Zimbabwe Olympic Committee uses ANOC fund for Tongogara Refugee Camp support initiative

On 25 September, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) held the Tongogara Refugee Camp support initiative which focused on safe and inclusive sport and Olympism.

The initiative took place at the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge-Manicaland which is home to over 15,000 people from the surrounding region.

Through funds received from ANOC and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) sports equipment including table tennis sets, soccer nets, volleyball nets and volleyballs, tennis shoes and a teqball table were donated to the camp.

Newman Gomendo, the ZOC Programs Officer shared a presentation on Olympism. He explained Olympism as a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.

There was also a presentation on safe sport and why it is important. Mr Mukanhairi looked at the risk factors and the identification of abusers. Gender based violence, harassment and abuse in sport was also discussed in detail. They will also look at developing the Safeguarding policy and strategy for the Refugee sports.

Basic judo skills and self-defence for girls were demonstrated and there was also teqball and table tennis training.