By Fatoumatta J Camara
The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled for December 23 2023 could not proceed despite the members already voting for amendment to the agenda.
The AGM meeting that allowed members to converge at the GNOC conference hall for the meeting was a constitutional mandate and expected to allow its stakeholders to scrutinize the activities and financial report of the committee for the year 2022. And also, provide them with checks and balances of power, accountability, and transparency.
Speaking at the converge, Yorro Njie, the Secretary-General of GNOC enunciated that it is rather unfortunate that the AGM couldn’t proceed despite that the congress has voted for an amendment to the agenda.
He noted that the National Sports Association has sent in their proposals to the SG and expected those proposals to be presented for adoption in the AGM, but also realized that the final agenda was sent without including their proposals.
He, therefore, urged the president of the GNOC to respect the decision of the majority who had voted for an amendment thus the general assembly is the highest decision-making body.
He used the session to lament his challenges saying he does not have access to the official emails, files, and accounts even when the constitution stated that the SG should receive all correspondence and run the day-to-day affairs of the NOC.
Beatrice Allen, president of GNOC explained many issues which include the AGM agenda, and hockey which is one of the Olympic Sports, and also noted the Secretary General’s unhappiness with the decision made by the board while manipulating his way into the national federation.
“We see a comment on the agenda when we circulate it. They sent an email saying that hockey should not be part of the agenda so we looked at it, but there was no letter or signature. When we wanted to adopt it those associations raised some questions about it. Those associations are not identified by the president or the secretary general one of them should have written and signed so that we know where it comes from. Due to this, it cannot be added to the agenda of the AGM,” the GNOC president explained.