LNOC to launch Olympic Academy

The National Olympic Academy will be launched at the Bambatha Ts'ita Sports Arena on Saturday, January 25, Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) secretary general Mofihli Makoele has announced.

In an interview with LENA, "Chepha" Makoele said the academy will promote understanding of olympism among local sports people through training. The launching will consist mainly of a training workshop on issues related to Olympics for executive members of the country's sports associations.

It will cover topics such as the role of the NOC in national sports issues; the relationship between the sports organizations, the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Commission and; the responsibilities of sports associations in the development of Olympic sports.

The workshop will also provide communication skills  to the participants to help enhance the free flow of information within the associations as well as provide lessons on cooperation with the media to facilitate communication with the public and with other partners, he said.

Plans are that the academy will be in place for a five year period, sponsored by the International Olympic Solidarity. Bad experiences as a result of a lack of knowledge and understanding about Olympic issues had prompted the establishment, Makoele said.  

22 January 2004