D – 3 in the race for the presidency of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ACNOA). The seat left vacant by the Ivorian Lassana Palenfo, forced to hand over the keys to his office by a decision of the CAS, is coveted by four leaders: the Burundian Lydia Nsekera, the Algerian Mustapha Berraf, the Cameroonian Hamad Kalkaba Malboun, and the Batswana Negroes Kgosietsile.
Two days before the vote, scheduled for Thursday November 29 in Tokyo, on the sidelines of the ANOC general assembly, everything seems possible. Interim president for several months, Mustapha Berraf (photo above) is already in place. Sufficient ? The Algerian answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : What is the main reason that pushed you to run for president of ANOCA?
Mustapha Berraf : I have served as vice-president for four terms, with all the necessary loyalty and availability. With my colleagues on the executive committee, we have obtained good results in the management and resolution of conflicts, as well as in the functioning of our institution. We implemented reforms that propelled ANOCA to the forefront of the international sporting scene. After the early departure of Lassana Palenfo, we decided to ensure continuity, while making some essential adjustments to make ANOCA more efficient and better respected. My decision to run was made by mutual agreement with my colleagues. I believe I am the consensus candidate.
What are the three strong ideas of your program?
Firstly, continue the activities already carried out and perfect the organization. To summarize my action plan in three points, I would firstly put the need to restore the image of African sport, in a spirit of fraternity, solidarity and tolerance. To do this, it will be necessary to establish more responsible, sincere and lasting relationships between confederations, ministerial sports bodies and national Olympic committees. Furthermore, I want to provide ANOCA with all the human and material resources necessary for its administration. To achieve this, management systems will be digitized and communication methods professionalized. A training and continuous upgrading plan will also be put in place. A marketing program will be implemented. We will also make sure to make our Games more attractive, by giving them a more qualifying character. Finally, my third priority will be to establish equity and parity between both sexes in governance. To do this, we will amend our statutes to add incentive measures for women. We will strengthen our efforts to protect the environment and humanitarian issues, through the promotion of sport and Olympics. The refugee problem will also be one of our major concerns.
How is ANOCA currently doing?
We haven't had any tension for a year. ANOCA is today in an interim phase, with permanent consultation between all members of the executive committee. Until now, we have not had any problems, either among ourselves or with our peers, in making ANOCA work. Those who claim the opposite are perhaps hoping to gain support from the few people who are poorly informed about the situation. But procedures follow their course normally, relations are marked by cordiality and decisions are taken in complete democracy.
You have held the interim presidency of ANOCA for several months. Could this not constitute an advantage likely to distort the game against other candidates?
The campaign for the presidency was open to all members of the general assembly. Everyone could participate. It’s up to voters to choose. We have the ambition to bring everyone together around a common project and an action plan which, although ambitious, will meet the expectations of the African Olympic movement. My experience and that of my colleagues constitute the major asset to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the institution. I also want to point out, modestly, that I presided over the restructuring of ANOCA and the establishment of procedures to ensure model operation.
Senegal has just obtained the organization of the Youth Games in 2022. Should this event prepare Africa for an Olympic candidacy for the Summer Games in 2032?
The IOC's decision to award the 2022 YOG to Senegal is excellent news for our continent. It highlights Africa’s capacity to organize global events. Concerning a candidacy for the Summer Games in 2032, it is a dream which will certainly be accomplished thanks to the exceptional efforts made by African countries and by my colleagues from the national Olympic committees. Their skills are beginning to be recognized in the rest of the world, despite the limited resources at their disposal.
