Without pressure from an opponent and with the unanimous support of the 54 committees that make up the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, Mustapha Berraf, the current president of the organisation, will run for re-election at the General Assembly scheduled for March 15, in Algiers.
Since he ascended to the throne in 2018 to succeed the Ivorian Lassana Palenfo, Berraf, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), vice-president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and president of the Olympafrica Foundation, accumulates a six-year term that, despite some public claims of alleged malpractices from certain sectors, is not without initiatives in favour of African sport.
Among the major achievements he signed during his administration, the construction and equipping of the headquarters of the African NOCs stands out in the first place, allowing for modern infrastructures that improve the performance of athletes. Along the same lines, ANOCA consolidated strategic alliances with FIFA and World Aquatics that facilitated the construction of 50 international-level football fields and five Olympic swimming pools, thus offering new opportunities for emerging talents.
Another axis of his government was the strengthening of scholarship and grant programmes aimed at supporting athletes in their preparation for international competitions, especially with a view to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The project that allowed numerous athletes to access resources to improve their performance.
ANOCA also intensified its efforts to promote the participation of women in the governing bodies of African and international sport, in line with the principles of the IOC. In this regard, IOC President, Thomas Bach, highlighted that “Mustapha Berraf is a respected leader whose vision and commitment to African Olympism are inspiring. Thanks to his actions, Africa has assumed a central role within the global Olympic Movement.”
The current Executive Committee of ANOCA plays a key role in the implementation of these initiatives, with the support of the General Secretariat, led by engineer Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim. Thanks to extensive experience, the organisation consolidated cooperation links with international bodies that allowed the development of modern sports infrastructures and promoted professionalisation in the management of African NOCs.
From these coordinates, ANOCA understands that Berraf “embodies stability and ambition for African sport. His ability to federate and implement integrated projects is a guarantee for the future.” This support is not only directed at Berraf, but also at the current Executive Committee of ANOCA, which played a crucial role in the implementation of reforms and strategic projects during his term.
Looking ahead to a new term, ANOCA plans to continue with the reforms initiated and face new challenges for the development of sport in Africa. The organisation considers that continuity in management is a key element to consolidate the achievements made and advance the established objectives. According to ANOCA, “the unity and efficiency of the team have consolidated the organisation as a key institution in world sport.”
Candidates for the various positions of the ANOCA Executive Committee:
President:
Mustapha Berraf (Algeria) – running unchallenged
First Vice President:
João Afonso (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Second Vice President:
Filomena Fortes (Cape Verde
Matlohang Moiloa Ramoqopo (Lesotho)
Third Vice President:
Alfred Foloko (Zambia)
Khaled Ezankuli (Libya)
Julien Minavoa (Benin)
Fourth Vice President:
Fardouza Moussa Egueh (Djibouti)
Secretary General:
Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim (Sudan)
David Ojong (Cameroon)
Khaled Zein (Egypt)
Seydina Omar Diagne (Senegal)
Treasurer General:
Habu Ahmed Gumel (Nigeria)