ANOCA has outlined its Athlete Support Programme, which aims to help the cream of Africa’s athletes prepare for and qualify for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
The programme seeks to provide financial, technical and logistical support to elite African athletes, enabling them to focus on preparations to reach their full potential at LA2028.
The ANOCA Athlete Support Programme offers a unique opportunity for African athletes to achieve their Olympic dreams, and ANOCA President Mustapha BERRAF was unequivocal about its relevance when he stated that:
‘‘We are convinced that this programme will help strengthen Africa’s presence on the world Olympic stage and inspire the next generation of African athletes. I urge African respective states to provide significant support to their athletes. This means providing the necessary resources to help our athletes and Olympic movements prepare adequately and participate extraordinarily in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. I would like to thank Olympic Solidarity, which is already providing Olympic scholarships for our athletes. ANOCA provides grants for athletes through its African Athlete Support Programme. Joining efforts with African states provides greater opportunities, guaranteeing success for Africa in LA2028.’’
ANOCA has allocated a $2 million budget in scholarships for LA2028, and the ANOCA Athlete Support Programme for LA2028 is set to begin in March 2026.
Athlete support is invaluable, enabling more athletes to qualify for the Games. All NOCs with eligible athletes are therefore encouraged to participate in the programme to ensure their athletes receive appropriate support and are better prepared.
Support includes access to appropriate training facilities, coaching by discipline-specific expert coaches, regular medical and clinical check-ups and appropriate actions, accident and health insurance, board and lodging, pocket allowances, and partial coverage of travel expenses for athletes participating in relevant Olympic qualifiers.
Priority individual sports were selected based on past performances of African athletes in major competitions and the Olympic Games.
These are Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Swimming, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Other Olympic sports featuring on the LA2028 programme may be considered, provided athletes meet ANOCA criteria:
- Be a medallist at the Olympic Games Paris 2024;
- Be among the world’s top 10 in the seven priority sports;
- Be among the world’s top 10 in an Olympic discipline as of 31 December 2025.
Suffice it to note that the scholarship programme had a decisive impact during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with the memorable success of African athletes. Outstanding performances were recorded, as the programme had helped athletes get quality preparation and to compete at the highest level.
Forty-nine athletes from various NOCs received financial, technical and logistical support. Of the 49 athletes, 33 qualified for Paris 2024, representing a 67% qualification rate. Among these athletes, 8 won a total of 10 medals in athletics, pentathlon, swimming and taekwondo.
Africa shone in athletics, with two gold and three silver medals, consolidating its reputation in this discipline. These performances were praised by many sports leaders around the globe, including Mustapha BERRAF, who said that the:
‘‘… performances reflect Africa’s immense potential when supported by structured and ambitious initiatives.’’
As for LA2028, the ANOCA Scholarship Programme will put African athletes in the same exceptional conditions to ensure exciting and promising performances for the benefit of African sport, thus highlighting the positive impact of the tangible initiatives implemented by ANOCA for African athletes.