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Ram flays GOA over lack of accountability
– Believe two-term limit is enough for association heads
Outgoing President of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), Christopher Ram Thursday night flayed
the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) in his address at the association’s Annual General Meeting and Elections for what he called lack of accountability and transparency.
“I am embarrassed to state that as members of the Guyana Olympics Association, we have never been provided with a copy of the GOA’s financial reports. It is our view that all national bodies owe a duty to their members and to the general public to provide them with timely, accurate and reliable financial information,” Ram said in his address.
The prominent accountant and lawyer believe that the GOA and the National Sports Commission (NSC) should set examples in that regard. “We cannot criticise others for lack of accountability and transparency when our practice and conduct are no better,” he posited.
Ram said that his association is leading in that regard with the presentation of audited financial statements at the AGM. He described the association’s financial position as “moderately strong” and shared the view that heads of associations should not serve more than two terms.
“As you are aware, in 2010, we amended the Constitution to prevent any president from serving for more than two terms. I believe this is [the way] it should be s
Christopher Ram
ince for organisations to grow and develop they need to be continually injected with fresh blood and new ideas,” Ram said.
“Sports in Guyana have
been retarded as organisations continue to operate as self-perpetuating oligarchies headed by virtual presidents for life. Those organisations operate under opaque constitutions that preclude any attempt at transparency and accountability,” he continued.
“It is time we learn from cricket where a twenty-year presidency in the Guyana Cricket Board was followed by a period of national turmoil from which we are still recovering. I would like to see all our national sporting bodies operating under proper and effective laws and operating within strict rules on reporting, accountability and term limits,” he posited.
Ram noted that one of the biggest disappointments for the GTA has been its failure to establish a working and cordial relationship with the Government. He informed that his association has been trying relentlessly without success to engage Government.
“The Ministry of Sports as well as the National Sports Commission have ignored our invitations so often that except for special occasions, we no longer invite them to any of our functions, and activities. It was a great disappointment at the commissioning of the President College’s Tennis Court that, notwithstanding a rescheduling to a date more convenient, neither the Minister of Education, nor any of the Minister or Director of Sport or the Permanent secretary of the Ministry found it possible to attend,” Ram noted in his address.
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