(ATR) The president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa was reelected at the ANOCA General Assembly and the organization is getting a new secretary general, during a day marked by squabbling, and a visit from the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire.
Daniel Kablan Duncan, the country’s Prime Minister addressed the opening ceremony of the ANOCA General Assembly in Abidjan on Friday.
He said the entire continent is watching what comes out of the two-day meeting.
"Africa is questioning itself," he said, referencing what he viewed as a disappointing performance from African Olympians in London.
"That’s why we all came to Abidjan, to find a better presentation for 2016.
"Africa should not be behind when it comes to international sports meetings. We have a lot of challenges. African leaders are expecting a lot from this meeting."
ANOCA President Palenfo said in his speech that the meeting in Abidjan "is a symbol of peace."
Palenfo added that, starting in 2015, ANOCA will assume responsibility for organizing continental games, which are currently organized through the organization of sports ministers.
"Games should belong to the NOCs," he said. The Games will serve as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
During the opening ceremony, IOC president Jacques Rogge became an Ivorian chief, courtesy of the local tribal chief.
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Palenfo won his election after running unopposed, and Tommy Sithole defeated Khaled Zein El Din.
While Palenfo was reelected, it was not an easy process.
Delegates from the 52 present NOCs, bickered for nearly half an hour before a vote was cast.
Squabble points included questions of why the roll was called in the order it was to more substantive questions of procedure, and if an election can take place with only one candidate. In the end, Palenfo was elected by a simple round of applause.
The arguments continued for so long, observers and delegates started shouting "does it matter" and urged their colleagues to simply move ahead with a vote by any process.
By the time of the secretary general election, any concerns over the process seemed solved, but the election was not incident-free. The first round of balloting had two spoiled ballots, and a second round of balloting was called.
Sithole prevailed after one voter changed their initial vote from Zein El Din.
Zein El Din was first elected secretary general in 2009.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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