All-Africa Games Tensions -- On the Scene

(ATR) Confusion over the ownership of the All-Africa Games is fueling tension among Olympic Leaders in Africa.

The unhappiness came to the floor at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa meeting in Bangkok. The group is meeting in Bangkok on the eve of the larger Association of National Olympic Committees general assembly November 7-8.

A question from the Botswanan NOC led to a heated exchange about the status of the continental games, and what must be done for the next edition and the future.

The next Games are scheduled in 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo.

After years of uncertainty ownership of the All-Africa Games has been delegated to ANOCA according to President Lassana Palenfo.

Previously, ownership had been held by the Organization of African Unity and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa.

Despite ANOCA taking ownership of the Games, the OAU has led planning for the 2015 event.

Palenfo said via translator, "the Brazzaville games have been organized by OUA, but as things have been in such an advanced stage of progress we will not have the ownership."

"It will be a staggered process and ownership rights will be transferred back to ANOCA."

Unhappy with the situation is Lamine Diack IOC Member from Senegal and president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

He says ANOCA should have been in charge of the Games in Brazzaville not the OAU.

"We have to make it clear after Brazzaville that the umbrella organization is responsible," Diack said.

Diack said that it is clear in the charter for ANOCA that organization is the owner of the All-Africa Games. He is worried that despite what it says in the charter ANOCA could effective lose ownership of the Games.

He criticized the current situation, reiterating that the OUA does not have any right to own or organize the Games.

Diack criticized the lack of continental Olympic qualifiers for Africa. The 2015 All-Africa Games will take place after many sports have wrapped up qualification for Rio, denying athletes who participate a chance to qualify for the Olympics.

"Let us make sure we have competitions in the zone for each discipline. We need to have championships for each sports."

Diack said future editions of the All-African Games could provide the setting for the qualifiers.

His suggestions were greeted with rousing applause from delegates in the room.

Palenfo faced more criticism from the NOC of the Central African Republic on a matter outside the All-Africa Games.

Beset by battles over religion, the country needs help said the CAR NOC President Jacob Gbeti in a passionate plea to Palenfo.

Gbeti says ANOCA needs to do more to help it overcome the troubles it’s facing.

"We haven't received any sense of compassion from ANOCA. I wonder if this has been done on purpose," Gbeti said.

Palenfo took the attack personally and responded by saying, "turn to the [CAR] Secretary General on your left, and he will explain what ANOCA is doing for you."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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