Talks for Sudan Olympic Conflict at All-Africa Games

More than 10,000 African athletes and sport officials are gathered in Algiers for the All-Africa Games. (Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images)(ATR) African Olympic officials will hold talks with Sudan at the All-Africa Games in Algiers aimed at ending a government takeover of the country's NOC. But one IOC leader tells Around the Rings there seems to be little hope for a solution soon.

The president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa had hoped to achieve a solution before the opening ceremony of the All-Africa Games on July 11.

Lassana Palenfo tells Around the Rings he will meet with Sudan sports representatives in Algiers but calls his task very difficult.

The leadership problems at the Sudan Olympic Committee began a year ago, says Director of NOC Relations for the IOC Pere Miro.

The Khartoum sports minister began replacing federation leaders and called a general assembly of the NOC to replace the leadership, which the IOC does not recognize.

Talks will be held in Algiers this week, but there is not optimism that the conflict will be settled soon, Miro tells Around the Rings. Lassana Palenfo, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, will meet with Sudan leaders at the All-Africa Games. (ATR)

The Sudan Football Association was among the federations that faced Sudanese government interference, but the footballers resisted irregular changes, FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren tells Around the Rings.

"In the past, there had been attempts by the Sudan Sports Ministry to interfere with the football association and its matters. However, after intervention by FIFA this has stopped and today there is a good relationship."

Khartoum hosted the Football Confederation of Africa general assembly in February 2007 in the presence of FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Under president Omar al-Bashir, Sudan has endured accusations of genocide against residents of the Darfur region and condemnation of al-Bashir as a despotic rogue. China and the Beijing Olympics have been drawn into the controversy, too, with some critics calling for an Olympics boycott to protest Chinese business and political ties to Sudan.

Should the dispute over Sudan continue, the IOC could take steps to suspend the NOC, causing a loss of funds and services from the IOC. Suspension could result in Sudanese athletes not being allowed to participate in the Beijing Olympics under their national flag.