Mr Ordia critical of lack of embassies

Press, 14 August 1978, Page 6

Mr Ordia critical of lack of embassies

Mr Abraham Ordia, president of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa, has criticised New Zealand for “not hating a single embassy or mission on the whole continent of Africa.” If Sew Zealand did not have a single official representative in Africa, how could it tell what the hopes, a id aspirations of Africans were? he said in an interview v. ith rhe publisher of the • Edmonton Journal,” Mr J P < (’Callaghan. Mr Ordia expressed disap-* p mtment with rhe amount’ r ■' and pace of progress n-.ng made in Sew Zealand on sporting contacts with South Africa. He agreed that ■ New Zealand's policy of integrated sport was an en'ightened one. but said < arada’s attitude contrasted greatly with that of New Zea- • There is hardly a count- where Canada hasn’t a presence. She is repre- 1 sented m trade, culture.] travel, education, and sports. l If an African wants to go to] Canada to study, he knows! where to go for adv ice,” he said. Mr Ordia has gone to great

pains to explain belatedly, that the withdrawal of Nigeria was not because of anything Canada had done. “Move Canada so much and it was a bitter blow not to be able to bring the Nigerian team here. We have absolutely nothing against Canada. How can I convince you of that?” However, .Mr Ordia will not question his country's decision to withdraw from the Games at the last moment

m protest against New Zealand's sporting contacts with South Africa He maintains that NewZealand has not taken suf- 1 ificient “positive steps” in support of the Gleneagles* Agreement, which was in- ’ 'tended to prevent Commoni wealth countries having I sporting links with South . Africa. Meeting in Edmonton, the I Commonwealth Games Fed-! eration adopted a resolution • calling for “full implementa-l tion” of the 1977 Gleneagles* Agreement. The resolution

, was put forward by* Mr Ordia. but no mention was made of New Zealand’s! alleged sporting contacts. Sir Alexander Ross, chairman of the federation, has: denied suggestions that his; organisation was aligning: itself with the particular political position of one mem-! ber. Commonwealth leaders] had passed the agreement] and it was only proper fori the federation to support it.l However, he said it had not! been necessary to pass the] Nigerian resolution because jail Commonwealth countries' ! agreed with the Gleneagles ' Agreement The possibility of action, against Nigeria for its late withdrawal.had not been con-: sidered Because one member of rhe federation had done 1 (something the others might! not approve of did not mean;that disciplinary action (should be taken. Asked if he agreed that: New Zealand had been; "painted with a bad brush” over charges of sporting contacts with South Africa. Sir ■Alexander said that New: Zealand had said many times! [that it was not guilty of any-! thing.

r From ROD DEW T in Edmonton