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IOC president, Dr.Thomas Bach commissioning the ANOCA secretariat in Abuja on Thursday
By Raphael Ekpang
The International Olympics Committee IOC President, Thomas Bach has commissioned the Secretariat of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa ( ANOCA) in Abuja on Thursday.
While commissioning the ANOCA secretariat, Mr. Bach disclosed that year 2022 will be dedicated for youth Olympics, noting that he is confident that Africa countries will demonstrate to the whole world the power of sports in the continent.
However, the Minister Youth and sports, Mr. Sunday Dare described the event as a landmark in the development of sports on the continent of Africa, adding that it is a day that the entire black race should be proud of.
He noted that as Nigerians, we are proud to be a major contributor to the actualization of this age long dream.
ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria
“Aside the obvious fact of the Commissioning of the Building that would from today be the administrative and technical hub of sports administration on the continent, we also have in our midst, the leaders of the world governing body for sports, ably led by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach.
“The journey to this day started some 13 years ago when Nigeria alongside 6 other African countries bided to host the Headquarters of ANOCA and become the Olympic capital of Africa. After a rigorous selection process, Nigeria was eventually selected as the Host Country for the umbrella body of the Olympic movement in Africa at the General Assembly, which took place in Kenya in June, 2006.
“With the selection and signing of the Headquarters Cooperation Agreement on February 21, 2007, the ANOCA Secretariat, hitherto in Yaoundé, Cameroon was moved to Abuja, Nigeria.
“While biding as a Host Country, the Federal Republic Nigeria had promised to build a benefiting Headquarters for the continental body. On the road to fulfilling that promise, the foundation laying ceremony for the building was performed on July 6, 2009, by Dr. Jacques Rogge, the immediate past President of the International Olympic Committee.
“I must say we are indeed lucky to also have present here today to commission the building, the
