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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
THE second Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Athletes’ Forum got underway in Harare yesterday with several topics related to athletes lined up for deliberation.

The forum, taking place at Rainbow Towers, ends tomorrow.

Some of the topics being discussed include support for athletes, before, during and after the Olympic Games, anti-doping, outreach and education, effective athletes communication, competition, manipulation and match-fixing.

Prevention of harassment and abuse in sport, among other key issues, will also be discussed.

The International Olympic Committee wants to place athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

IOC Athletes’ Commission, chaired by IOC member in Zimbabwe, Kirsty Coventry, serves as a link between the athletes and the IOC.

The initiative of the continental athletes’ forums is a brainchild of Coventry and they are set to strengthen the voice of athletes worldwide.

“I think it’s always hard for athletes. They are always seen just as athletes and they are sometimes seen as not being able to bring valuable ideas and movements forward at board level,’’ said Coventry.

“I think that’s completely naïve and wrong.

“But the athletes also have to find the confidence within themselves to come forward and hopefully this forum will enable the athletes to feel more confident, to feel that they know exactly what their purpose and their goal is.

“And how they can deliver a certain message that they are trying to get across to their boards.’’

Guest of honour at the official opening ceremony, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, who was represented by the principal director in his ministry Benson Dube, said such platforms were vital for athlete development.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the convening of this conference underlines the net value that Governments and Olympic Committees place on athletes and is a salient platform in placing athletes as a central point of contact and interface in all sport management and development issues.

“It is my considered view that forums of this magnitude are fundamental in developing strategy for athlete development and an artery for inculcating Olympic values of friendship, respect, excellence, determination, inspiration, courage and equality,” said Kazembe.

Athletes’ representatives from across the continent are attending the forum as well as IOC and ANOCA dignitaries.

Olympic Solidarity deputy director, Pamela Vipond, said the objective of the continental forums is to ensure that athletes are heard.

“This initiative for the continental athletes’ forums was a brainchild of Kirsty Coventry as a chair of the IOC Athletes Commission and she is also a member of Olympic Solidarity Commission.

“And the idea was to have some tangible link between the IOC international athletes’ forum and those of the continental associations.

“We are looking forward to some lively exchanges and some good recommendations that will come out of this forum, from the African athletes to the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission,’’ said Vipond.

Also in attendance is ANOCA Athletes’ Commission chair, Amadou Dia Ba.

Yesterday’s official opening was also graced by the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president, Admire Masenda, who shared their experience in setting up a functional Athletes Commission.