Former Judo executives debunks current executives’ claim

Jul 31, 2015 Sports

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Adamant that all is not well in the sport

By Michael Benjamin

Just two days after President of the Guyana Judo Association, Raoul Archer and several members of his executive committee have painted a glorious picture of the works of that organization two former members of that entity have debunked those claims while proclaiming that the current executives are illegal.
The former treasurer and secretary, Andy Moore and William Blackman respectively, are adamant that the current entity is illegal following arbitrary actions by the then Geoff Sankies led executive a few years ago to change the name of the organization from the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) to its current name, Judo Association of Guyana (JAG).
The two former executives were responding to certain statements of the Raoul Archer led executives in an article that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of Kaieteur News and headlined, ‘Challenges abound but Judo Federation executives press on determinedly.’ Mr. Moore is adamant that the GJA is illegal based on what transpired a few years ago. “Under the (Geoff) Sankies Presidency the Guyana Judo Association was arbitrarily changed to the Judo Association of Guyana and it was never reverted, so naturally Mr. Archer cannot lay claims to legality of the Presidency,” exhorted Mr. Moore.
He explained that Mr. Sankies had opted for the name change which placed the organization under the auspices of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) as against the Friendly Society. The ploy also necessitated constitutional changes. Mr. Moore said that even before Mr. Archer ascended to the Presidential seat he (Moore) had advised him to hold a referendum to effect any such changes. “This was not done and when Mr. Archer travelled to Brazil he would have done so as the President of the JAG,” explained Mr. Moore. He said that the officials of the ruling body refused to recognize the JAG and so Archer is illegally occupying the post.
Mr. Archer debunks this claim saying that the officials of the International Judo Federation (IJF) have endorsed his presidency when he (Archer) had ventured to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2013, to attend a congress hosted by the parent body. Mr. Archer said that his executive recognized that the name change was illegal and he had attended the Brazil forum as a representative of the Guyana Judo Association.
“That is dishonest; Mr. Archer was never elected to that position but rather to the Presidency of the JAG,” contends Mr. Moore. The former treasurer pointed out that Mr. Sankies had been the President of the JAG in 2012 but had subsequently declined a nomination at the Annual General meeting that year which saw the ascension of Mr. Archer to the top post. “At no time was there a reversion to the former GJA and I am challenging the current President to provide the evidence that he was duly elected under the umbrella of the GJA and not the JAG.”
There are also added concerns and both Blackman and Moore are also questioning the disappearance of the $5 million grant by the IJA. Both said that the money was deposited in the organization’s accounts but disappeared devoid of the requisite accountability. Moore further pointed out that as the treasurer he was then a main signatory to the account along with another identified executive. He said that the name change (of the organization) coupled with his resignation, dictated that the bank be informed of the changes, while putting the modalities in place to accommodate the new signatories.
“I was approached to affix my signature for a withdrawal but refused to be a part of such skullduggery,” maintains Mr. Moore. He could not say how the money was withdrawn from the account but is adamant that something was amiss.
Meanwhile, Mr. Blackman said that while on the executive body he had agitated for the construction of a Dojo to facilitate training sessions and other practical activities. “The plan was already approved and a site was identified in George Street Werk-en-Rust but the project never reached to fruition,” said Mr. Blackman. So, where did the $5 million grant disappear to? “I would advise that you direct that question to the present administration,” said Mr. Blackman.
In response, 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.
Mr. Moore said that to his knowledge the Association was solvent by some $700,000.
In an earlier discussion Mr. Archer had said that he had ventured to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2013, to attend a congress hosted by the International Judo Federation (IJF). He also said that he had attended the forum as the President of the GJA. He also said that the Judo Federation President was able to set the record straight and the JAG was reinstated as the GJA. “Nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Moore, “Mr. Archer could not have attended the Brazil forum as the President of the GJA since he was elected as President of the JAG,” explained Mr. Moore. To support his contention Mr. Moore challenges Mr. Archer to provide the requisite evidence to his claim to the Presidency (GJA). “He must state the date of the AGM and also provide the minutes of the meeting,” said Mr. Moore. He also explained that one of the prerequisites dictated that the AGM be advertised at least three weeks prior to the actual date. “I challenge Mr. Archer to provide evidence that this statute was adhered to,” Moore said.
When contacted yesterday afternoon Mr. Archer denied most of Moore’s claims. He further suggested that this journalist enquire of Mr. Moore what his contribution to the sport is.

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