Mbalula at Olympic assembly

Johannesburg - Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula attended the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (Anoc) in Russia on Tuesday.

Mbalula and SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Gideon Sam met Anoc president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad Al-Sabah in Moscow in an effort to strengthen the Olympic movement in Africa.

"South Africa is one of the most strategic partners in the success of the Olympic movement in the continent," said Mbalula.

"Sheik shared his vision with us about Olympic development in Africa."

South Africa made presentations through Sam, who talked about "Sport and the Olympic movement, including attracting and maximising major events as catalysts for development".

International Olympic Committe executive board member Sam Ramsamy made a presentation on "The development of collaborative public policy linking the benefits of sports to education and health".

Anoc brings together 1 000 leaders of the Olympic movement from over 205 countries. The assembly gives olympic committees from five continents the chance to exchange views on making the Olympic movement stronger, and protecting the interests of athletes.