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CASOL’s Executive Meeting in Algeria: A New Dawn for African Olympic Sports
On Thursday, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the President of the Association of African Confederations of Olympic Sports (CASOL), emphasized the significance of the inaugural executive committee meeting held in Algiers, describing it as a pivotal moment for African Olympic sports. This meeting is seen as a foundational step for CASOL, which is poised to make substantial contributions to the promotion of sports in Africa on the global stage.
Kalkaba noted the historical nature of the gathering, emphasizing CASOL’s ambition to elevate African sports internationally. He stated, "This historic meeting solidifies the foundation of this new institution, which carries significant ambitions for the advancement of African sports." The executive session allowed members to outline an ambitious roadmap, focusing on essential missions to propel African sports to new heights.
By convening in Algiers, CASOL aims to convey a powerful message regarding Algeria’s central role in continental sports. Kalkaba highlighted Algeria’s rich history of struggles and victories, commitment to African causes, and modern infrastructure, positioning it as a vital partner in shaping the future of African sports.
Furthermore, the CASOL president, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the President of the African Athletics Confederation (AAC), elaborated on the organization’s significant missions. A key agenda item is the push for the African Games to serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He noted that discussions with the IOC on this matter are ongoing, expressing optimism about achieving this crucial objective.
Kalkaba urged African sports confederations to establish themselves better to advocate for their interests and assist athletes in achieving excellence. “Our mission is to defend the interests of African federations with partner organizations like ANOCA, ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), and the IOC, in order to amplify the voice of Africa in major international decisions,” he explained.
He also reaffirmed the commitment to support the organization of various continental sporting events, including the African Games, African Youth Games, and school sports games. These events should act as platforms showcasing the continent’s talent and excellence in Olympic sports.
CASOL was established during the general assembly held on October 12, 2024, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, comprising 28 African confederations responsible for various summer Olympic sports, representing a crucial backbone of sports on the continent. This inaugural executive meeting coincided with the 22nd ordinary general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), which is set to take place on March 14 and 15 at the International Conference Center (CIC) Abdelatif Rahal in Algiers.
Furthermore, the outgoing president, Mustapha Berraf from Algeria, is seeking re-election, reflecting a strong consensus among the 54 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for his continued leadership.
In conclusion, the first executive meeting of CASOL represents a significant milestone in African sports governance, laying the groundwork for future endeavors aimed at enhancing the profile of African athletes and sporting events globally. The collective ambitions of the CASOL leadership, as articulated by Kalkaba, signal a renewed commitment to strategic collaboration and advocacy for African participation in international sports arenas, ultimately aspiring to position African sports at the forefront of the global landscape.
