Rwanda National Olympic Committee (RNOC) boss Ignace Beraho will face tough challenge in his campaign to land the powerful post of the Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca).

The General Secretary post is likely to be contested by five candidates, the other four coming from Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Two more  candidates from unnamed African countries are also likely to join the race for the post before the Anoca general assembly converges in Abuja, Nigeria from July 6-8.

Beraho, nominated last month enjoys huge support from East and Central African regions.

The renowned but sometimes controversial veteran sports administrator wants to replace Angolan Gustavo Conceicao, who resigned as Anoca secretary-general last November.

One of Beraho’s potential rivals is Robert Mutsauki, the Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee. Other potential candidates are yet to submit their credentials to the election organizers.

"I have lobbied with every member state in Eastern Africa as well as Central Africa and I am looking forward to go to other zones soon to solicit for more votes,” Beraho said.

Beraho, who has served the local Olympic Committee for eight years, said that it was still too early to predict his chances but thinks that his campaign is very much on track.

"I feel optimistic by the positive feedback that I’m getting not only from the electorate but from other stakeholders, who work in partnership with Anoca in one way or another,” he noted. And if elected, he will become the first Rwandan to become the boss of this powerful African sport organization.

Apart from the post of secretary general, the other posts that are up for grabs are those of president, four vice-presidents, treasurer and a female board member to address the issue of gender equity.

The Anoca meeting will be attended by, among other dignitaries, the IOC president Jacques Rogge and the committee’s members such as Sam Ramsamy of South Africa and former Namibian track star Frankie Fredericks.

Ends