By Avenash Ramzan
“I have every reason to believe that this article is part of a naked attack on my person, character and integrity which is politically motivated.”
The words of Director of Sport Christopher Jones in a statement issued on Tuesday evening in response to an article titled ‘National Sports Commission Director allegedly pays assistant $3M for doing nothing’ in one of the daily newspapers on Tuesday.
The article claimed that Jones “has found himself in ‘hot water’ after allegedly instructing the accountant of that entity to pay his Personal Assistant, Brian Smith, over $3M by way of a cheque.”
The article also highlighted several other perceived instances of malpractices with Jones the centre of those allegations. The newspaper claimed to have evidence to support these claims.
In his response, Jones noted, “It is never my intention to discuss these issues in the public domain, unfortunately, the issue was placed in the public domain and therefore I must defend my good character.”
He continued, “I wish to unequivocally state that this article is based on falsehoods and I reject any assertion or allegation of improper conduct on my part as Director of Sport. At all times I have executed my duties with the highest level of integrity and within the law. Further, I have forged strong relationships between the National Sports Commission and all national and other sporting bodies as I have worked assiduously to raise the profile of sports in Guyana. Mine is a tireless and thankless task, but one which I pursue with enthusiasm, zeal and a passion for the sector.”
Jones further stated that from his interaction with the various sport organisations, he has every reason to believe that he enjoys a high level of confidence and trust from the entire sport fraternity.
“This has been achieved even as I have operated under severe internal constraints and with limited resources – the details of which I do not wish to disclose at this time. Nonetheless, my work in sports is on public record as is my achievements and performance in the sector,” Jones noted.
He added, “I have every reason to believe that this article is part of a naked attack on my person, character and integrity which is politically motivated. Further, it is my view that the intellectual authors of this attack are steeped in envy of the achievements of the NSC and the consequent positive public attention which has followed. I do not believe that it is any coincidence that this attack has come mere weeks after the successful and critically acclaimed NSC Sports Awards at which the medallists of Guyana’s CARIFTA Team were awarded University of Guyana scholarships by the NSC.”
Jones further stated that he is pleased to learn that an investigation into those allegations is being conducted.
“I commit my full and unreserved cooperation with same as I am confident that I and my team at the NSC will be completely vindicated. Further, I call for an independent investigation in uncovering the intellectual authors of the article and that those culpable have appropriate action taken against them by the relevant authorities. The source of the Kaieteur News article is unfortunate, but as a disciplined public servant, I shall say no more.”
