News from the NOCs: IOC to Observe Philippines Election, Iran Elects New Chief

Pere Miro will monitor the Philippines Olympic Committee’s election on Nov. 28. (ATR)IOC to Observe Philippines Election

The IOC said it would send an observer to the Philippines Olympic Committee’s (POC) elections, to ensure there is no interference with the voting.

Pere Miro, head of the IOC’s International Relations department, will travel to the country for the Nov. 28 vote because there has been governmental interference with the POC, a practice that is forbidden by the IOC.

Local media reported IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “We know the situation in your country, so we’ll be monitoring and observing the elections.”

There are reports that the IOC fears interference after Rogge met with current President Jose Cojuangco and former speaker of the House of Representatives. Cojuangco is running for a second term against Art Macapagal, the head of the Philippines shooting sport federation. Macapagal is the half brother of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

To win the election, one candidate must secure 21 votes of the 40 national sports associations and IOC Member Francisco Elizalde. However, reports say that political leaders are attempting to court several of the NSA members. Moreover, Cojuangco has allegedly released the names of 23 backers, while Macapagal has not announced any endorsements.

More Solomon Islands Trouble

Dissent is brewing in the ranks of the Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee.

A report in the Solomon Islands daily the Solomon Star said the national table tennis federation called the NOC “irresponsible."

The federation was awaiting a shipment from the International Table Tennis Federation containing table tennis equipment. However, the NOC failed to clear the shipment through customs and the equipment is now being put up for auction. The shipment arrived in July.

The newly-elected president of the Iranian NOC, Mohammad Aliabadi. (Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Images)A spokesman for the national federation says they were not aware of the problems until ITTF sent them an e-mail. He went on to say they are working on raising funds to buy the equipment and said ITTF would no longer support them if they were to lose the equipment.

The donation included 18 tables and 500 balls.

New Iran NOC Chief

Mohammad Aliabadi was elected as the new head of the Iranian National Olympic Committee. Aliabadi replaced Reza Qarakhanloo as NOC chief. Alibadi was the vice president of the NOC, and is also in charge of Iran’s Physical Education Organization.

Mehdi Qadami and Mahmoud Khosravi were elected to serve as Alibadi’s V.P.s, and the newly elected chief appointed Bahram Afsharzadeh to Secretary-General.

The head of Iran's Football Federation, Tsotang Maine, flagbearer for Lesotho in Beijing, is one of four team members suspended by the NOC. (Getty Images)Ali Kaffashian, became a member of the NOC's executive committee.

…Briefs

…Four athletes were suspended from Olympic competition by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee. According to the African Press Agency, the marathon runners displayed a “lack of commitment to the sport and country.” The runners, Moeketsi Mosuhli, Tsotang Maine, Mabuthile Lebopo and Mamorallo Tjoka, represented their country in Beijing and are expected to reimburse the LNOC for travel and other expenses incurred while in Beijing.

…The NOCs from South Korea and Bangladesh signed an agreement on Tuesday to increase cooperation in sports. "The agreement will usher in a new era of sports cooperation between the Olympic committees of the two friendly countries" said Bangladeshi NOC President Moeen Ahmed. Under the terms of the agreement, the two NOCs will share resources and in particular, allow Bangladeshi athletes to train in Korea with Korean coaches and experts.

...The IOC is asking the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee to continue hosting interns for training. The NOC has a program that trains workers from other English-speaking African countries as sports administrators. The country has trained representatives from Liberia, Malawi and Somalia.

Written by Ed Hula III.