MOC curious about new IOC president
The Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) is curious about newly-elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach’s stand on ‘smaller’ national olympic committees (NOCs).
German Bach was voted in during an IOC congress in Argentina on Tuesday to replace retiring Belgian Jagues Rogger, who initiated several projects in smaller nations such as Malawi, hence MOC president Oscar Kanjala’s curiosity.
“Mr. Bach brings his experience to the Olympic movement, having been there for so many years. What we are not sure of is what agenda he has for smaller NOCs,” said Kanjala when asked for his opinion on the new leader.
“His predecessor realised the struggles most NOCs were having, mostly in infrastructure. Jagues Rogger initiated the birth of the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Zambia, one of the only two in the world. Our hope is that Mr. Bach will continue on this and other developmental projects. Malawi would certainly cherish the prospect of benefiting from similar projects.”
“I want to lead the IOC according to my motto ‘unity in diversity’. I want to be a president for all of you. This means I will do my very best to balance well all the different interests of the stakeholders of the Olympic Movement. This is why I want to listen to you and to enter into an ongoing dialogue with all of you. You should know that my door, my ears, and my heart are always open for you,” Bach said in his acceptance speech.
