International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge told Xinhua on Tuesday that the organization is targeting to build more Olympic Youth Development Centers (OYDC) in developing countries.
"We are going to continue the construction of this center in more developing countries in the world," said Rogge after he inaugurated Zambia OYDC, the first of its kind in the world, in Lusaka on Tuesday.
As the main purpose of the OYDC is to help youth in developing countries enjoy sports, Rogge said IOC will first explore which country will benefit most, then it is going to build and sponsor the center in that country.
Jacques Rogge(Front L), president of International Olympic Committee (IOC), visits the hocky stadium of the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, May 11, 2010. As the first of its kind, the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka is inaugurated by IOC Tuesday. Its main purpose is to help enhance sports development in Zambia by holding sports competitions and offering training facilities. It will also provide a wide range of educational programmes, health services and community activities to athletes and the general public in the region.
Talking about the meaning of OYDC to the youth in developing countries, Rogge said the center will be the home of thousands of kids who will learn about sport and life.
"I think it's a very important center for developing countries, as not only elite international athletes will grow up from here, also it will be the home of thousands of kids who will learn about sport and life," Rogge told Xinhua.
Responding to how will IOC make sure such centers and facilities be sustainable in developing countries, Rogge said IOC has a yearly budget for the maintenance of the centre.
"We did a lot of work on sustainability. We have a yearly budget for maintenance and there is also a very good team of course with the people of Zambia, and also International Federations and International Olympic Committee will take a good care of the sustainability (of the center)," said Rogge.
The OYDC Zambia includes indoor and outdoor facilities. The construction of the center was under the IOC with support of six International Federations (IFs) of basketball, handball, athletics, hockey boxing and weightlifting.
The center is also offering education programs, health services and community activities.
The OYDC Zambia is a pilot project of the IOC's "Sports for Hope" programs, aiming to provide better opportunities in developing countries to practise sport and to be exposed to the Olympic values.