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Makhosini Hlongwane

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane says hosting of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca) meeting shows the confidence the international Olympics body has in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe hosted a similar gathering in 1993, which laid the groundwork for the country’s hosting of the fifth All-Africa Games in 1995.
Hlongwane said the government supports the hosting of sporting events and cited the just-ended Junior World Cup Rugby tournament and the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region 5 executive and commission meeting in Harare as immediate examples.  He said this in his address to the 48th session of the Anoca executive committee in Victoria Falls yesterday.

He said such sporting events contributed to the country’s national goals and development, and also promoted sport diplomacy.

“The Ministry of Sport and Recreation will support (the) Zimbabwe Olympic Committee when it presents its bid for the next meeting of secretaries general of Olympic Committees (of) Africa. We trust that your time here has convinced you of our capability to host future events. I am informed that your discussions will focus on how best to support African athletes in their final preparations and to lay the foundation for preparations of our African athletes in future,” said Hlongwane.

He said Zimbabwe is prepared to work with Anoca and support dialogue between Anoca and the African Union on the African Games.

The 48th session of Anoca meeting comes at a critical time on the Olympic calendar when athletes worldwide are focusing on their final preparations for the Rio Olympics in August.

Anoca executive board members, presidents of Zones under Anoca, athletes’ commissions and other invited guests worldwide attended the meeting.

World Anti-Doping director-general David Howman also attended the meeting where the issue of anti-doping is being discussed.
Delegates were still locked in closed sessions yesterday and details would be made public today.

On the agenda were reports from various committees, updates on preparations for the African Games, International Women’s Group first ever conference in Africa and addressing doping concerns.