Staff Reporter
The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) have inked a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration, support, and exchange between the two organisations, aimed at enhancing the development of Olympic sports in both countries.
The MoU, signed on May 29, 2024, by LNOC President Tlali Rampooana and CONI President Giovanni Malagò, outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation in several key areas, including sports medicine, coach training, sports management, and infrastructure development.
“The parties promote cooperation between their respective sports institutions to benefit from the know-how and experience in the areas of promotion and management of sports infrastructure, sports planning, and marketing,” reads the MoU.
In addition to infrastructure and management, the MoU emphasises the importance of sports diplomacy and the mutual support of members and institutions in international sports positions.
“The parties undertake to support each other in the election of their members and institutions to international positions, in Sports Diplomacy and in the concertation of positions in international forums,” it adds.
A notable aspect of the agreement is the encouragement of national Olympic Federations to organise joint sporting events, facilitating competitions between national teams and athletes from both countries.
The MoU also envisions the exploration and development of additional partnerships under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), and Islamic Solidarity.
The agreement will remain in force for a fixed period of four years, with an option for renewal. Either party may terminate the MoU with a 60-day prior notice.
To implement the provisions of the MoU, both parties agreed to develop annual plans detailing specific cooperative activities.
“The Parties agree that, on the occasion of technical exchanges between both NOCs, the costs of accommodation and internal transport of the delegation remain at the expenses of each Olympic Committee, with the help of the financial support provided by the funds of the IOC Olympic Solidarity or the own Continental Association,” the MoU specifies.
Logistics for these exchanges will be coordinated well in advance to ensure smooth execution. “The Parties must, at least 60 days in advance, deal with all the logistical processes related to the visit of each of them in their country, as a way of providing adequate conditions for the materialisation of the program,” the document states.
