No boycott at Rome for N.Z. athletes

Press, 2 September 1981, Page 3

No boycott at Rome for N.Z. athletes

NZPA London African nations will not boycott the Athletics World Cup meeting in Rome next week-end because of New Zealand's presence, but they are continuing attempts to have New Zealand athletes barred. For weeks there has been speculation that the Africans would boycott the event because of the tour of New Zealand by the Springboks. But the Associated Press reported from Rome that Mr Primo Nebiolo, the new president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation. announced yesterday that the Africans would compete. However, Reuter has reported from Nairobi that the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa will campaign for New Zealanders to be barred.

Kenya’s executive member on the S.C.S.A.. Mr John Kasyoka, said the council's president (Dr Abraham Ordia) was on his way to Rome to spell out its position. He was surprised that the African Amateur Athletic Confederation, an S.C.S.A. affiliate. had not asked for a ban on New Zealand as a condition for Africa's participation in the Rome event. Mr Kasyoka said the S.C.S.A. hoped to gain support in Rome from Arab and Caribbean countries. The World Cup is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Rome's Stadio Olympico. It involves nine teams: the United States, the Soviet Union, East Germany, Italy, Europe. Asia. Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.