GOC saga nears resolution but...

Accra, July 7, GNA - The long standing feud at the corridors of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) may soon come to an end, following the decision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to hand over the newly built office to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recognized GOC as part of the peace deal.

Mr Frank Appiah, Vice President of the GOC, which is backed by the IOC told the GNA Sports, that they received a letter from the ministry on Monday, July 4, indicating that the keys to the office will be handed over to them by the close of the week.

He said the decision follows a directive from the IOC to the ministry, which forms part of efforts to end the feud.

The GOC Vice President, however, noted that the ban placed on Ghana by the IOC would soon be lifted since the Sports Bill has been passed as well as the preparedness of the Ministry to hand over the offices at Ridge to the rightful body.

According to Mr Appiah, the handing over is only part of the solution, as they have several documents which might have gone missing in the course of the feud, hence he called for the presence of independent observers to examine the documents at the office.

Mr Appiah added that there are other legal cases pending before the Committee, whilst previous accounts have not be audited for the past two years.

Asked whether the GOC will re-organize a Congress to elect new leaders, he said there are a backlog of administrative issues to deal with, adding that until these are handled efficiently, they cannot organize a suitable Congress.

Mr Appiah said another issue of concern is that the present executives of the various associations were illegally appointed and steps must be taken to correct the illegalities before the elections.

Even though the handing over of the offices may signal an end to the longstanding saga, demands for fresh elections for the various associations may spark another controversy.

This follows recognition for the leadership of the various associations by their international affiliates.

Mr Appiah, however, expressed the hope that the saga will soon end and pave the way for Ghana to participate in the All Africa Games and the Olympics Games.