(ATR) Papua New Guinea basketball player Karo Lelai is the new chair of the ANOC Athletes’ Commission.
Lelai, who chairs the Oceania Athletes’ Commission, was the unanimous choice of the other four Continental Association Athletes’ Commission chairs from Africa, Asia, Europe and Panam Sports.
The election was held Monday in advance of the General Assembly, in Tokyo.
Lelai, an attorney specializing in commercial and resource law, will serve through 2022. She succeeds Barbara Kendall, the three-time Olympic windsurfing medalist from New Zealand who completed her five-year term as the inaugural chair.
"It is overwhelming but hugely exciting to face the challenges ahead for the ANOC Athletes’ Commission," Lelai said. "With the support of the other four Continental Athlete Chairs, the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the athletes of Oceania, I am keen to maximize Barbara’s previous experience and have already engaged in a dialogue about future next steps with her."
Lelai is also a member of the PNG Olympic Committee and a FIBA Executive Board member. She was the captain of the PNG women's basketball team and retired after the Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia, in 2011.
"I am delighted that Karo has been elected to this role," Kendall said. "She will bring a diversity of thinking and experience to the position and I wish her the best of luck. I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of leading the Commission to the stage and stature it is at now. We have had a fruitful five years and I am incredibly proud of the deliverables which we have achieved."
The ANOC Athletes’ Commission Toolkit was created under Kendall’s leadership and each continent now hosts a regional Athletes’ Forum.
Monday was a busy day for meetings. Gatherings included the Marketing & New Sources of Finance Commission, Finance & Audit Commission, Legal Commission, Modernization Follow Up Commission, Events Working Group Commission, Medical Commission and International Relations Commission. The ONOC Executive also met.
On Tuesday, the Olympic Solidarity Commission, ANOC Youth Commission, OCA Women & Sport Commission, the ANOC Executive Council and Panam Sports Executive Council will meet. A Japanese Olympic Committee reception concludes the day.
Written by Ed Hula in Tokyo
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