I REFER to a letter in the Stabroek News edition of Monday May 7, 2012 captioned: “I welcome any opportunity to address steps to make the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) more democratic and effective” over the name of Mr. Christopher Ram, writing as “Former President, Guyana Table tennis Association.” Editor, I don’t always share Mr. Ram’s views in his other more political or professional capacities. However, I wholeheartedly support his observations and sentiments about the Old Boys Club governance of the Guyana Olympic Association. Once associated with a sports association which is affiliated to the GOA myself, I would often wonder and marvel at the imperious structure and convenient “rules of its constitution” which seem to make the umbrella GOA answerable to no affiliate – but only to itself.
I mean why only every four years should the GOA hold General Meetings and submit accounts? What example of accountability to member associations can that be? These audited financial accounts should be done annually, submitted to both member associations and the Ministry of Sport, to effect exemplary accountability and transparency.
Then there was/is the question of tenure of service and electability(?) As Christopher Ram has observed, the esteemed Attorney Mr. K Juman-Yassin has been GOA president for some 16 years and his loyal General Secretary Ivor O’Brien has been secured in that position for an unprecedented 30 plus years! Surely the time is appropriate for term limits for these incumbent GOA officials for life.
Surely too, the Guyana Olympic Association could benefit from new blood – independent of the current ‘kitchen cabinet’ – in this era of change in Guyana. Just how is the GOA hierarchy chosen? I recommend that the top boys follow the exemplary example of the same Christopher Ram. Step down, and allow other flowers to bloom. Look soon for some other thoughts about our GOA that trouble me.