As Tension Rises at ANOCA Elections…

BY MITCHELL OBI, PRESIDENT AIPS AFRICA

All is well that ends well. But in Djibouti can we say all is tough that starts rough. Africa is watching. The world is eagle eyed.
This must be a test case not only for African sports leadership but also for the true spirit of Olympism. Can we help or ignore the fact that in our continent there is an overdose of government involvement in sports?
We saw how African delegates and even Nigerian delegates shunned the drowning support or was it clarion call from the Nigerian Sports Minister to beef up support for a presidential candidate.
We are watching Djibouti and let’s hope the anticipated presence of IOC president Thomas Bach will calm down the rising tide of regional and self seeking tendencies of our sports leaders.
Interestingly the wind blowing across Djibouti is not one of change as it was in Addis Ababa but one of consolidation from generals who have smelt enough gun powder to silence a parliament of Lions or is it monkeys.
Time for the enthronement of an ethical revolution and sports journalists at this crucial time in their history must also take good cue and persist in the politics of ideas, industry and integrity.