ANOCA sets up Africa Villa ahead of London Olympics

A statement by ANOCA said on Thursday in Enugu that the village project had since been launched and would be opened to the public between July 27 and Aug. 13, 2012 in London. Dubbed the “African village’’, the statement said it would be sited close to London’s iconic park — Hyde Park and divided into […]

A statement by ANOCA said on Thursday in Enugu that the village project had since been launched and would be opened to the public between July 27 and Aug. 13, 2012 in London.

Dubbed the “African village’’, the statement said it would be sited close to London’s iconic park — Hyde Park and divided into two zones: Africa Club and Africa Land — with specific but complementary objectives.

“Africa Club shall be the official accommodation site meant exclusively for ANOCA and the 53 African National Olympic Committees (NOC).

“It shall also offer reception space for African sports administrators, athletes and partners of the continental sports movement. It shall also host one television and one radio broadcast studio.

“Africa Land will on its part be a major exhibition ground that will serve as Africa’s window on the world.

“With a variety of stands of about 16 square metres each, it will showcase the continent’s rich and diversified cultural and artistic heritage,’’ it said.

The statement added that a restaurant, open to the general public, would also serve African dishes to the many visitors expected at the village.

“The village shall vibrate every evening with live musical shows performed by a plethora of universally acclaimed African artists.

“ANOCA also hopes to stage a photo exhibition, depicting the continent’s sporting greats who left indelible footprints on the field of Olympics during preceding editions.

“The London 2012 African Village will be a broad communication platform that will afford Africa the opportunity to generate greater exposure and better showcase its rich natural, cultural and human potential,’’ it said. (NAN)