Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee recently played host to a momentous gathering of sports luminaries at The Association of National Olympic Committees in Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI Athletes’ Forum. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Victoria Falls, this event marked a pivotal juncture in African sports, bringing together delegates from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The forum served as a platform for collective deliberation on the future of athletic development in the region.
The forum commenced with great fervor as Mr. Alfred Foloko, President of ANOCA Zone VI, unveiled a groundbreaking pilot project in his opening address. “It is only fitting to have the first ANOCA Zone VI Athletes’ Forum in Zimbabwe, home to the most decorated African Olympian, Hon. Dr. Kirsty Coventry,” remarked the President, emphasizing the significance of the host nation. He went on to express his vision, declaring, “Together, the forum will ensure that we forge a brighter future towards sport in our region.”
The virtual presence of the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Honourable Dr. Kirsty Coventry, added a significant dimension to the proceedings, as she inaugurated the forum and underscored the importance of sharing best practices and formulating strategic frameworks for athlete development. Notably, she also addressed the recent move by World Athletics to award gold medalists with a substantial prize of 50 thousand USD at the Paris Olympic Games, urging the delegates to deliberate on the implications of this development. “I urge you to discuss how you feel about this recent development and state your pros and cons,” she tasked the delegates.
In response, the delegates articulated their position, asserting, “The overall takeaway was that this approach is welcomed and appreciated, and that this is hopefully a policy that should also be adopted by the IOC so that in future all Olympic medalists, no matter from which sport, receive monetary rewards.” This sentiment reflects the delegates’ belief that such incentives will validate the investment and sacrifices made by athletes, thereby enhancing the allure and significance of the Olympic Games.
The distinguished speakers included an International Olympic Committee expert, Arthur Milroy, Communications expert, Mike Madoda, and Strategy expert, Martin Dururu, who enriched the discourse with their invaluable insights and expertise.
The presence of the president and CEO of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee further underscored the gravity of the discussions, as they offered invaluable guidance to the Athletes’ commission representatives, enriching the discourse with their wealth of experience and expertise.
The ANOCA Zone VI Athletes’ Forum stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the region to propel its sporting prowess to greater heights. As the echoes of the forum reverberate across the continent, it heralds a new dawn for African athletics, brimming with promise and ambition.
