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Boyce sets the records straight

Feb 09, 2013 Sports

Dear Editor,
I read with total dismay an article captioned “AAG left cash strapped and in debt” in the Thursday edition of the Stabroek News, and despite not being moved by its negatives, I am forced to respond to set the records straight.
It was only Tuesday evening that I met with the newly-elected President, the Vice-President and Treasurer, which was well-received. The sole aim of the meeting was to discuss the way forward for the AAG (Athletics Association of Guyana) and athletics where I indicated my position as a non-contender for the Presidency even if fresh elections were to be called and the possibility of a withdrawal of the writ.
It was the perfect forum for healthy discussions (or at least so I thought), so I decided to inform the representatives of the AAG of the financial position of the association and other issues. Surprisingly, Mr. Hutson twisted the information he received for whatever reasons and spoke to the press.
For the records, the AAG receives a grant from the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) for the running of its affairs and its attendance at IAAF sanctioned Meets, which is paid in three instalments of US$5,000 if all the requirements are met after the submission of an annual report, which has a deadline of March 31.
With little or no finance, the first quarter of the AAG’s calendar year is usually tough given the IAAF disbursements structure. It means that acquiring trophies, airline tickets for competitions, athletes and officials etc. through a credit system becomes necessary at times. An understanding we have with respective organisations.
The AAG, like other national associations, is indebted to the GOA (Guyana Olympic Association), which is the parent body for all Olympic Sports since the 2010 CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games.
It is quite true that the AAG is indebted to Connections Travel Service to the tune of $248, 938. It was understood that this money would have been paid after the AAG receives a $US2000 reimbursement from the IAAF for a ticket for Stephon James.
Mr. Hutson claimed he spent $50,000 trying to establish a Coaching Structure because the IAAF has been deducting from the money that were received by the AAG for all these years since it did not have a Coaching Structure. This I find very strange and misleading. In fact, the AAG only have to submit a Coaching Structure, at no cost, to the IAAF based on a required format.
It was Mr. Hutson’s choice to host a meeting with the Coaches at the Hilton Restaurant rather than the usual venue, Olympic House. So if indeed he spent $50,000 that is a personal and private matter that should not be mentioned in the context of the AAG financial position, or to make any point thereof. I find that to be very unprofessional.
Mr. Hutson also needs to be guided since the AAG cannot be sanctioned for not participating in the South American Youth Championships, having participated in the South American Youth Under-23 Championships. If indeed Mr. Hutson said what he said about the then President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic (now Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic) as the article purports, then he is portraying a different picture of himself publicly. He would have met privately with the hosts and endorsed this event to continue on the AAG calendar.
It is my sincere hope that Mr. Hutson does not transfer the kind of leadership he showed at the helm of the East Demerara Football Association and at the helm of Running Braves Athletics Club to the AAG, which was given a new life over the last four years.
I refuse to comment on the other issues in the article since they are simply a distortion of the facts.
Colin Boyce

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