News from the NOCs - IOC Warns of Kuwait, India Suspensions

IOC Warns of Kuwait, India Suspensions

The ruling IOC Executive Board will debate suspending the Kuwait Olympic Committee and India Olympic Association at its Dec. 4-5 meeting in Lausanne.

It will be the second suspension for Kuwait since 2010 if the EB decides to suspend the KOC. The IOC lifted the suspension ahead of the Olympics after receiving guarantees that a sports law would be passed to protect the KOC’s autonomy by November 22.

"The IOC regrets to note that the commitments have not been fulfilled," the IOC said. "The suspension of the National Olympic Committee would serve as a protective measure by the IOC to preserve the autonomy of the NOC and the Olympic Movement in Kuwait.

"The relevant authorities of the State of Kuwait bear all responsibility for this regrettable situation, which is dramatically affecting the country’s sporting family."

Concerns over government interference were also to blame in India.

"For more than two years, the IOC has expressed severe concerns about government interference in the IOA’s upcoming election process," a statement on the IOC website said. "There is also concern over information only recently provided by the IOA that its elections would be conducted based on government regulations rather than the IOA’s constitution and the Olympic Charter. Should this be the case, and as previously warned, the results of such elections would not be recognized by the IOC."

Elections are scheduled for Dec. 5.

Singh Withdraws from IOA Race

Citing the possible suspension of the IOA by the IOC, IOA secretary general and IOC member Randhir Singh withdrew his candidacy for IOA president.

"As an IOC member, I cannot go against the institution to which I belong and that's why I am withdrawing my candidature," Singh said on Sunday.

"There is no point in creating a rift in the International Olympic Committee. Let’s sit together with the ministry, solve the problem and then hold elections.

"I am not running away, but since the situation has got so convoluted, there is no sense in creating more problems," Singh said.

He added his opponents had run a "slanderous campaign" against him.

Abhey Singh Chautala is now the lone candidate for president.

Following Singh’s withdrawal, his slate also ended their campaigns for various vice presidencies and the secretary general race, being contested by Mukesh Kumar.

His withdrawal also puts his continued participation in the Association of National Olympic Committees Executive Council in jeopardy, as ANOC rules say executives must be part of their NOCs.

Philippines Bars Candidate

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok was barred from running for president of the Philippines Olympic Committee.

A three-member review panel for the POC declared him ineligible to run against two-term incumbent Jose Cojuangco, citing a POC ruling from 2010 that barred Go from any official participation in POC business.

Go told local media he would file a restraining order to stop the Nov. 30 elections.

Swiss Reelect President

Joerg Schild will serve another four years as president of the Swiss Olympic Association.

He was reelected president at a Nov. 17 meeting of the SOA.

Swiss IOC members Gian-Franco Kasper and Rene Fasel were both elected honorary members of the SOA.

Sam Targets Increased Sport Development

Gideon Sam was reelected to another four-year term as president of SASCOC, the South African National Olympic Committee.

Speaking to delegates at SASCOC’s Quadrennial General Meeting on Saturday, Sam said he would target sport development throughout the country as his major platform, seeing hordes of undeveloped athletes.

"Our focus for the next four years will be to strengthen the province’s structures because we are still only scratching the surface when it comes to talent," he said.

"We will continue to assist our coaches and make sure that the councils work in the various provinces. Also, we will strive to build our communications platform to spread the sports word far and wide.

"At all times there must be total accountability. Once again we will fight side by side with the Sports Ministry and Honorable Sports Minister Mr Fikile Mbalula for a better funding model. Even if we have to go against the grain with government we have to. Some of our Federations are dying and we need to escalate the fight in this regard.

"Let us start to flex our muscles as a sporting movement. Let us shake the tree and start seeing some fruit," he said.

Sam was unopposed.

Namibia Olympic Chief Reelected

Agnes Tjongarero was reelected as president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee on Friday.

She was unopposed.

Joan Smit takes over as secretary general from Abner Xoagub.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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