ANOCA honours Eswatini with gold
LOBAMBA – ANOCA has presented Eswatini with a gold award in honour of the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association’s (EOCGA) 50th Anniversary.
ANOCA denotes Association of National Olympics Committees for Africa. The association’s President Mustapha Berraf, represented by his Vice President Motlohang Moiloa-Ramoqoqo presented the honours to the country’s Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, during a courtesy visit at the Happy Valley Hotel yesterday.
This was before the double celebrations held at the OlympAfrica Centre progressed later on the day. The celebration was not only about 50 years of existence but also the opening of new offices to house EOCGA as its headquarters.
The 10-menber ANOCA delegation then joined the PM for the official inauguration of EOCGA new headquarters at OlympAfrica Centre. Some of the other dignitaries included ANOCA Zone VI President Alfred Fokolo, ANOCA Programmes Manager Ezera Tshabangu, as well as NOCs from Mozambique, Lesotho and South Africa.
Also present was Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, EOCGA executive committee led by its President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mtsetfwa, Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darius Dlomo, among others. Delivering his remarks after touring the new facility and cutting the ribbon, the premier thanked the King for giving EOCGA the piece of land.
“Let me thank His Majesty, the King for having contributed this piece of land. If you are a property owner in this country, you will know how much it costs, but this was graciously donated. I want to say the reason behind this donation is not to get closer to the King but it’s for sports,” the PM said.
The offices are assembled in almost two hectares piece of land. Dlamini also thanked the international community and ANOCA for their financial support. “Let me also thank the international community that contributed with the funds. I’m told that the project cost just over E2.5 million. That’s not a small amount of money, and I know our NOC by no means, would have not afforded that money. I want to thank them for making it possible for us to have this building today,” Dlamini said.
He also shared that he discovered that the offices were beautiful, while also expressing relief that the recent storm in the area did not cause significant damage to the structure.