Mustapha Berraf is out as Algerian Olympic Committee President and says he now will dedicate himself to ANOCA
Berraf had been facing scandals on two fronts, and resigned this week from his domestic post
Mustapha Berraf tells Olympics Everywhere that his resignation from the Algerian Olympic Committee will now give him time to “devote myself to [the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Presidency] and do even better in my duty as an IOC member”.
Berraf confirmed his resignation to Olympics Everywhere after the Algerian media reported it earlier this week. He did not offer any new statements on his resignation besides what was given to Algerian press agency APS:
There has been an attack on my honor and that of my family, my resignation is irreversible and irrevocable, this is my last day as president of the COA.
My decision was notified to the Executive Committee, yesterday's meeting (Tuesday) was official, not informal. It was recorded in the minutes. This resignation will be presented to the members of the general assembly.
Berraf had faced multiple scandals as head of the Algerian Olympic Committee, to all of which he denied. The IOC even opened an ethics investigation into Berraf due to the allegations of corruption.
Now, Berraf will continue as head of ANOCA despite calls for clarity of its finances and members demanding answers about alleged contracts related to the 2019 African Games.
“I am frankly, relieved,” Berraf said about his resignation from the Algerian Olympic Committee.
He cited attacks on his family weakening his mandate and leading to him to step down. Previously Berraf had faced calls from his own Minister of Sport to step down.
Berraf said he could “probably” move to Abuja where ANOCA’s headquarters are in light of the current situation in Algeria. Berraf is involved in the organization of the 2021 Mediterranean Games in Oran, Algeria, however.
He said that he hoped to use his time to “[bring] ANOCA to international management standards”.
With less than five months to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, plenty of work remains for Africa, as it continues to work to move past the current crisis gripping the highest echelons of sport administration on the continent.
Berraf’s IOC membership was tied to his position as ANOCA President, so he said “my conscience is calm” as it relates to both positions.
“I only work for the general interest and in particular that of African athletes who have very important potentials,” Berraf added.
What I Am Reading:
It has been a while so the big thing going on in the Olympics world is Coronavirus (something I’m working on for this newsletter), but here are some stories you should be reading about it!
-IOC member Dick Pound tells the AP that there is a window until the end of May to make a call on if COVID-19 will affect Tokyo 2020, potentially even cancelling it.
-Tokyo organizers hit back at that suggestion pretty quickly with Kyodo reporting the Olympics Minister and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike say there are no talks of a possible cancellation.
-Nancy Armour of USA Today writes in her latest column that the COVID-19 fears with Tokyo 2020 are premature and overblown.
-There could be a real tangible effect on the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay with downsizing because of COVID-19, reports Kyodo.
-A London mayoral candidate offered to host the 2020 Olympics due to COVID-19, but The Telegraph reports British authorities reached out to their Japanese counterparts to apologize and reiterate the city is not attempting to host the 2020 Olympics.
-Crowd sizes at Tokyo 2020 may be diminished if the COVID-19 outbreak continues, says The Japan Times.
-Unrelated to COVID-19, Tokyo organizers are facing backlash after a traditional Ainu dance was scrapped from the Opening Ceremony, according to The Guardian.