All the influential figures in African sport will meet in Dakar, from May 3 to 5, 2013, for the 7rd edition of the International Convention of Sport in Africa (CISA). Discussion forum, sports exhibition and essential meeting place, this summit meeting promises to be a key moment of spring. As proof, the presence in Dakar of several members of the IOC and that, highly anticipated, of the three candidate cities for the 2020 Games. Diamil Faye, the initiator of the event, details it for FrancsJeux the content and the issues. Interview.
FrancsJeux : How does the 7 look?rd CISA edition?
Diamil Faye: Alright. Today we have more than a hundred registered people, we should reach at least 200 participants. But we had to work harder because the Convention was initially planned for Burkina Faso. Difficulties in the preparations forced us to move back to Dakar, Senegal, where we have better control of things. Everything was organized in just three months.
What will be the highlights of CISA 2013?
This convention has established itself, since its creation in 2007, as a privileged moment of dialogue and exchange between the actors of African sport: members of the IOC, national and international federations, national Olympic committees... We should be able to count on the presence of six or seven members of the IOC, whose names will be communicated soon. The event is organized around a triptych: financing of sport, hosting of international events in Africa, sport and tourism. On the sidelines of the convention, we are organizing a two-day training session for African sports journalists. It will bring together around fifty media professionals, half of whom are from Senegal. They will have the opportunity to meet foreign speakers, notably from RFI and Canal France International, who will share their knowledge.
Will the 2020 Games candidate cities Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo be represented in Dakar?
Yes. All three were invited. They will be present. Even though I work for Tokyo 2020, CISA is a neutral event. But the IOC regulations do not authorize us to offer them a stand or the opportunity for a presentation. They can only buy advertising in the official magazine of the event and in the Directory of African Sport.
How is African sport doing today?
We are growing, but still too timidly. In football, the continent has emerged for several years as a land of international events. Elsewhere, we are behind. A central African country is scrambling to host a major athletics event. And we are talking more and more about the Olympic Games in Africa. But perhaps we should position ourselves on the Youth Olympic Games, a cheaper and more affordable organization for African countries.
What importance do the Francophonie Games, organized in Nice next September, have for African sport?
A great importance. These Games provide an opportunity for our athletes to compete against other nations. However, in Africa, we often lack international confrontations. They also allow a mixing of the French-speaking world. Finally, they give certain African countries the opportunity to continue their learning in the organization of major events. Niger received them. Ivory Coast will host them in 2017.
At the start of the Olympics, do you see new faces emerging among the leaders in African sport?
Yes. I don't want to name names, but a new generation of leaders is currently emerging, particularly in the national Olympic committees. The old ones are still there, but lesser known, younger faces are starting to appear.
