The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is proud to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). ANOCA 1st Vice-President João Da Costa Alegre AFONSO and WFDF Secretary General Volker Bernardi signed the MoU during a ceremony on the occasion of the 22nd ANOCA General Assembly in Algiers, Algeria on 14/15 March 2025.
The MoU was also signed by ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf and WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch and includes details on the path forward for the development of Flying Disc sports in Africa in cooperation with the National Olympic Committees across the continent.
“With the recent increase of WFDF members on the African continent to 20 members, our development efforts on that continent have resulted in us reaching a critical mass where cooperation with ANOCA and the NOCs is a logical next step,” commented WFDF Secretary General Volker Bernardi. “We continue to focus development efforts across the continent and have a number of plans in the works.”
Filomena Fortes, WFDF non-Executive Board member, IOC Member, and ANOCA 2nd Vice President, commented that “I think that the protocol is an asset for African countries, in the sense that it gives the possibility for all countries to participate, especially in the olympafrica centers because it is an easy and accessible sport. The implementation of Flying Disc in Africa has enormous potential to promote inclusion, health, teamwork, social empowerment and education. In addition, it can contribute to the development of a more peaceful, healthy and collaborative environment, while offering opportunities for economic and social growth in communities.”
“This is the “Year of Africa” for WFDF and Flying Disc sports,” stated WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “This signing ceremony held in front of representatives from all 54 National Olympic Committees of Africa will greatly help the visibility of WFDF and Flying Disc sports in Africa. Our objective is to increase the number of national federations on that continent to 30 by end of the year.”
Under the agreement, WFDF will provide ANOCA and National Olympic Committee Members with extended global broadcast reach through WFDF media and international partner media outlets, support our current and developing National Flying Disc Federations across Africa, facilitate the opportunity to host prestigious international championship events in Africa, as well as access to new partnerships with international organisations. Also included is access to new global community programs that will benefit millions of people across Africa and the provision of equipment and added resources to all National Flying Disc Federations in Africa.
The agreement will provide a pathway to National Olympic Committee (NOC) recognition in the form of official certification to the WFDF member national federations based in Africa. Under the leadership of the National Olympic Committees, both parties agreed to support the establishment of new National Federations in partnership with all National Olympic Committees where such National Flying Disc Federation are not yet established.
ANOCA also agrees to consider Flying Disc disciplines as a competitive sport within future “All African Games” for Seniors and Youth, the “All African Beach Games” for Senior and Youth, as well as the “African Zonal Games” for Seniors and Youth within each event here on in from 2025 onwards.
ANOCA also agreed to support the candidature of Flying Disc Disciplines as a competitive sport within the Olympic Programme and within the major recognized multisport games.
WFDF currently has four members from Africa on its 20 person board of directors: Catherine Nakasi (UGA), board Secretary and member of the Executive Committee, Ronny Ochoro (KEN), President of the All-African Flying Disc Federation, Esther Omuseni Akiso (KEN), at-large Director, and Filomena Fortes (CPV), Non-Executive Board member, IOC Member, and President of the Cape Verde NOC. Fortes was elected during the General Assembly as Second Vice President of ANOCA.
The MoU was first discussed during a meeting of a WFDF delegation with ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf, who is also as IOC Member, at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Rauch, Bernardi, Caroline Tisson, Athletes’ Commission Chair, and Marco Tomasini, Director of NOC Relations, also attended the XXVII Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, held from 29 October to 1 November 2024 in Cascais, Portugal.
The World Flying Disc Federation is the international sports federation responsible for world governance of flying disc (frisbee) sports, including Ultimate, Beach Ultimate, Disc Golf, Freestyle, Guts and Overall Events. WFDF is a federation of 115 member associations that represent flying disc sports and their athletes in over 111 countries. WFDF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International University Sports Federation (FISU). It is a member of the International World Games Association (IWGA), the Association of Recognized International Federations (ARISF), the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), The Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA), and the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE). It is also a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code. WFDF is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Colorado, USA.
For more information contact:
Karina Woldt
WFDF Managing Director Events & Operations (MDEO)
World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)
Mobile: +49 151 4045 6046
email: [email protected]