By Kemoh Sesay
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) may ban Sierra Leone if the suspension of the country’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) by the Minister of Sport Paul Kamara is allowed to stand, according to the Administrative Secretary of the NOC, Alie G. Koroma.
Koroma says the new executive successfully held their first meeting and wrote to the IOC informing them about the result of the just-concluded elections.
“The IOC has sent a letter congratulating the new executive, so I do not know where this is coming from as the Minister does not have the right to suspend the NOC. This is political interference” Koroma adds.
In a letter dated 14th May 2013, addressed to the former President of the NOC, Henry Moore, Minister Kamara said "the action of flouting the authority of the State by the National Olympic Committee is unacceptable and therefore, in my capacity as Chairman of the National Sports Council of Sierra Leone I hereby suspend the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone until further notice”.
The Minister said Moore had failed to provide the ministry with the NOC's Financial Statement and refused to adhere to the ministry's request to put on hold their elective congress which took place on 11th May. “That Mr. Moore went ahead with the NOC elections is tantamount to gross disobedience against the state…” said Minister Kamara.
