The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) today marked a significant milestone in African sport by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The landmark agreement was signed by the President of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Dr. Ndeulipula HAMUTUMWA, and the President of the Lesotho National Olympic Committee, Mr. Letsatsi NTSIBOLANE, symbolising a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing the Olympic Movement across Southern Africa.
Witnessing the historic signing were the Secretary General of the Lesotho National Olympic Committee, Mr. Morake RALEAKA, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Ms. Anri PARKER.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a strategic partnership aimed at fostering collaboration in key areas of sport development, athlete and coach support, capacity building, governance, administration, knowledge exchange, and high-performance programmes. It also provides a framework for the two National Olympic Committees to work together on initiatives that will enhance opportunities for athletes, technical officials, administrators, and sports leaders in both countries.
Speaking after the signing, Dr. Hamutumwa described the agreement as a defining moment in the relationship between the two National Olympic Committees.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared vision of using sport as a vehicle for development, excellence, and unity. Together, we are creating new opportunities for our athletes, coaches, administrators and member federations to learn from one another, share expertise, and strengthen our respective Olympic movements. This is the beginning of a long-term partnership that will benefit generations of athletes in both Namibia and Lesotho.”
Mr. Ntsibolane echoed these sentiments, noting that the partnership represents a new chapter of cooperation built on mutual respect, shared values, and a collective ambition to elevate sport within the region.
The agreement comes at a time when collaboration among African National Olympic Committees is increasingly recognised as essential to strengthening athlete development pathways, improving governance standards, enhancing technical expertise, and creating sustainable sport systems across the continent.
For both organisations, today’s signing represents more than a formal agreement, it signals a new dawn of partnership, innovation, and shared commitment to empowering athletes and building stronger institutions that will serve the Olympic Movement well into the future.
As the Commonwealth Games continue in Glasgow, the Namibia and Lesotho National Olympic Committees reaffirm their commitment to working together to promote excellence, solidarity, and the values of friendship, respect, and fair play that define the Olympic movement.