Fok replaces ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, who led the Working Group last year as it discussed issues such as the first ANOC Gala Awards ceremony held in November in Bangkok, as well as plans for the inaugural World Beach Games.

Elsewhere, St Lucia's Richard Peterkin will lead the Finance and Audit Commission, Canada's Michael Chambers the Juridical Commission and United States Olympic Committee head Larry Probst the Marketing and New Sources of Finance Commission.

British Olympic Association counterpart Sebastian Coe will continue to lead the Youth Working Group. while New Zealand's Barbara Kendall, Fiji's Robin Mitchell and Australia's Kevan Gosper will resume responsibility for the respective Athletes', Medical and Modernisation Follow-up Commissions.

Julio Maglione, the Uruguayan poised to become the President of the Pan American Sports Organization next month, will continue to lead the International Relations Commission, with Zimbabwe's Thomas Sithole vice-chair. 

ANOC and IOC officials pictured at the first ANOC Executive Council meeting of the year in January in Lausanne ©ANOC



Launched in December 2013, the nine Commissions and Working Groups are a major part of Sheikh Ahmad's reform agenda, as the body seeks "innovative ways to develop and improve the support it offers its 205 NOCs".

Implementing the action plans presented to, and approved by, the ANOC General Assembly in Bangkok last November, will be the main focus for 2015, it has been explained.

"When I took over as President of ANOC in April 2012 one of my core objectives was to develop our organisation and the support we provide our 205 NOCs," explained the Kuwaiti, who also leads the Olympic Council of Asia.

"By establishing nine ANOC Commissions and Working Groups we have been able to leverage the vast experience and expertise we have within our membership and create a platform for them to meet regularly, discuss the most pressing issues facing NOCs and identify and implement solutions.

"The Commissions and Working Groups did a fantastic job last year in presenting comprehensive action plans for 2015 to the ANOC General Assembly.

"Under the leadership of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and Olympic Agenda 2020 we have seen the importance of ensuring that collaborative discussions lead to decisions and definite action.

"After a year of conception, 2015 will be the year of implementation for ANOC.

"We have shown over the last three years that we are an organisation which delivers on its promises and we are committed to continuing to do just that.

"The initiatives proposed by the Commissions and Working Groups will directly benefit the NOCs and their athletes and improve the support we offer them."

The Groups will continue to meet over coming months, with the next ANOC Executive Council meeting coming in Lausanne in June ahead of October's General Assembly in Washington D.C. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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