Ghana National Sports Associations petition IOC on GOC electoral procedures
Presidents of the National Sports Associations have petitioned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on attempts by the leadership of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) to twist the forthcoming elections in their favour.
In a five-point resolution signed and issued by the Presidents of the 33-National Sports Associations, the members appealed to the international body to call the Benson Tongo Baba-led administration to order ahead of the Congress scheduled for October 29 in Kumasi.
Nii Adote Din Barima, Spokesperson of the Presidents’ of the National Sports Associations in an address at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, said the outgoing Executive Board has introduced some rules and procedures to conduct the Congress, which clearly contravenes the GOC’s Constitution and the Olympic Charter.
He mentioned some areas of concern as the appointment of sub-committees without necessary prior ratification and the unilateral handpicking of individuals with conflict of interest as well as the members of the Vetting Committees as some of the machinations of the incumbent to twirl the Congress to their favour.
Besides the deletion of certain national associations from the list of accredited delegates, he pointed out that there is also the creation of nine unknown Sports Federations and appointment of some ‘fake delegates’ for them to be at the Congress.
Nii Adote, who is also the President of the Ghana Karate Do Association, said the omitted Associations include Karate do, Kickboxing, Disabled Sports, Chess, Netball and Cricket, whilst the “forged” ones are made up of unfamiliar sporting disciplines such as Fencing, Archery, Gymnastics, Equestrian, Sailing, Shooting, Wrestling, Modern Pentathlon and Triathlon, most of which are unknown sports in the country.
“We hereby call on the IOC to take charge of the electoral process and conduct the elections in accordance with the protocols and conventions of previous elective Congresses of the GOC, and in a manner consistent with the IOC Charter.
“To affirm the legitimacy as GOC members of the elected executives of the various Federations who have been ratified by their respective international federations,” Nii Adote said.
From the GOC guidelines, nominees with less than four years association with a National Association do not qualify to contest for any position, a rule, which makes the current executives of the various Associations ineligible having been elected in mid-2010 per the IOC Road Map.
It is in this regard that the group is knocking at the corridors of the IOC to ensure a smooth electoral process in the country.
The incumbent President, Baba has served in that capacity for over 12 years.
Source: GNA