Stakeholder Wants Charge In NOC Leadership Changed

As the elective congress of the Nigeria Olympic Committee draws nearer, stakeholders have highlighted the need for a transformation in the leadership of the body, which is responsible for coordinating and supporting Nigerian competitors in the Olympic, Commonwealth and African Games.
The NOC election is billed for December 15 in Jalingo, Taraba State.
While it is still uncertain if the incumbent president, Habu Gumel, will seek re-election into office, stakeholders are already clamouring for a shake-up in the system, in order to usher in new guards.
Gumel was first elected as NOC president in 2002 and was in office until 2010. He returned again as president in 2014 and still runs the affairs of the Olympic Committee till date.
Seeking reelection will mean a third consecutive term bid and five terms overall.
Observers of the 74-year-old Gumel’s NOC tenure described the last eight years of his administration as docile, which they say has caused a regression for Nigeria at the international level.
According to them, Nigeria lost its congress membership with the International Olympic Committee during the reign of Gumel, insisting he has no voting rights at the IOC, having attained the age of 70 since 2019.
According to Rule 16.3.3.1 of the Olympics Charter, any IOC member ceases to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which he reaches the age of 70.
A board member of the Nigeria Handball Federation and a member of Sports for All Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Sylvester Ikuejamoye, fears that the lack of voting rights for Gumel at the IOC level could cause further setback for Nigeria.