Photo courtesy of NOC of Belarus
MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) – President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Viktor Lukashenko held talks with Zimbabwean Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, BelTA learned from Belarus’ NOC press service.
During the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the need to expand their partnership and strengthen sports ties between the countries. Viktor Lukashenko noted that he was glad to welcome the distinguished guest to Belarus and to the Olympic Committee. “Relations between our countries are very close. We cooperate effectively in various fields. President Aleksandr Lukashenko calls the head of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa his brother. We truly have brotherly relations. I am confident that close cooperation will be established between the sports agencies and the Olympic committees of our two nations,” the NOC president said.
Viktor Lukashenko also emphasized that the African continent is playing an increasingly significant role in world sports, and the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in October-November 2026 will further contribute to this trend. “Last year, Kirsty Coventry, a representative of Zimbabwe, became the head of the International Olympic Committee. Our dialogue with the IOC president has left us with a very favorable impression. Kirsty Coventry has already taken certain steps, and thanks to her efforts, we have begun the journey toward the lifting of sports sanctions. I hope for further positive developments in this area,” Viktor Lukashenko added.
Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe expressed gratitude for such a warm welcome in Belarus. The guest was impressed by the country’s potential for developing physical culture and sports. “We visited several sites in Minsk and saw firsthand the capabilities of your country in developing sports. The University of Physical Culture has a modern infrastructure essential for training top athletes. You have excellent specialists, coaches, and doctors here. We are ready to consider opportunities for joint training of our athletes for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar,” he noted.
Belarusian Sports Minister Sergei Kovalchuk and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Zimbabwe to Belarus Ignatius Graham Mudzimba also took part in the talks held at the National Olympic Committee of Belarus. The day before, Belarus and Zimbabwe concluded a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in sports.
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