Kosovo to Become a Member of ANOC
November 5, 2014
ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah has confirmed Kosovo will become a member of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) once they are accepted as a full member by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and the Balkan Republic was provisionally recognised by the IOC’s ruling Executive Board last month.
Full acceptance into the IOC is therefore expected to be a formality when the IOC membership decide during their Extraordinary General Assembly in Monte Carlo on December 8 and 9.
Speaking in Bangkok at an ANOC Executive Council meeting, Sheikh Ahmad confirmed that the umbrella organisation for National Olympic Committees would automatically follow the IOC decision.
ANOC vice-president Patrick Hickey also confirmed that, providing the IOC membership vote in favour, the nation will be permitted to compete in the inaugural European Games in Baku next June.
Kosovo will also then become a member of the European Olympic Committees, the continental body headed by Hickey.