NOC Presidency: Gumel Pledges Reforms If Re-elected  

The incumbent president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has promised that the body will undergo a speedy reforms if re-elected for another term.

Gumel, who spoke at the weekend assured that there would be changes to make the NOC more vibrant and alive to the yearnings of the Nigerian stakeholders in sports.

He said there would be a review of the constitution just as there would be more inclusiveness through the 10 commissions of the body.

“It is not an easy process but we just have to do it so that more people will join to strengthen the entire system. There will be a review of the constitution and this will also be evaluated by the board after which we will also take it all to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for approval.

“Each of the commissions have members in different areas like technical, education, etc. but we want to boost them for better operations,’’ Gumel assured

On the forthcoming December 15 elections of the NOC slated for Jalingo, Taraba State, Gumel expressed optimism of getting the nod again just as he spoke on the wide spread insinuation that he has lost his voting rights in the IOC.

“People are saying that I’m an ordinary member of Nigeria and I can’t vote. It is not true. There is no seat for other countries, there’s nothing like that. It’s not like United Nation or African Union. Note that people are elected in their country.

“I’m a member in my own country, it’s the same here. It’s not a right, they have the right to choose from any country. We have 54 countries but we have only 15 IOC members, you can see the ratio. It’s not automatic, it’s not a right. I am the one lobbying now to get additional members because some countries in Europe have two. I’m lobbying through my connections,” Gumel added.