African Report: CISA in Jo-Burg, Maputo Prepares All African Games

CISA in Johannesburg Suburb

The fourth edition of the African Sports Convention closes in the Johannesburg suburb of Ekurhuleni with about 100 delegates attending.

Organized by Senegal sports event expert Diamil Faye and his company Jappo (with assistance from the South Africa NOC), CISA 2010 took advantage of the impending World Cup to draw upon a number of themes for the three-day program.

The economic and social impact of the World Cup, just under 50 days away was covered during the opening session, with other panels exploring the TV coverage of the event in Africa and how the World Cup has improved football infrastructure across Africa.

"The World Cup is a stepping stone," said Dr. Robin Peterson, a sport event expert who helped craft the strategy for the failed 2006 bid and subsequently successful 2010 bid.

Frequent references were made throughout the convention to the possibilities the World Cup raises for an Olympic bid from South Africa, though IOC member Sam Ramsamy cautioned that the FIFA tournament was no guarantee that the 2020 Olympics are destined for Africa for the first time.

Other IOC members at the 2010 CISA included Frank Fredericks of Namibia, Patrick Chamunda of Zambia, Sergey Bubka of Ukraine and Lassana Palenfo, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, the patron of CISA.

The 2009 edition of CISA, coming six months before the IOC vote for the 2016 Olympics, drew representatives from the four bid cities, which also purchased stands on the exhibit floor.

This year, observers from the three bidders for the 2018 Winter Games, Annecy, Munich and PyeongChang had a more low-key presence as international campaigning is not permitted at this stage of the race.

Jean-Pierre Vidal, the chair of the Annecy sustainable development advisory group, was at most of the sessions. Vidal won the slalom gold medal at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. Former IOC marketing expert for Africa Laurent Scharapan was also on hand to advise Vidal on his foray to South Africa.

The Japanese Olympic Committee was the only NOC outside of Africa represented at CISA, with vice president Masato Mizuno and international relations staff member Senji Ishikawa.

The 2011 edition of CISA is now planned to return to Ekurhuleni, which is providing financial and logistical assistance as part of the city’s efforts to attract international events. The Oliver Tambo International Airport, South Africa’s main airport, lies within the city limits of Ekurhuleni.

Maputo On Track for 2011 All African Games

Given just two years to prepare, the leader of the organizing committee for the 2011 All African Games told delegates that preparations were on schedule for the games in Maputo, Mozambique.

After Zambia dropped out as the 2011 host in late 2008, the Mozambique capital was selected as the back-up host one year ago.

Penalva Cezar, deputy director general, said that the main stadium for the games is more than half completed, targeted to be finished in November.

An aquatics center, two indoor arenas, tennis courts and a rowing/canoe venue are also on the to-do list.

The biggest project remaining is the athletes village, for which a construction company has just been hired. Underwriting of the project by the Mozambique government to the tune of $100 million has just been finalized, enabling construction to move ahead. The village will be used for public housing after the games.

The 10th All African Games are scheduled for Sep. 3 to 18. The program includes 24 sports and 6500 athletes and officials are supposed to take part.

This could be the last edition of the All African Games to be held under the banner of the Supreme Council of African Sports, a body composed of government sports ministers. Efforts are underway to transfer organization to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa. But the move is a controversial one that is receiving push-back from the government leaders, despite an often problematic history with staging the event under the control of African governments.

Written by Ed Hula.