GASA affiliate seeks Minister’s intervention into lack of accountability

Jul 23, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....k-of-accountability/

No audited statements since 2010

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) under the Presidency of Ivan Persaud who also holds the portfolio of Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) is under the spotlight as one of its affiliates is not satisfied with its modus operandi.
The longest serving member of the association, Dorado Speed Swim Club (DSSC) has sought the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry with regards to investigating GASA for alleged ‘lack of accountability’.
In the letter to the Minister, the club has indicated that there has not been any audited statements to the members since 2010 and based on this, is questioning how funds are given to the association which is not complying with regulations of the NSC Act.
It quoted the following NSC article in this regard: Article 20. (1) of the National Sports Commission Act states: “No grant from the funds of the Commission shall be made to any sports organisation unless the Commission is satisfied that such organisation does not contravene the provisions of this Act, keeps proper accounts and other records in respect of its operations and is prepared to give the undertaking required under subsection (2)”
The club stated that to the best of its knowledge and given the fact that no information is provided to them {DSSC}by the association, shared that the following funds were provided to the association in 2016 as follows: 1. Olympic Qualifier (Paraguay) – $650,000; 2. President Ivan Persaud – trip to Hungary – sum unknown; 3. Goodwill 2016 (St. Lucia) – $4,000,000+.
It is questioning how then the GASA Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st December, 2016 that was circulated at the February 2017 AGM shows a total income of 4,375,414 and does not include any funds from the NSC.
DSSC is contending that the lack of accountability is compounded by a pattern of exclusion of their club from funds obtained from the Government of Guyana through the National Sports Commission (NSC).
They went on to cite two examples to Minister Henry:
1. Goodwill Swimming Championships 2016 – On June 17, 2016 GASA held a meeting with parents of the children on the Goodwill Squad and informed them that the cost per child was US$1,239. Further, there was the possibility that parents would have to contribute to the cost of the official (meaning a possible cost of $1,500 per child). Dorado members said they could not afford this.
We knew nothing further until the team was leaving Guyana and a newspaper article stated that the NSC had contributed over four million dollars to the team.
2. Carifta 2017 – We were informed, by the travel agent being used by GASA, that he had provided an invoice for approximately $650,000 for travel to the Bahamas.
He was subsequently paid for two tickets. A Dorado swimmer (Ms. Lian Winter) had also attained Carifta qualifying times but GASA at no time informed us of the availability of funding. We contacted the Director of Sport and received $160,000 which covered most of the cost of Lian’s airfare.
DSSC has indicated to the Minister that they are prepared to meet with her to provide any further clarification that may be needed to rectify the issue in the interest of transparency and the future of Guyana’s young swimmers.