Games boycott threat remains after meetings

Press, 20 April 1982, Page 1

Games boycott threat remains after meetings

PA' Wellington Fears that Nigeria may lead an African boycott of the Brisbane Commonwealth Games remained after the Nigerian High Commissioner, Mr Edward Sanu, 'made a round of calls in Wellington yesterday. Mr Sanu said Nigeria's decision on its Games participation would depend on whether there had been a change in attitude in New Zealand over last year’s South African rugby tour. Mr Sanu met representatives of- the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. Asked if he was satisfied with the outcome of his talks, he replied: “No, not exactly.” The association’s president, Mr Lance Cross, said his organisation had not changed its position and that there had been no lessening or strengthening of the possibility of a boycott. Mr Cross said he regarded the meeting as “very important” in the lefd-up to the May 5 meeting in London of the Commonwealth Games Federation and the later meeting of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa.

“We set out our stance in respect to discrimination, opposition to apartheid, the call to support Gleneagles and our comment in respect of the New Zealand Rugby Union councillors going to

South Africa,” Mr Cross said. “Mr Sanu said he now understood the whole position. He made no request for a -further statement,” Mr Cross said. Mr Sanu emphasised that Nigeria would make its decision on Brisbane independently of other African nations. Nigeria was in a “much stronger position than the rest of Africa” and had a special responsibility, he said. The country chaired the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa and the United Nations committee on apartheid. ’

Earlier report, P2