News from the NOCs -- Elections Wrap-up, USOC Board Meets Saturday

Federations Accuse Solomon Islands of “Conspiracy," “Corruption” and “Bribing”

National federations of the Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee (SINOC) accused the NOC of malfeasance in its elections.

The SINOC was accused of using criteria that disqualified certain member federations from voting, allowing only a fraction of eligible member federations to vote for officers.

“We don’t understand why some federations were allowed to vote while others were not,” the local Solomon Star newspaper quoted unnamed federations. “We saw a conspiracy in the election. They don’t want certain people to be in the new executive so they did this.

"It is evident from the fact that these federations were staying and meeting at the Pacific Casino which is owned by the president of the tennis federation,” they said. “We suspect bribing was involved to vote the new president because his presentation was not that convincing: corruption must have played its part in the election.”

Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) President Robin Mitchell tells Around the Rings that there is probably a much less controversial reason for the rules. Mitchell said he understands that the federations that couldn’t vote were associate members, and as such are ineligible to vote.

ONOC sent two observers to the election and they will make a report to executives this week.

These were the federations not allowed to vote: rugby, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, Paralympics, touch rugby and karate. Others include: taekwondo, golf, Makira Ulawa Sports Committee, Malaita Sports Committee, wrestling, archery and the Western Province Sports Committee.

Federations allowed to vote were: netball, judo, soccer, triathlon, volleyball, athletics, body building, tennis and basketball.

Tjongarero Re-elected in Namibia

Agnes Tjongarero was re-elected as the president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) on Friday. Tjongarero defeated Kelly Nghixulifwa, the current leader of Namibian boxing. Agnes Tjongarero was re-elected as the Namibian NOC president.

Tjongarero will have led the NNOC for almost 20 years when her term expires in 2012.

Calle Schaeffer defeated incumbent Secretary General Abner “Big Daddy” Xoagub. Three executive board members lost, with Jesse Schikerling, Wolfie Henckert and Dawie Augustyn replacing the trio.

IOC Member and Olympic great Frank Fredericks ran for treasurer against Fanie Oosthuizen, ultimately losing by one vote. Fredericks however, will serve on the NNOC EB.

The full slate of officers is: Agnes Tjongarero – president, Callie Schafer – secretary general, Fanie Oosthuizen – treasurer, Joan Smit, Johan Knoetze, Ndeuli Hamutumwa, Jesse Schickerling, Dawie Augustyn, Quinton Steele Botes, Wolfie Henckert and Frank Fredericks – executive board members.

Philippines NOC Retains President

Jose Cojuangco was re-elected as Philippines Olympic Committee (POC) president. Cojuangco defeated Art Macapagal 21 votes to 19.

”We have to resolve issues concerning the [National Sports Associations] so that the new POC leadership can start the 2009 with focus on programs and activities regarding the country’s preparation for the Southeast Asian Games and other foreign competitions,” said POC President Cojuangco.

Many of the Philippines NSA’s are beset with leadership problems and are unable to work well.

There were concerns last month that the race between Cojuangco and Macapagal was suffering from interference from the government, which the IOC does not allow.

IOC Member representing the Philippines Francisco Elizalde, who backed Cojuangco, praised the way the candidates conducted themselves.

“I’m very glad the elections committee ran things very well,” said Elizalde. “I congratulate them, there were some difficult situations in the last few days, I’m glad everything went well. My congratulations to the winners and also to the losers for putting up a good fight and showing true sportsmanship.”

Aside from Cojuangco, other elected board members are Monico Puentevella as chairman, Manny Lopez - first vice president, Mario Tanchangco - second vice president, Julian Camacho –treasurer, Corrina Benipayo-Mojico - auditor and four elect-members - Mark Joseph, Leonora Brawner, Dave Carter and Jeffrey Tamayo.

USOC to Discuss Budget Cuts

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will have its final board meeting of the year Saturday to discuss extreme budget cuts. A report in local media says the USOC is planning to freeze all executive salaries for 2009. Such drastic measures are in response to the worldwide economic downturn. USOC CEO Jim Scherr said that while an extensive budget cut is in order, “the last place” they would consider funding cuts is for athlete development and national federations.

Iran NOC Elections Illegal Mohammad Aliabadi is unable to serve as Iran NOC president, the government ruled. (Getty Images)

The government investigator into the Iranian NOC elections determined they violated national laws.

State Inspectorate Organization Director Mostafa Pourmohammadi said on Tuesday that President-elect Mohammad Aliabadi could not serve as NOC president because he is the head of Iran’s physical education department.

“People with two jobs are not allowed to work in sports federations. For the time being, we have cancelled the elections in all federations due to this problem,” said Pourmohammadi.

Written by Ed Hula III.