IOC donates to youth

NAMIBIA stands to benefit from a special donation of about N$350 000 from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The announcement was made by IOC President Jacques Rogge during his one-day visit to the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) on Monday. Rogge, who was on a fact-finding mission to Namibia this week, said the donation would go towards youth development in the country.The donation is part of a number of projects that will be implemented by the IOC, Rogge said.The other projects include the appointment of a physiotherapist for the NNOC as well as scholarships for athletes and coaches and talent identification and training for athletes.Rogge was pleased with the co-operation between the IOC and the NNOC, saying the NNOC has a good system and organisation.Rogge was also delighted that the NNOC is led by a woman, Agnes Tjongarero, since the IOC strives to promote the role of women.He was also pleased with the fact that the NNOC can rely on former Olympic medallist Frank Fredericks, who is an NNOC executive committee member as well as the chairman of the IOC Athletes Commission, amongst other roles.Asked what the IOC is doing to help African countries host the Olympic Games in future, Rogge said that he would be delighted if that could happen.The IOC is helping Africa as much as possible and is already assisting all National Olympic Committees with more than N$460 million yearly – “money that they deserve,” he said.Rogge added that there is good potential for Africa to host the Olympics, citing South Africa’s winning bid to host the 2010 Football World Cup.Rogge also expressed hope that South Africa and other African countries would submit their bids to host the prestigious event in future.In 1997, Cape Town in South Africa lost the bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games.He was pleased with some of Namibia’s sports facilities in Olympia, saying that a mini-Olympic village was already under construction in the area.During his visit, Rogge called on Prime Minister Nahas Angula and President Hifikepunye Pohamba.Rogge also visited South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia.NampaRogge, who was on a fact-finding mission to Namibia this week, said the donation would go towards youth development in the country.The donation is part of a number of projects that will be implemented by the IOC, Rogge said.The other projects include the appointment of a physiotherapist for the NNOC as well as scholarships for athletes and coaches and talent identification and training for athletes.Rogge was pleased with the co-operation between the IOC and the NNOC, saying the NNOC has a good system and organisation.Rogge was also delighted that the NNOC is led by a woman, Agnes Tjongarero, since the IOC strives to promote the role of women.He was also pleased with the fact that the NNOC can rely on former Olympic medallist Frank Fredericks, who is an NNOC executive committee member as well as the chairman of the IOC Athletes Commission, amongst other roles.Asked what the IOC is doing to help African countries host the Olympic Games in future, Rogge said that he would be delighted if that could happen.The IOC is helping Africa as much as possible and is already assisting all National Olympic Committees with more than N$460 million yearly – “money that they deserve,” he said.Rogge added that there is good potential for Africa to host the Olympics, citing South Africa’s winning bid to host the 2010 Football World Cup.Rogge also expressed hope that South Africa and other African countries would submit their bids to host the prestigious event in future.In 1997, Cape Town in South Africa lost the bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games.He was pleased with some of Namibia’s sports facilities in Olympia, saying that a mini-Olympic village was already under construction in the area.During his visit, Rogge called on Prime Minister Nahas Angula and President Hifikepunye Pohamba.Rogge also visited South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia.Nampa