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ASNOC officials return from ONOC with good news

The American Samoa National Olympic Committee is getting an increase in funding from their world sporting body, and is also looking forward to partner with the territorial government for further development of athletes in the territory.

 

This is according to ASNOC president Victor Langkilde and secretary general Erika Radewagen, who two weeks ago attended the Oceania National Olympic Committee general assembly held in Nadi, Fiji.

 

Asked how much money ASNOC will receive this year through the International Olympic Committee and ONOC, Langkilde says the ASNOC currently receives an annual subsidy for Administrative Costs at $40,000 which is up from last year’s $30,000.

 

Additionally, the Olympic Solidarity Program fund will provide $85,000 which is up from last year’s $60,000. (Funds from this Olympic program aim to organize assistance for all NOCs, particularly those with the greatest needs, so they can develop their own structure to favor the expansion of sports in their countries, according to the Olympic website.)

 

Langkilde says ASNOC is getting $15,000 annually for a Sports Development Officer, which they are looking to hire this year.

 

“Other than that, additional funds are on a competitive basis with other NOCs in the region through the application process,” he told Samoa News yesterday. He said there is other potential assistance that can be applied for through special requests and with availability from the appropriate funding sources.

 

Asked when an audit will be carried out by the new board for the ASNOC financial records, Langkilde said the 2012 audit will be conducted by Daniel King & Associates and will start May 6. He said the auditing firm has been backed up and won't get to the ASNOC audit until that time.

 

Regarding the ONOC conference last month and some of the important issues to American Samoa that were raised, Langkilde said the emphasis was on several things, but “more so were the expectations of the NOCs to have transparency in fund management, good governance and compliance with financial guidelines.”

 

Additionally, programs available to the NOCs for additional financial assistance “need to be utilized to their maximum availability,” he explained.

 

Also important is “understanding the working system and process of the Olympic World & Continental Programs as best as possible by working together in the ASNOC, establishing a strong partnership and relationship with ASG, and working together with other NOCs in the region,” he said.

 

“For the most part, the hope is to work with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the American Samoa Government to develop fine athletes, and allow for healthier and stronger citizens in the territory through sports development and health awareness programs,” Langkilde said. “...we will be meeting with Governor Lolo this week to present this partnership to him. We are optimistic that Governor Lolo will build a strong and successful partnership with ASNOC.”

 

Asked for more information on educational programs discussed at the ONOC assembly that will benefit ASNOC and local athletes, Langkilde said some of the outstanding programs available are with Sports Medicine, Environmental Sustainability in sports, Women in Sports, Sports for All and Olympic Education, Culture & Legacy.

 

He pointed out that many of these programs are already the main focus of ASG agencies such as the Dept. of Education, ASEPA, and the Health Department. There are also local coalitions addressing health problems, such as the NonCommunicable Diseases board and the Cancer Coalition group, along with other civic organizations such Business and Professional Women,  Boys & Girls Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club.

 

“A partnership with ASG and ASNOC that can outreach and be built from the ground up is of utmost importance", he added.

 

The ASNOC president also says government agencies can partner with ASNOC in working together to “promote awareness that is instrumental to our athletes as well as our every day citizens, such as STOP-HIV, Anti-Doping and Healthy Living.

 

“ASG can continue with and sustain these programs,” he said, “and at the same time share such programs at the forums in ONOC on the work of ASG and ASNOC with its athletes and residents.”