GABORONE – The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has urged African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Federations to continue working hard in fostering the Olympic spirit on the continent.

Bach, an Olympic gold medal winner at Montreal in 1976, made the call while closing the just concluded 2nd African Youth Games in Gaborone.

He admitted that much as the hosts had their fair share of logistical challenges, the sportsmanship spirit prevailed in Gaborone.

"You can complain about organisation, you can complain about accommodation and transport. But if you look at the fire in the eyes of athletes, you look at the bright future of Africa. You see ambitious and happy young athletes who know what they have done,” Bach told the crowd inside the National Stadium in Gaborone.

He urged NOCs and international federations to make their [athletes] dreams come true.  He urged the federations to make sure that the development of sport happens all over the world and that Africa can lead by example.

"This is why I’m confident that we will continue the cooperation within the International Olympic Committee and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) to strengthen and bring more development to the athletes,” he said.

Three-nation visit

During the visit, Bach also met with IOC members in Africa to discuss a range of topics, including the Olympic Agenda 2020. The group exchanged ideas on the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement and the contribution that Africa could make.

Bach is in Africa on a three-nation tour that will also include stops in Kenya and Ethiopia.  The Games, which opened on May 22, attracted more than 2,500 athletes from 54 countries.

The Rwanda team, which won two bronze medals in boxing and volleyball, returned home yesterday at midday aboard RwandAir after an overnight stay in Johannesburg.