IOC president in Namibia for African athletes forum

The newly-elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Kirsty Coventry, arrives in Namibia today for the continental athlete’s forum scheduled from 5 to 6 April in the capital.

The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) will host the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca) Athletes’ Forum, said to attract a huge representation from African athletes.

Speaking to Derest FM this week, NNOC president Ndeulipulwa Hamutumwa said the newly elected IOC president’s presence indicates the importance of the athlete’s gathering.

“They will be discussing areas of importance and how that can shape the future of athletes. This will be one of the largest gatherings by African athletes in southern Africa, and the NNOC as a member of Anoca will host the event,” said Hamukwaya.

“This forum will gather athlete representatives from national olympic committees across Africa, providing a unique opportunity to observe discussions and presentations focused on enhancing the skills and support for athletes on the continent,” he said.

The convention aims to strengthen the skills, resources and networks of African athletes. The themes of this 2025 edition will include improving the living and career conditions of athletes, strengthening training and preparation programs, or the promotion of equality and inclusion.

“This forum is a crucial step to strengthen the voice of African athletes and ensure that they are at the heart of decisions that shape the future of sport on our continent,” says Mustapha Berraf, the president of Anoca.

“We are confident that the recommendations emerging from these discussions will contribute to the emergence of a more equitable and efficient sports ecosystem.

“We must give athletes all the arguments they need to reach the ceiling of high-level sport… So it is a question of leading the thinking around the management of athletes’ careers, their post-career and their socio-professional life, organise and design with them the strategies specific to their needs and requirements.”

Reflecting on Zimbabwean swimming legend Coventry’s election to the IOC presidency, Hamutumwa said the NNOC congratulates and salutes her for having propelled herself to the highest office of the Olympic movement.

He says Conventry is both the first woman and first African to be elected to the IOC presidency.

“This is a win for the athletes and also a win for women around the world. Coventruy’s election comes at the backdrop of Namibia electing and endorsing the new president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.”

Hamutumuwa said Coventry’s election is a testimony that women are capable to lead as equal partners within the structures of the sport’s movements.

He said her win is an achievement for Africa because small countries like Namibia are able to now advance their cause within the member states of the IOC.

“Having somebody from Africa, that is an opportunity for somebody to be able to understand our conditions, backgrounds and our history. We envisaged that this leadership will be able to come closer to our issues at home.”

“We will support her leadership so that she succeeds and also to demonstrate that Africa is ready to conquer and ready to shine among the nations of the world,” said Hamutumwa.

“It’s safe to say that the presidency of Coventry is an example of what it means to break the barriers and shoot into the sky, aiming for the stars because leadership is a rare commodity and in her, we see somebody that will be able to promote the African agenda and unite the world through sport,” emphasised Hamutumwa.

He said Coventry is a decorated Olympian and, following her career as an athlete, transcended her excellence in the Olympic movement where she was a chairperson of the athlete’s commission of the world.

Hamutumwa said the new IOC president, who amassed seven olympic medals in the swimming discipline, was assigned various roles by former IOC president Thomas Bach.

“Through that she honed her leadership skills and has been a very prominent leader within the Olympic movement. That propelled her to be a potential leader of the Olympic movement, ascending to the highest office of the IOC.”

He said Coventry’s win was not a surprise, despite various challenges from other competent and reputable leaders within the Olympic movement. He said she has proven herself over the years as fierce and competitive both on the playing field as well as in the boardroom.

“Coventry deserves to be elected at the highest office,” stressed Hamutumwa.