Kuwaiti Sheihk Ahmad (pictured top, right), elected as President of ANOC in April last year - replacing Mexico's Mario Vázquez Raña who held the position for 37 years - was also awarded the Medal of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) at the ceremony.

The Olympic powerbroker received the honour from Lassana Palenfo (pictured top, left), who is seeking elected unopposed as President of ANOCA tomorrow, for what he called efforts in strengthening ties among continental sports organisations, as well as in serving the principles of the international Olympic Movement and young athletes around the world.

A spokesman for Sheikh Ahmad, 49, who has been President of the OCA since 1995 and a former head of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) told a local news agency that the Sheikh was proud to receive the honour and expressed his gratitude to the people of the Ivory Coast.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
June 2012: Sheikh Ahmad confirmed as new chairman of Olympic Solidarity
April 2012: Sheikh Ahmad congratulated by Putin after officially being elected new head of ANOC