplicable conflicts that have been rocking the entire planet, as well as his exemplary merit and astuteness must be revealed to the Youth of the World. The entire African continent will thus be eternally grateful to him.
Unity and a vision for ANOCA’s future
At the end of the deliberations, President Mustapha Berraf underscored the importance of sustained unity and solidarity within the African Olympic Movement. He stressed that, thanks to these values, ANOCA has become a major player in world sport, noting that the same values will be essential in meeting future challenges.
The Honourable Mustapha Berraf also urged all ANOCA members to continue working together to make Africa an essential reference in the area of sport. He stressed the need for capacity building for African athletes and coaches, promotion of sports values and preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games with an even stronger delegation.
Conclusion: shared vision for the future of African Sport
This ANOCA Executive Committee meeting marks a new stage in the history of African sport. The decisions taken reflect a clear desire to develop sport at all levels, particularly among young people, while strengthening the administrative and sporting structures of the continent.
ANOCA’s commitment to organising the maiden African School Games, as well as training seminars for managers and athletes, and convening the elective General Assembly in Algeria in March 2025 are all initiatives that illustrate the association’s determination to prepare a brighter future for African sport.
Thanks to its inexhaustible potential and the solidarity of its stakeholders, Africa is preparing to write a new page in its Olympic history. Under the stewardship of President Mustapha Berraf and with the support of the IOC, ANOCA is committed to tirelessly pursuing its efforts to fly the colours of African sport higher and higher, so that the continent can shine even brighter on the international stage.
