Allen was speaking at the GNOC Annual Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday 23rd December 2023 at the GNOC office.
A total of 42 delegates were present at the AGM out of which 18 delegates voted in favour of the program agenda, while 24 delegates voted against the program agenda to be amended.
The heated debate lasted for five hours as delegates refused to approve the agenda following the inclusion of hockey sport in the program guide.
‘‘We had an agenda, which was taken from the GNOC constitution,’’ Ms. Allen said.
Ms. Allen revealed that the President, Secretary General and Treasurer are all expected to deliver their reports to delegates during the AGM.
‘‘Bringing in strategic plan to be endorsed by the AGM was part of the agenda and the other one was hockey, which was a follow up inclusion as an NOC member,’’ Ms. Allen pointed out.
Ms. Allen stated that hockey is an Olympic sport.
She further stated that hockey was present at last year’s AGM but were told to go back and fullfill the requirements of the Olympic charter.
‘‘The Hockey Association must have some activities in the country before they can be recognised by the NOC,’’ Ms. Allen said.
Ms. Allen revealed that the Secretary General is not happy with the decisions made by the Board.
‘‘The Secretary General has manipulated the national federations, telling them to look at his own issues at the AGM,’’ Ms Allen pointed out.
According to Ms. Allen, the Secretary General said his rights were not given by the GNOC.
Ms. Allen pointed out that the Secretary General wants to control the GNOC office but he was told that he cannot control the office because there is an executive director.
She stated that as the president of the GNOC, she does not have access to the emails.
‘‘What he needs to do is to work with the Executive Director just as the treasurer works with Executive Director,’’Ms. Allen said.
Ms. Allen noted that personal issues do not come to the AGM, adding the AGM doesn’t discuss personal issues.
‘‘The AGM discussed substantive policy issues,’’ Ms Allen explained.
Ms. Allen revealed that if The Gambia failed to hold their AGM; the country’s budget will not be approved for the year 2024 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
