Latest news with #OlympicSolidarity
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sports minister Mandaviya to meet Usha, EC members to resolve IOA impasse
New Delhi: Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will meet the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and executive committee members to discuss ways to end the long-standing governance crisis in the apex sports body, it has been learnt. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, sports minister Mansukh Mandviya and IOA President PT Usha. (PTI) Usha and the EC members have been at loggerheads and that has severely impacted IOA's functioning. The EC has not ratified the appointment of Usha-backed CEO Raghuram Iyer. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised the governance issue with the Indian delegation that went to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne recently to discuss India's bid for the 2036 Olympics. Due to the governance issues, IOC has suspended its Olympic Solidarity grants to IOA. In the last few days, Mandaviya has made attempts to bring Usha and EC members to the negotiating table. He has held informal meetings with the EC members. It has been learnt that Usha too has reached out to a few EC members in her bid to break the ice. As reported by HT, the IOA truce started with Usha including treasurer Sahdev Yadav and EC member Bhupender Bajwa in a panel to set a roadmap for the delayed Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections. Iyer, too, has spoken to some EC members. An official said his appointment is likely to be ratified now with certain renegotiations. 'A middle way is being worked out to break the deadlock,' the member said.
Times of Oman
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Al-Harthi to participate in international training program in the United States
Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) has successfully secured a scholarship for participation in the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), which will take place in the United States from July 2025 to April 2026. National basketball coach Khalid Hamad Al-Harthi, from Oman Basketball Association, has been selected to participate in this program. This initiative comes as part of the technical support programs offered by Olympic Solidarity of the International Olympic Committee for the 2025–2028 cycle. The ICECP is considered one of the most prestigious and intensive educational programs for coaches. It is organized in collaboration between Olympic Solidarity and the University of Delaware, and includes a wide range of educational components such as field visits, group work, presentations, lectures, and project development. Participants will also benefit from the insights of guest speakers from various sports disciplines. The program targets coaches from all Olympic sports, with priority given to coaches in archery, athletics, basketball, fencing, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, shooting, and wrestling. The first phase of the program will begin on July 15 via the University of Delaware's online platform. This will be followed by an in-person module at the university from October 16 to 22, and a third module from October 23 to 26. Participants will then take part in field-based training visits at specialized locations until November 1. The fifth module will be held in the coach's home country between November 2025 and March 2026, and the program will conclude with a final module in Lausanne, Switzerland, in April 2026. This program presents a unique opportunity for the Omani coach to acquire advanced knowledge and exchange experiences with elite international coaches, thereby contributing to the development of Oman's technical sports system. It is worth noting that the Olympic Solidarity Department at OOC continuously strives to benefit from as many international Olympic Solidarity programs as possible. This ensures the expansion of technical and knowledge-based support for athletes, coaches, and sports professionals through ongoing coordination with sports federations and committees to apply for available programs and scholarships, ultimately enhancing the overall sports ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Olympic Solidarity and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) support Dakar 2026 Learning Academy opportunities for African National Olympic Committees (NOCs)
Talent from territories from all African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will have the opportunity to join the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) through the Learning Academy ( This will be made possible thanks to the support of Olympic Solidarity and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). This major new opportunity, aimed at ensuring broad representation and greater capacity-building across the continent, was announced to the IOC ( Executive Board (EB) this week by Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange. Learning Academy opens doors for African NOCs at Dakar 2026 Recognising the potential impact of the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy NOC programme on the next generation of sports professionals in Africa, and in line with Olympic Solidarity's objective to strengthen NOC capacities, Olympic Solidarity and ANOCA will jointly contribute funding for Learning Academy scholarships. These scholarships will contribute towards travel and accommodation costs, ensuring broad engagement from African NOCs and potential participants. Details on the application process will be shared with NOCs after the summer, with selected participants expected to begin the Learning Academy in early 2026 before starting their roles within the YOGOC. The Learning Academy is designed to give promising young professionals from across Africa hands-on experience in sports management and event delivery. Each African NOC will be invited to nominate young professionals to join the Learning Academy. Selected participants will receive intensive two-week training in Dakar and then take up roles within the Organising Committee, helping to strengthen NOCs and building capacity across the continent. Over the next 16 months, a total of up to 400 young professionals, including the 53 candidates selected via the African NOCs, will be trained and integrated into the YOGOC – the first 41 participants have already taken up their roles. Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange said: 'Through the Learning Academy, we are creating a lasting legacy for the Olympic Movement, and one that could serve as a model for future host cities of the Youth Olympic Games or the Olympic Games, beginning here in Dakar.' The YOG Dakar 2026 ( will take place over two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world's best young athletes up to the age of 17. The Games will be held across three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).
