The stakeholders on Sunday postponed the GNOC 2023 Annual General Meeting for the second time after the GNOC executive failed to include their proposals on the agenda of the AGM.
The stakeholders unanimously agreed to postpone the Annual General Meeting, a decision made shortly after most of the delegates voted for the inclusion of their proposals and was rejected by the GNOC president since the first AGM in December.
“It is rather unfortunate that the AGM cannot proceed for the second time. We again refused to proceed with the AGM due to the president's persistent rejection of the majority's request for an additional agenda to be added to the activity,” said Philip Mendy, Secretary General of the Gambia Taekwondo Association.
He added:“The constitution gave us that right to vote in making a proposal for an addition in the agenda, but many spoke in their votes, the president decided to reject the majority’s decision.”
Mr Mendy noted that the president’s total rejection for their proposals would also make them continue rejecting the AGM budget.
“We all have the interest of the athletes which is the reason we have all come for the AGM. But due process must be followed as stated in the constitution,” he said.
Alfusainey Jarju, the Secretary General, The Gambia Volleyball Federation, said they based all their arguments on the constitution which gives the majority absolute powers as far as election is concerned.
According to him, they are requesting for the activity plan for the budget to be presented and an electoral board as stated in the constitution.
“Constitutionally, we are right as we base all our arguments on the constitution which says any national federation or association can send in a proposal before the AGM,” he said.
As voted during the first AGM in December, requesting for the proposals, he said, the GNOC executive disregarded their requests and never respected it.
“We cannot allow the presentation of the budget without an action plan. We cannot approve something without knowing what they want to do with the budget.”
Mr Ansumana also noted that they are also requesting an electoral board as stated in the constitution, adding that the constitution stated that the general assembly should appoint an electoral board.
“If we believe that this is not a personal constitutional coup d’etat. Then she should do as stated in the constitution.”
For her part, Breatrice Allen, president of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), said she was not disappointed that the delegates have again postponed the AGM but rather she was worried about the athletes.
“The arguments and the proposals made by the delegates cannot be discussed at an extraordinary general assembly. It must be an ordinary session to discuss and approve any proposal,” she said.
Part of the proposals submitted by the delegates is for the executive to present their calendar of events 2024 together with the budget, but President Allen said their budget has little to do with their calendar of events.
“Because the budget is stipulated and sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC); they give you the line items and money to be put there,” she stated, saying: “This has nothing to do with what the stakeholders are called for.”
According to her, the effects of delay in the budget approval will be on the athletes because there will be no money for them for the Olympic Games.
Lamin M. Jassey, Secretary General, Gambia Football Federation (GFF), said failure to hold the AGM for the second time running will make athletes that are preparing for the Olympic Games suffer.
“The way things are going, if we should come back again and express the same sentiment it means that we are not going to move on. And if that doesn't happen, the athletes and the sports are going to suffer and we will also fail as representatives of different sporting bodies in the country,” he said.
