Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - Ghana has initiated steps to challenge the legality of the suspension of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).

The IOC lifted high its disciplinary rod on the GOC last Thursday citing Governmental interference, a decision which bars Ghana from participating in competitions organized by the world body notably the Londo= n 2012 Olympic Games.

A highly placed official source told GNA Sports that Government has contracted a team of season lawyers to contest the ruling by the IOC Executive Board since the suspension contravenes the conditions put up by the global body, constituted by 205 countries.

"We will take our case up with CAS. We have contacted some seasoned lawyers and will soon begin the process," the source noted. According to the source, under no circumstance does the IOC Charter state that National Associations will only be recognized after the amendmen= t of Sports Bills as with the case of Ghana.

The official observed that the IOC mandated the National Sports Counci= l (NSC) to hold independent elections for the various Sports Associations, a= n order they have strictly adhered to despite contravening the 91SMCD 54' Article 11 (a), regarding the constitution of National Associations. The source added that the recognition of the various Associations by their respective International Federations in the aftermath of the election= s held last year serves a positive action point for their case, whilst insisting that the IOC has been completely misled by the Benson Tongo Baba-led GOC.

The source was upbeat about the outcome of the CAS approach in line with placing Ghana sports back on the world map in the not too distant future.

The GOC brouhaha came as a result of a stand-off in the GOC following the June 30, 2009, General Assembly which saw the election of Professor Francis Dodoo as President of the Committee to replace Benson Tongo Baba. The IOC subsequently drew a roadmap for Ghana which included the passage of the Sports Bill, currently before Cabinet by close of last year.