On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) and the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) have signed a landmark Co-operation Agreement aimed at advancing sports development, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting the core values of Olympism and the Commonwealth Sport Movement in both countries.
The agreement was formally signed by Mr. Adam Mthethwa, President of EOCGA, and Mr. Alain Alcindor, President of SOCGA, with the proceedings witnessed by Mr. Maxwell Jele, Secretary General of EOCGA, and Ms. Fatime Kanté, Secretary General of SOCGA. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing physical education, strengthening athlete connections, and promoting peace through sport.
“This agreement represents a major step forward in our mission to empower athletes and advance sport in our nations,” said Mr. Mthethwa. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we expect to achieve greater progress in athlete development, anti-doping education, and the promotion of ethical sports practices, creating a lasting positive impact.”
Mr. Alcindor added, “This collaboration will create new opportunities for our athletes, coaches, and administrators, reinforcing our dedication to the Olympic Charter and Commonwealth Games principles. We are confident it will provide lasting benefits and strong support for our sporting communities.”
The agreement sets out key areas of collaboration, including:
- Athlete & Coach Development: Education, training, talent identification, high-performance sport strategies, and athlete welfare.
- Operational & Strategic Enhancement: Resource mobilization, event management, human resources, sports science, IT, strategic planning, governance, ethics, safeguarding, anti-doping measures, and gender equity.
- Exchanges & Knowledge Sharing: Bilateral and multilateral exchanges for athletes, coaches, officials, and experts, along with regular sharing of insights on Olympic and Commonwealth Sport matters.
- Core Values & Integrity: Upholding the Olympic Charter and Commonwealth Games Federation Constitution, promoting Olympism, fostering mutual understanding, and standing against all forms of racial discrimination.
The agreement takes effect immediately and will span the current Olympic Quadrennial Cycle, with provisions for annual reviews and planning of future projects and exchanges. Both EOCGA and SOCGA envisage a dynamic and productive partnership that will enhance sports performance and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation within the Commonwealth sporting community.