Athletes’ Commission (AC) representatives from the Melanesian sub-region discussed partnerships and funding opportunities on Day Two of the Melanesian Sub-Regional Forum.
ONOC Secretary General (SG), Ricardo Blas, urged athlete representatives to take advantage of all funding opportunities available to them through the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Programme.
“There is only one NOC (National Olympic Committee) out of the 15 NOCs that has capitalised on utilising Olympic Solidarity’s Continental Programmes, as well as the World Programmes.”
SG Blas said that while opportunities are available annually, there is a ‘use it or lose it’ policy for the opportunities should they not be utilised within a year.
.jpeg)
“I urge you to fully utilise the different funding opportunities available for Athletes’ Commissions, as this is an area we lack in our region,” SG Blas added.
The second day of the forum looked at the funding opportunities available for Athletes’ Commissions, working on a calendar of activities for 2023-2024, setting budgets for Athletes’ Commission activities, applying for grants offered by the Olympic Solidarity Programme, building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and partners, and building AC communication plans objectively for visibility purposes.
Article adapted from the ONOC website.