At least four sports circles are recommending their delegates to the Norwegian Sports Council vote for Zaineb Al-Samarai as president of the Norwegian Sports Confederation.

At the same time, support for incumbent sports president Berit Kjøll is limited. This is shown by a survey conducted by NTB among eleven sports circles in the country.

The largest sports circle, Viken, which has 13 votes on the sports council, says it follows the recommendation of the selection committee and therefore opts for Zaineb Al-Samarai.

The same goes for sports circles Trøndelag (eight votes), Troms and Finnmark (seven votes) and Møre and Romsdal (four votes).

– We had an in-depth discussion about Zaineb and Berit in the board, and we interviewed them and asked them what they want for Norwegian sport. We were very early and signaled that we want to support Zaineb, and in addition we have great confidence in the electoral committee, explains Geir Knutsen, chairman of the Troms and Finnmark sports circle to NTB.

He also stresses the importance of peace of mind for the new board.

– There is no doubt that the reputation and trust in the Norwegian Sports Confederation took a hit with what happened, he said.
Several are sitting on the fence

Five sports circles declare that they have not yet decided on support for the presidential election. Nordland, for its part, exempted its delegates and allowed them to vote as they saw fit.

No sporting circles are currently announcing their support for Kjøll.

Many Circles also specify that they will not bind their delegates, and therefore it is not certain that all of their votes will go to the Circle’s preferred candidate. Some circles must meet with both candidates before making a decision.

Al-Samarai’s own circle, the Oslo Sports Circle, did not respond to NTB’s requests, but has already registered her as a presidential candidate.

The Sports Council is held in Bergen the first weekend of June.
Here is what the circles say:

* Viken (13 voices): Zaineb Al-Samarai

* Vestland (8): Undecided

* Trøndelag (8): Zaineb Al-Samarai

* Inland (8): Undecided (recorded Al-Samarai)

* Vestfold and Telemark (7): Undecided

* Troms and Finnmark (7): Zaineb Al-Samarai

* Agder (6): Undecided

* Oslo (5): did not respond (recorded Al-Samarai)

* Rogaland (5): Undecided

* Nordland (4): exempted its delegates

* Møre and Romsdal (4): Zaineb Al-Samarai
These vote in the presidential election:

* Sports circles: 75 votes

* Special associations: 75 votes

* Sports Council: 14 votes

(© NTB)