GAA considers May for congress

Mr. Fuseini Bawa, the Secretary General of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), has said that, the Association will appeal to the Accra High Court to grant them permission to hold its elective congress in May.

He said this would be done when they appear before the court on Monday, April 29.

He told the GNA Sports that the move is to avoid sanctions from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

A letter signed by Jee Isram, IAAF’s Senior Manager for Governance, Member and International Relations, directed the GAA to use its constitution to resolve the impasse between the GAA and the plaintiff and proceed to congress immediately.

It added that, the IAAF has recently made significant governance reforms and expects that in turn, its members follow the principles of good governance.

Members who fail to meet these high standards, such as organising their elective General Assembly every four years, may run the risk of being disqualified to participate in international competitions or see any financial benefits related to its membership are suspended.

Mr. Bawa said, “We want to go to congress as quickly as possible and have the elections, because Ghana stands to be banned and it would be of no interest if the Association is banned.”

Mr. Bawah said the GAA was fully prepared for the elections, insisting all materials required to carry out a successful election had already been printed and the only thing drawing back the process is the date.

The GAA election was scheduled for December 15, 2018, in Tamale; however, it was suspended due to a court injunction brought against them by its former president George Haldane-Lutterodt and 15 others.

The plaintiffs are of the view that, the process of the election including the number of delegates to vote has been flawed. –GNA