Works of the 21st Ordinary session of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) opened Thursday in the resort city of Yasmine Hammamet with the participation of 52 African Olympic Committees.

The event is part of the 2nd African Beach Games due on June 23-30.

In a speech delivered remotely, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach extended thanks to Tunisia for organising this second edition. He also said he is confident in the success of this event which will anchor the values of African solidarity and brotherhood for a more beautiful world through sports.

The ANOCA Ordinary Session which is taking place one year before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will help African Olympic committees step up efforts to secure an honorable participation of African athletes in the Paris Olympic Games and achieve better results than those in Tokyo Games. Better conditions for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will also be debated.

The 21st ANOCA Ordinary Session, Bach said, will be an opportunity to prepare the ground for enhanced performances by African Athletes and demonstrate Africa's ability to win the bet of organising international events.

Minister of Youth and Sports Kamal Deguiche laid emphasis on the importance of Tunisia's organisation of the African Beach Games and the country's keenness to uphold the embedded values of fraternity and solidarity.

ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf said this ordinary session offers the opportunity to emphasise the importance of the contribution of African Olympic committees to supporting African sports and athletes and promoting sport governance.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse