African Olympic Movement Gathering In Marrakech

(ATR) Leaders of the Olympic Movement in Africa are meeting in Marrakech for the fifth annual Africa International Sports Convention (CISA).

The gathering will feature discussions on the big topics for African Olympism, including whether Africa is ready to bid for and stage the Olympics.

Other topics on the agenda include a review of last year’s Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and FIFA World Cup in South Africa, anti-doping work throughout the continent, and how to develop sport and elite athletes in Africa.

IOC members, NOC leaders and the three 2018 bid cities are expected to be out in full force for the four-day conference.

So too will ATR editor Ed Hula, who will moderate a panel titled "The road to 2020: Is Africa ready to host the Olympic Games?"

IOC vice president Ser Miang Ng, Rio Coordination Commission chair Nawal El Moutawakel, IAAF vice president SergeiBubka and International Triathlon Union president Marisol Casado are among the speakers for the three-day conference.

TOP sponsor Samsung is an official partner of CISA.

CISA is organized by JAPPO, a consulting firm for African sport, and the National Olympic Committee of Morocco and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

Hotel Kenzi Farah in downtown Marrakech is the venue for this year’s event.

Organizers stress that Morocco, located in North Africa, has not seen the political uprisings some of its neighbors have experienced in recent weeks.

A statement says "holiday makers have recently been using a city like Marrakech as a main destination after cancelling their trips to Tunisia or Egypt."

Written by Ed Hula III.