IOC expresses surprise and regret at GOC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), have expressed surprise and regrets at the contents of a letter sent to the two bodies by Benson T. Baba, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) over a request made for a review of the controversial electoral process ahead of the elective General Assembly on October 29.

In a letter jointly signed by Pere Miro, IOC National Olympic Committee (NOC) Relationship Director and General Lassana Palenfo, President of ANOCA, it said “we are extremely surprised at the content of your letter and arguments which have advanced.

“We also regret that you did not take most of our comments into consideration and that you are unable to provide us with the number of pieces of information and supporting documents we have requested”. The letter added.

The letter cited by GNA Sports said “we would not argue further about the election process and the guidelines, which you have drafted unilaterally, since our position, which we fully reiterate have been expressed to you in clear and detailed manner”.

It said the election process must follow the basic principles of democracy, which must be respected, adding that the outcome of the elections would be assessed by laid down democratic principles.

The letter stated that, the elections must be democratic, free, fair and transparent, whilst the composition of the NOC General Assembly must be based on the list of national Federations/Associations as confirmed by their respective International Federations.

The letter therefore directed that any issues relating to the composition of the General Assembly and the elections itself must be reported to the General Assembly, which is the highest decision making body for consideration and appropriate decision taken before the elections.

Source: GNA