2017 federation election guidelines: NOC applauds Dalung

The executive committee of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), has applauded the Minister of Youth and sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung for his “love, understanding and demonstration of Olympic Values” after agreeing to amend the guidelines for the 2017 Federation election guidelines.

A dark cloud of uncertainty had hovered over Nigerian sports after the sports ministry released Guidelines to the Federation election which the NOC said was at variance with Olympic Charter as well as with the International Federations (IFs).

Two contentious provisions: “the issue of eligibility as contained in the guidelines that did not conform to the Olympic charter, that seek to bar some Nigerians in the international federations from seeking office were expunged after Dalung met with NOC bigwigs and Federation presidents on Friday.

NOC president and member of the International Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Gumel lauded Dalung over the development.

“All the stakeholders applaud the Sports Minister for his handling of the disagreement and resolving it amicably. This shows that he is a true democrat, a lawyer who understands the implications of disobeying rules and he has demonstrated his undying love for Nigerian sports,” Gumel said.

After mutually agreeing to remove the offending provisions and allowing the Federations constitutions to prevail, Dalung said, “We decided to make amendments to some of the guidelines after wide consultations with the stakeholders in the industry to conform to the IOC Charter and International best practices”.

He stated that “we also resolved that the NOC should be actively involved in driving the process and look at areas that can be adjusted in the interest of democracy”.