Other Sports of Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Source: GNA

Minister of Youth and Sports meets IOC officials

Accra, May 17, GNA - Minister of Youth and Sports, Clement Kofi Humado has made giant strides towards the lifting of the ban on Ghana by the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) suspension with a presentation to the world body.

The Minister made a presentation on the Sports Bill to the leadership of the IOC last week in Lausanne, Switzerland as part of efforts towards restoring Ghana's membership with the body.

Mr Humado told GNA Sports on Tuesday that the IOC expressed satisfaction with his presentation, giving a strong indication that the ban would definitely be lifted.

He said the presentation was in response to the requests of amendment of some sections by the IOC after the initial submission.

"They (IOC) were very impressed with our presentation and they said that we are on course."

The Minister said the Sports Bill will be put before Parliament in the next few days, after which it would go through the mandatory 21-day period before its passage.

Mr Humado expressed conviction that the IOC will finally lift the ban at its 123rd Session and Executive Board meeting scheduled for from 4-9 July, 2011 in Durban, South Africa.

The IOC suspended Ghana in January citing Governmental interference in the activities of the Ghana Olympic Committee.