CNA
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense
Belgium's stunning 67-65 victory over Spain on Sunday not only secured them consecutive EuroBasket titles, but also established them as Europe's most formidable basketball force with genuine global ambitions. The Belgian Cats have undergone one of the most remarkable transformations, evolving from an unranked nation in 2016 into a continental powerhouse. Claiming both their 2023 and 2025 titles despite trailing at half-time in both finals is just one of the extraordinary feats they have achieved, making them only the third nation after the Soviet Union and Spain to successfully defend the EuroBasket crown. Rising from continental hopefuls to global contenders, they have won four European medals since 2017 and secured fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. Now, they are setting their sights on conquering the global stage at the FIBA World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Funding from the Olympic Solidarity Team Support Grant for the 2021–24 period, combined with backing from the Belgian Olympic Committee, has accelerated their development. At last year's Paris Olympics, Belgium came tantalisingly close to their breakthrough moment, reaching the semi-finals before losing 81–75 to the eventual runners-up, France, in overtime. Their subsequent 85–81 bronze-medal loss to Australia left them in fourth place, agonisingly close to their first Olympic podium finish, but demonstrating their ability to compete with the global basketball elite. Coach Rachid Meziane, who led the team to their first European success, left in December to take up a position with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Mike Thibault, former coach of the Washington Mystics, took over in January and has continued to propel the team forward. MASTERFUL EXECUTION WITH GENERATIONAL BLEND Under Thibault's guidance, Belgium delivered a superb EuroBasket campaign, topping Group C after victories over Portugal, Montenegro and co-hosts Czech Republic. Their systematic approach has become their trademark, as evidenced by their dismantling of Germany by 24 points in the quarter-finals and their hard-fought 66–64 semi-final victory over Italy. Sunday's final epitomised Belgium's championship DNA. Spain seemed destined for their fifth European title when they established a commanding 65–53 lead with 2:56 left in the final quarter. However, Belgium's competitive spirit emerged in the crucial final minutes. Kyara Linskens, Emma Meesseman, and Julie Allemand combined to reduce the deficit to one point with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Antonia Delaere's decisive steal and layup completed the victory, leaving Spanish players burying their heads in disbelief in front of a raucous 7,827 crowd at the iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium - a record attendance for a Women's EuroBasket Final in the 21st century. The team's blend of experience and youth revolves around Meesseman, 32, the first player to win back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards. The former Washington Mystics power forward's historic achievement enhances her glittering career, which features a WNBA championship, a WNBA Finals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards. "It's still hard to believe — I've played a lot of games in my career, but never one like that, especially not in a final," Meesseman said. "It's a good reminder to never give up — in sport or in life." Veteran Julie Vanloo delivered vital assists, while the return of the injured Allemand proved crucial for excellent playmaking. Nastja Claessens, 20, emerged as an important addition, as demonstrated by her 14-point performance against Montenegro. Belgium's dynasty appears nascent, having transformed from a feel-good story into European royalty with their sights set on world domination.
Observer
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Coach Ammar al Kathiri joins ICAB programme
MUSCAT, JUNE 18 The Oman Basketball Association has announced the nomination of national coach Ammar al Kathiri to participate in the International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) programme. The initiative is organised by the University of Delaware in collaboration with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), with full support from the Olympic Solidarity programme. The programme will run from June to November 2025. The ICAB programme is recognised globally as a leading initiative in developing basketball coaches, combining academic instruction with practical field experience. It comprises four interconnected phases designed to enhance coaching capabilities through a blend of theoretical and practical learning. The first phase is an online module delivered twice monthly, featuring specialised lectures and applied assignments aimed at reinforcing modern coaching concepts. The second phase involves a two-day in-person module held on the University of Delaware campus, including interactive workshops and direct engagement with top training experts from the US. The third phase is a hands-on field experience in which participants are integrated into NCAA Division I basketball team programmes. This phase offers close-up exposure to professional coaching methods and team management systems. The programme concludes with a final in-person unit where participants return to the University of Delaware to present their acquired knowledge and propose a professional development plan tailored to the needs of their home environments. Coach Ammar al Kathiri will travel to the United States to participate in the in-person components of the programme, with all expenses covered by the Olympic Solidarity programme. In an exclusive statement, Al Kathiri expressed his pride and gratitude for the opportunity, saying Who wouldn't dream of learning basketball from its very source in America? Living daily with NCAA teams and observing their operations closely is every coach's dream. This is truly a priceless opportunity. He also appreciated the support of the OBA and the trust placed in him by the Technical Development Committee, adding This experience will be a turning point in my coaching career. We will be exposed to the latest theories and practices in the basketball world, and we'll return with practical knowledge that can help develop the game locally. For his part, Abu Bakr al Jahwari, Vic-President of the Oman Basketball Association (OBA) and Chairman of the Technical Development Committee, stated Coach Ammar's nomination aligns with the Association's strategy to empower national talents and expose them to world-class training experiences. We believe this investment will positively impact the future of basketball in Oman. He added Our partnership with Olympic Solidarity and the Oman Olympic Committee in such programs offers Omani coaches a unique opportunity to gain exposure to advanced methodologies and contribute to building a strong technical foundation for Omani basketball.
