Namibia National Olympic Committee chief executive Anri Parker has urged southern African sport bodies to strengthen regional cooperation and resource sharing to boost performance.
She made the call at the just-concluded Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca) Zone VI seminar held at Ezulwini, Eswatini.
Parker said the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) and Commonwealth Games Association (NNOC-CGA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation at the seminar that brought together National Olympic Committees from across southern Africa.
The seminar discussed the implementation of the Anoca Zone VI Strategic Plan, regional integration, high-performance sport, athlete welfare, safeguarding, clean sport and the relationship between Anoca Zone VI and African Union Sports Council Region 5.
Parker said the discussions highlighted the need for National Olympic Committees in the region to move beyond operating independently and to establish a more coordinated and sustainable system of cooperation.
“This includes sharing expertise, facilities, training opportunities, policies, operational resources and specialist services.”
She said the region has an important opportunity to use its collective strengths more strategically.
“Our countries face many similar challenges, but we also possess significant knowledge, facilities, programmes and expertise that can be shared.
“By working together in areas such as athlete development, coaching, safeguarding, anti-doping, sport medicine, administration, human resources, media and technology, Zone VI can use its collective resources more effectively and create stronger pathways for our athletes.”
Parker said greater regional collaboration would enable smaller National Olympic Committees to access specialist knowledge and services that may not always be available domestically.
“We must break down the silos and develop one connected regional sporting ecosystem. Cooperation should be practical and measurable, with countries sharing what they do well while also benefiting from the strengths of their neighbours.
“Our athletes and coaches should be able to experience the region as one broader high-performance environment.”
She said the NNOC will advocate for a regional cooperation framework that includes shared training camps, athlete and coach exchanges, access to high-performance facilities, specialist support services, coordinated competition calendars and common operational templates in areas such as governance, safeguarding, anti-doping, medical services, communications and administration.
Parker said the proposed approach will include stronger communication among the secretaries general and chief executives of Zone VI National Olympic Committees, supported by regular progress reporting and clearly identified areas of responsibility.
“The outcomes of the seminar will inform Namibia’s continued preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and other major international competitions, while supporting the long-term development of athletes, coaches, administrators and national sports federations throughout the region,” she said.
