Challenges abound but Judo Federation executives press on determinedly

Jul 29, 2015 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
Amidst the many accolades, one of the major achievements of any sports body, whether local or international, is to procure an Olympic gold medal and the executives of the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) nurture similar ambitions as they enact strategies and systems to enhance such chances.

Towards this end those officials had fielded Rawle Lall for the 2012 London Olympics in an effort that procured dismal results after Lall failed to meet the high standards.  Undeterred, the executives continued to address their respective mandates and after getting their house in order, are ready to address the issues that would bear the required fruit.
Administrators were faced with several challenges and unorthodox issues that had compromised the effective administrative flow and chief among them was the unilateral change of name from the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) to the Judo Association of Guyana (JAG). Geoff Sankies was then the President of the GJA during that transition period. The name change also necessitated constitutional adjustments thus allowing the JAG to function devoid of Government intervention and from under the auspices of the Friendly Society. The name change facilitated the JAG to conduct their business directly under the auspices of the GOA.
The name change was contentious and some members felt that the transition was illegal thus compromising the development of the sport since the International Judo Federation (IJF) was adamant that the requisite procedures were not adhered to. It was amidst such uncertainty that Mr. Archer ventured to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2013, to attend a congress hosted by the International Judo Federation (IJF). It was also at this forum that the Judo Federation President was able to set the record straight and the JAG was reinstated as the GJA.
Yesterday morning Kaieteur Sport engaged Mr. Archer and several members of his executive in a wide range of issues pertaining to the aforementioned issue as well as the future of the sport. Those that attended the forum were Secretary, Imam Naeem Muhammad, Vice President, William Archer and Treasurer, Hilbert Archer. “The new executive recognized that the name change was illegal and I attended the Brazil forum as a representative of the Guyana Judo Association,” informed Mr. Archer. This was in contradiction of accusations to the contrary by some concerned affiliates. He also presented documentation to this effect in the form of a large plaque presented by officials of the parent body. The document was duly signed by President (IJF) Maurius L Vizer and his General Secretary, Jean Luc Rouge and identified the local association by its initial name.
It was not an easy journey for the new executives; Treasurer, Hilbert Archer, explained that upon ascension into office the new executive set about rectifying their financial issues. He said that in 2010, the IJF had assisted the local entity with five million dollars to offset the financial demands towards a developmental programme but accountability issues had cast a dark shadow over the sports body. Consequently, upon assuming office Mr. Archer said that they sought the services of accounting firm Ram & McRae and conformed to auditing procedures for the years 2010 through 2012. He said that in keeping with the accountability process they had dispatched electronic copies to several affiliates including the (former) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Guyana Olympic Association, the Pan American Judo Confederation, the International Judo Federation and the Friendly Society.
It was after such house cleaning that the GJF executives set about with their programme for 2015. Following an Executive Statutory meeting in January they hosted the Republic Championships the following month. The executives further engaged in grading exercises and school demonstrations while organizing fund raisers. Several other tournaments and initiatives have augmented their programme and the year’s itinerary will culminate with the locals participating in the 15th Barbados International Judo tournament set for that Island early in December.
Mr. Archer admits that there is still much work to be done if his entity is to rise above the many challenges. He has been busy traveling to other countries to various conferences and meetings. Apart from the Brazil sojourn, Mr. Archer had journeyed to Mexico last year where he engaged senior officials on the possibility of having the sport played at the Carifta level. He had also been in Canada and engaged several Caribbean countries in similar discussions. He said that he is awaiting definitive responses from those whom he engaged.
Quizzed on the direction of the sport, Mr. Archer admitted that his organization still has a lot of ground to cover. He mentioned Guyana’s participation at the 2012 London Olympics where the sole representative, Rawle Lall, was woefully outclassed and underscored the importance of attending high profile tournaments in the future.
Meanwhile, Imam Naeem Muhammad said that in keeping with this understanding they are currently establishing various sub-committees to strengthen the executive body in an effort to promote the all round development of the sport.

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