Meeting the Minister from left is Mr. Pape Ndao the interpreter, Mr. Senghor Leopold 1st Vice President, Ms. Safietou Diatta, 2nd Advisor to the Minister, Dr. Ralethe Malumbete FASU President, Peninnah Kabenge FASU Secretary General, Mr. Faustin Diatta Mi
DAKAR – The newly elected Executive Committee of FASU held its maiden Executive Committee meeting from the 29th – 31st October 2010 in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal at Hotel Almadies. With the challenges of strategic planning, building a united Africa, rebranding and promotion of FASU, the EXCO had to deliberate on the future of FASU at the meeting hosted by the 1st Vice-President Mr. Leopold Senghor.
The Executive Committee was warmly received on the first day by the representative of the National University Sports Federation of Senegal Mr. Mamadou Fall. In his welcome address he wished the executive committee good deliberation and appreciated the gesture of considering Senegal for the historical meeting.
The Executive Committee members started business with a courtesy call to the Minister of Sports Mr. Faustin DIATTA to forge a good working relationship for the future of FASU. On behalf of FASU the President Dr. Malumbete Ralethe appealed to the Minister to strategically partner with FASU for the development of sports in Africa using university as the medium. He also appealed to the Minister to champion the cause of University Sports in the West Africa region and more specifically in the franchophone countries. In retariation, the Minister pledged to work hand in hand with FASU to promote sports on the continent, which has abundant untapped talent. From the meeting with the Minister FASU is specifically happy with the committment to developing University Sports in Senegal, francophone countries, and Africa at large. We believe that with such a good spirit from leaders in government, Senegal shall play a pivotal role in the development of FASU.
On the Second day the Executive Committee members were privilegded to be hosted at the historical Goree Island by the mayor ably represented by the Secretary of the Municipality Mr. Djibril Ndiaye. Excitement engulfed the citizen of Goree Island on learning that FASU had taken special interest in Senegal as a key player in the development of sports in Africa.
“We look forward to working closely with you towards the development of University Sports on the African continent and the world at large” Mr. Djibri Ndiaye assured the members.
During the meeting, members were excited that the General Assembly held in August 2010 in Kampala, Uganda put confidence in them to steer and spearhead the development of FASU. Members then reflected on the General assembly deliberations. Therefore, it was unanimously agreed that there is need to rebrand FASU into an attractive corporate organisation. This shall take commitment and support in developing structures that improve on the professional way of administering FASU duties. Timely implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly 2010 that included completion of the Strategic Plan, constitutional review, increasing membership to FASU and the overall promotion of FASU as a body were placed high on the agenda.
Building relationship with the other Africa sports organisation to solve Africa’s problems was also considered as a priority. On this note members noted the 27th Seminar for Secretary Generals of African National Olympic Committees to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 3rd to 4th November 2010 and agreed to take advantage of this seminar and meet with the various representatives from African National Olympic Committees in a bid to woe those countries that are not yet members of FASU and FISU.
Also considered were the regional projects of the various zones that were tabled. Of interest to note are the following:
- The East Africa University sports symposium to be held from 16th -18th November at Kenyatta University, Kenya.
- The 7th East Africa University Games to take place from 16th -22nd December 2010 at Kenyatta University, Kenya
- The East Africa Athletics grand prix to fine tune the East African University Students for the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen.
- Annual General Congress of CUCSA to take place in Luanda, Angola in November 2010.
(Source: FASU)
After the tour of the slave house on Goree Island