By Nick Butler

Representatives of the 10 members of Zone V of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa met in Khartoum ©Wikipedia"Productive discussions" about how to enhance regional cooperation have taken place at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone V General Assembly in Khartoum.


Consisting of representatives of 10 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) spanning North, Central and Eastern Africa - Burundi, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - the importance of collaboration and the state of the Olympic Movement dominated discussion.

It followed a tumultuous year for many of the member nations, which has included problems regarding NOC autonomy in Egypt and a raft of doping failures in Kenya, although this has been accompanied by success in both a sporting and administrative sense. 

With neither ANOCA's President nor four vice-presidents from the region, the lack of representation in key leadership roles in the continental body was also discussed, while the progress of the world's newest nation, South Sudan, as it strives to form a functioning National Olympic Committee, was another area examined..

The meeting in the Sudanese capital began with entertainment, consisting of "colourful traditional dancing" and a string of performances by local singers before the delegates were addressed by figures including Sudan's Minister of Youth and Sports, Nadia Arop Dudi.

One country not present was South Sudan, with the world's newest nation yet to form a National Olympic Committee ©AFP/Getty ImagesOne country not present was South Sudan, with the world's newest nation yet to form a National Olympic Committee ©AFP/Getty Images



"We have had very constructive and productive discussions of how we can enhance the methods of communication and cooperation between the Associations," said Duran Ahmed Farah, secretary general of the Somalia National Olympic Committee.

"This is vital for the sports development of the Zone as well as the organisation's effectiveness of governance. 

"Our Zone produces the highest number of award-winning athletes in international competitions for the continent and we have in conclusion agreed to strengthen the working relationship among us and to create an environment where we can share out information.

"The Assembly appointed a panel of three members from Burundi, Somalia and Sudan's Olympic associations to be the backbone of a way forward plan that will constitute the institute's Olympic Movement mission."

In total, ANOCA consists of seven regional zonal bodies, adding up to 53 NOCs.