News from the NOCs - Elections Edition

11/20/2012

(ATR) National Olympic Committees all over the world are electing new leaders in the traditional post-Olympics election season.

India Update

While concerns were raised that the Nov. 25 elections would be postponed, it appears the Indian Olympic Association will go ahead as scheduled.

The original chairman of the election panel resigned last week, meaning the review of nominations had to be pushed back.

However, a scanned High Court ruling on the IOA website says the elections must take place at the IOA Annual General Meeting on Sunday in Delhi.

Randhir Singh, IOA secretary general and IOC member, is running against boxing federation president Abhay Singh Chautala.

South Africa

Also this weekend, Gideon Sam is set for a new term as president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee at Saturday’s SASCOC elections.

South Africa 2010 chair Irvin Khoza entered the race against Sam but withdrew last week.

New NOC Presidents...

...Neinar Seli is the new president of the Estonia Olympic Committee. He replaced former Prime Minister Mart Siimann, who announced his resignation. Seli is a politician and successful Estonian businessman. Toomas Tonise remains secretary general.

...Angel Morales is the president of the Virgin Islands National Olympic Committee. He was secretary general for 16 years, serving with now-former president Hans Lawaetz during that time. Lyn Reid is the new secretary general. Their terms last for four years.


Reelected NOC Presidents...

...On Nov. 7, Vlade Divac was reelected as president of the Serbian Olympic Committee and Djordje Visacki, his secretary general, was given another mandate. Divac is a former NBA star and a member of the Association of National Olympic Committees Executive Council.

...Ouranios Ioannides was re-elected president of the Cyprus Olympic Committee at its general assembly in Nicosia on Oct. 2, whilst Charalambos Lottas continues as secretary general.

...In Croatia, Zlatko Matesa earned another term as NOC president on Nov. 13 while Josip Cop returns as secretary general.

...Henry Núñez Nájera and Silvia González were both reelected as president and secretary general of the Costa Rican Olympic Committee, respectively. The duo was first elected to the positions in 2008.

Barbados Olympic Association Patron

While not a leader of the organization, Elliott Fitzroy Belgrave agreed to serve as patron of the Barbados Olympic Association. The position is traditionally reserved for the Caribbean country’s Governor General, the post Belgrave currently occupies.

Warm Wishes

A statement on the European Olympic Committees website announcing election results says the EOC sends “best wishes to one and all.”

Written Ed Hula III.

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