Togo: The Togo National Olympic Committee continues its modernization program

Sport in Togo is preparing for a new chapter of modernization and professionalism under the leadership of the country’s National Olympic Committee (NOC). Deladem Akpaki, President of the NOC-TOGO, is currently leading a concerted effort to improve the protection of Togolese athletes, in line with International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines.

One of the main thrusts of this modernization is to strengthen athlete protection. To this end, the NOC-TOGO has issued a directive requiring all affiliated sports federations to declare their elite athletes. This declaration must be accompanied by a valid medical certificate and proof of personal liability and accident insurance. This measure is designed to ensure that athletes are properly taken care of in the event of injuries or incidents related to their participation in their respective disciplines.

The NOC-TOGO’s initiative stems from the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which encourages National Olympic Committees to adopt professional practices in sports management. The ultimate aim is to offer greater protection to Togolese athletes, while reinforcing the credibility of sport in the country.

However, this transition to professionalism and the modernization of sport is not without its challenges. Currently, three sports federations in Togo are not yet in compliance with these recommendations: soccer, rugby and taekwondo. These federations are expected to comply with the NOC-TOGO directives in the coming months.

President Deladem Akpaki, while acknowledging the challenges presented by these changes, remains optimistic that the problems will be resolved quickly. He asserted that everything would be sorted out in the coming months, ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, a major event which will showcase the talent and determination of Togolese athletes.

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