Board of Directors 2016/3 in Conakry (GUI)

CONAKRY (GUI) - On the African land of Guinea Republic, CISM BoD officials attended the third statutory meeting of the year 2016.

The first official event was the opening ceremony of the event 2016 marked with the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Diané, Minister of Defense, Lt-General Namory Traoré Chief of General Staff of the Guinean Armed Forces, and Mr Siaka Barry, Minister of Sport of Guinea.

In a room packed with high dignitaries from the Armed Forces, National Olympic Committee, sports federations’ representatives and military attachés, the CISM President, Colonel AbdulHakeem Alshino reminded the important contribution of the Guinean Armed Forces to the CISM development and management of activities. The Minister of Defense, from his side reminded the importance of sport as a vector of unity and people’s education in his country and acknowledged the importance of military sport in general and in guinea particularly. High dignitaries from Guinea were bestowed with CISM order of Merit Decorations on that occasion.

The following 3 days were very intense to cover all agenda points which had been scheduled. Traditionally the last BoD meeting of the year serves to recap the main achievements of the ongoing year and to prepare the most salient events of the year to come. Many topics could be reviewed by CISM officials, a.o. the final preparation of the 2nd CISM World Football Cup 2017 in Oman (13-26 Jan) and the 3rd CISM World Winter Games (22-26 Feb.)

CISM benefits from a very strong reputation in Africa and particularly in Guinea Republic, homeland of the CISM SG, Colonel Koita. Several audiences were scheduled in evenings. On 17 October evening, the Minister of Defense received all BoD Members on official audience and he was decorate in the CISM Order of Merit. On 20 October morning, the Prime Minister, on his turn received all CISM officials for an audience.

During the closing dinner co-chaired by CISM President and Minister of National Defense, a music band composed exclusively by female soldiers entertained all participants to African songs rhythm… and all BoD were offered traditional African clothes to feel more than ever the African hospitality.

(Source: Olivier Verhelle, CISM CEO)