The regional Forum on Sports and Marketing which brought together ANOCA Zone V leaders, NOCs delegates, the private sector and government representatives ended on Friday with renewed commitment to do more to promote sports.
The two-day meeting held on June 28-29, 2018 at Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali, was organised by ANOCA / ZONE V in collaboration with Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC).
The aim of the forum was to discuss how regional Olympic committees can work together to revitalise the sports industry through business partnerships with the private sector with a focus on ending dependency on government budgets in the long run.
The forum which was officially opened by the Minister of Sports and Culture, Hon. Julienne Uwacu discussed existing challenges and opportunities as well as what needs to be done to tap into the potential of the sports industry.
At the end of the meeting, delegates agreed to advance sports and sports business in Africa, through partnerships with the private sector – with local organising committees and representatives of private sector identifying the challenges each side faces and solutions.
Following a series of deliberations, presentations and diseases and antibiotics of experiences, it was resolved that ANOCA ZONE V needs to hold regular marketing seminars at least once in every two years to allow NOCs to brainstorm and evaluate progress.
It was also agreed that ANOCA ZONE V’s main property is the youth games and they should be held at least once in every two years.
It was further agreed that ANOCA ZONE V sets up a marketing commission that would help to identify opportunities and come up with ideas that can be fully exploited.
To that end, it was agreed that National Olympic Committees (NOCs) need to send names and CVs to ANOCA ZONE V for viable candidates’ review, set to be part of the ANOCA Marketing Commission.
Delegates agreed that each National Olympic Committee (All 7 NOCs) needs to develop their own marketing strategy and send it to ZONE V for deliberation with ANOCA.
“This is to synergize and synchronize marketing strategies. Respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) marketing commissions need maximum three months to be done with the marketing strategy,” delegates agreed among the recommendations.
It was also agreed that ANOCA should approach IOC on the use of IOC marketing properties going forward.
During the board meeting which was held on Day 1 on the sidelines of the regional forum at attended by Minister Uwacu, it was resolved that Rwanda hosts next year’s ANOCA ZONE V Youth Games.
In her opening remarks, Hon. Uwacu called on NOCs and private sector on the continent to work together to advance sports and make it a lucrative industry it is supposed to be.
“Africa has a tremendous potential. It is up to us to ignite it through professionalism, leadership and passion,”
“To achieve consistent performance, we need to foster excellence, effectiveness, integrity, equity and equality, inclusion, accountability, mutual respect, enthusiasm and commitment,” Hon. Uwacu said.
She said that the Government of Rwanda is committed to supporting all programs and initiatives aimed at transforming the image of sport in ANOCA Zone V and in Africa in general.
“We are also committed to implementing the new architecture of sport in Africa initiated by the African Union Commission, whereby the 7 former zones were retransformed into 5 regions,”
“Our zone will be part of the Region 4 composed of 14 countries, and the Government of Rwanda is ready to host its permanent secretariat with your support,” she added.
The President of the Rwanda National Olympics and Sports Committee (RNOSC) Amb Valens Munyabagisha urged countries in Zone V to fast track the process of implementing, adding that “strategic orientations” from the Kigali forum should set the region on the course for action.
Zone V President Mr William Blick, who also sits on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Marketing Commission made a presentation on the opportunities available, which can be taken advantage of, while the ANOCA Secretary General Eng Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim urged countries to take concrete action towards revitalising sport.
Delegates visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi where they paid tribute to the over 250, 000 killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who are buried there.
