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| Youth and Sports Minister: Alieu Jammeh |
According to
the minister, the move was part of his ministry’s drive to establish the truth
of the matter through independent investigation by neutral people, following
persistent unhealthy wrangling and even accusations against the Ministry for
allegedly siding with one side.
The tribunal
spent weeks looking through volumes of GNOC and IOC documents, as well as
interviewing dozens of people, before coming up with a comprehensive report and
recommendations for action.However, according to Minister Jammeh, he had decided after getting the blessing of government not to implement the recommendations made by the tribunal, all in the spirit of promoting unity and understanding among the national sports associations.
“Alternatively,
however, and in the same spirit of reconciliation, a Six-Point Agreement was
signed between the feuding parties, the ministry of sports and witnessed by and sealed at the Ministry
of Justice,’’ he told the audience, including sports leaders and media
representatives.
The so far
unpublished tribunal report made very strong recommendations with far-reaching
implications for the GNOC’s future, and it is not surprising that it has proven
to be the single most contentious document.
In the
interest of the public, which is constantly enquiring for adequate information
and background on the GNOC political impasse, below are excerpts from the
recommendations of the tribunal:
40. Recommendations.
4.1 - That
the election of the GNOC held on February 11 be annulled.
4.2 - That the present executive Bureau of the
GNOC be immediately dissolved and replaced by an interim management committee
composed of selected representatives of National Associations and recognized
individuals.
4.3 - That
the interim management committee take charge of the immediate running of the
GNOC and ensure that elections be organized with the purpose of electing a new
executive bureau not later than three months from the date of assuming office.
4.4 - That
the suggested voter list be adopted with minimum of modifications where
necessary but such modifications should be in conformity with the GNOC and IOC
charter.
4.5 - That
Judo remains omitted from the GNOC voter list until at such time that it seeks
and obtains recognition from the National Sports Council as a legitimate sports
practiced in The Gambia.
4.6 - That
the interim management committee shall cause a comprehensive management and
financial audit exercise to be carried out at the GNOC Bureau within the three
months that they will be in office. Such auditors must be a recognized firm or
body.
4.7 - Mr Bai
Cham be banned from holding office, suspended from holding office in any sports
organization in the Gambia for a period to be determined by the National Sports
Council.
4.8 - The
current vice president Beatrice Allen and secretary general Peter Prom be
banned from vying or holding any elective executive post in the GNOC for a period to be determined by the National
Sport Council.
4.9 - That a
minimum annual contribution fee be set for all National sports associations to
start paying to the GNOC as a benchmark.
However it
must be noted that following the presentation of the tribunal’s report to the
Sports ministry, wider consultations were held in the matter within the ambit
of government and the sports fraternity, leading to the decision to put it
aside in the interest of reconciliation and the national interest, culminating
in the Six-Point Agreement.
Corrigendum
In our lead
story on the GNOC row on Friday, Mr Momodou Dibba was quoted as saying “one can
contest election as long as one is not 90 years old”. This should have read,
“there are people serving in the IOC who are as old as 90 years old’’. The
error is regretted.
Author: Lamin
Cham
Source: Picture:
Minister Alieu K. Jammeh
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