Why the GAPLF not holding overdue AGM

Jun 03, 2021 Sports

Letter to the Sports Editor…

Dear Editor,

Please permit us some space in your daily newspaper to pen a concern against The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation.
Why the non-compliance of GAPLF to hold constitutionally overdue AGM?
It is with serious concern that this letter is being penned to highlight a grave constitutional lapse on the part of the Ed Caesar led Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation which has not held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) well past the constitutional time frame.
The last AGM took place on February 8th, 2020 when Mr. Caesar and his entire executive committee was re-elected en-block, Caesar, for his fifth consecutive one-year term.
Section 5 (Election of GAPLF officers) Article 1 of the GAPLF constitution speaks to the election being held yearly and (a) of the said section states that, ‘The election of the GAPLF will take place at an Annual General Meeting.
Section 5 Article 3 (1) makes reference to the terms of office which states that it is one (1) year.
It specifically states: 1. The term of office for all officers of the GAPLF shall be for one year and the mandate of all officers, even those who were elected between electoral General Assemblies, shall expire at the electoral General Assembly. All officers shall be eligible for re-election.
So then, the question has to be asked, why the GAPLF has not seen it fit to adhere to the constitutional requirements?
But yet they held athletes accountable when they breached the same constitution and that of the IPF.
We are all well aware that covid-19 would have presented challenges in terms of large gatherings but this is no excuse for non-compliance. A number of other associations and federations have fulfilled their constitutional mandates and held their AGM’s; coming to mind readily are the GFF and the Guyana Tennis Association.
A venue should not be an issue with the National Racquet Centre being available as the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport which controls that facility would be more than willing to make it available once they are approached.
As a matter of fact, previous GAPLF AGM’s would have taken place at this same venue. Another option can be a virtual event with members being made to pay their annual subscriptions via other mediums prior to the AGM.
It is very bad that the Federation has not followed the constitution and must be held accountable for this as athletes would be held accountable for breaches of the constitution.
Mr. President and executive members, you are the servants of this sport and you must never lose sight of this fact.
The AGM, which is long overdue, must be called or the international body will be contacted to highlight this grave situation.
Respectfully,
Concerned Athletes

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