GNOC Presidential Election Crisis Resolved

After three intensive weeks of investigation, the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth and Sports acted under their constitutional mandate to resolve the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) crisis and finally set February 12, 2011 as its presidential election.

Several efforts have been made to resolve the impasse since the cancellation of the GNOC election in October 20, 2010 due to controversy, but thanks to the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth and Sports under the leadership of Hon. Alagia Sillah, the problem have been resolved with a new date.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Select Committee Hon. Alhajie Sillah said the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth and Sports acting under the provisions of section 109 subsection 2(b) and (3) of The 1997 constitution of The Republic of The Gambia, has resolved to oversee the GNOC presidential stalemate with a view to supervising the organisation and conducting a free, fair and transparent election that will meet and conform to international standard and obligation.

Part of the arguments that caused the controversy and finally the cancellation of the October 20 election of the GNOC was who is to and not to vote, for which the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth and Sports came to conclusion and brought a list of illegible voters.

Listing associations and individuals to vote or not, Hon Alagia Sillah Said, "it was confirmed that Judo holds an international affiliation to the International Judo Federation after fully completing its process, this was the basis of the argument which therefore says Judo has met the requirements to vote".

It was also confirmed by the deputies that Fencing had not affiliated or completed their affiliation process to their international federation, thus they were not qualified to vote.

The issue of Deaf Sports that caused a huge debate at last month’s Assembly sitting was cleared when the Committee confirmed that Deaf Sports’ process of international affiliation to their international federation had been completed, which was also the basis of argument that says Deaf Sports has met the requirements to vote.

The right for Dodou Capi Joof, treasurer of the African Athletic Association, to vote was also tensely debated but it was confirmed at the Assembly that Capi Joof as a treasurer of African Athletic Association, which is a single sporting game, is affiliated to its relevant international. His appointment was tendered and certified, which qualifies him to vote.

Seedy Kinteh, president of the Gambia Football Association, is also qualified to vote as he holds an appointment as a member of CAF, which is a single Olympics Sporting game.

"Abdoulie Touray, the incumbent GNOC presidential candidate, and Ousman Wadda of the Islamic Solidarity Games are not qualified to vote." Sillah confirmed.

The list of illegible voters come February 12, 2011 for the GNOC presidency is as follows:

Athletics, Volleyball, Basketball, Weightlifting, Cycling, Taekwondo, Lawn Tennis, Football, Golf, Rugby, Boxing, Wrestling, Handball, Table tennis, Paralympics, Cricket, Draught, Karate, Chess, Softball, Special Olympics, Judo, Primary School Sports, Secondary School Sports, Combined Services Sports Association.

The individual voters are Beatrice Allen, Seedy Kinteh, Abdou Shyllon, Adama Njie, Dodou Capi Joof and Suwaebou Sanneh.

In conclusion, Hon. Alagie Sillah Said their role was not difficult in settling the matter as they were serving as mediator which is always easy.