A motion was successfully passed on Tuesday afternoon for elections at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to be held on March 21.
Elections were slated for Tuesday evening at the GOA headquarters at Liliendaal, but the legality of the GOA notice to affiliates on March 7 came under scrutiny since Secretary-General Hector Edwards claimed he did not sign or authorise the correspondence.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Edwards has not been functioning in that capacity for two and a half years. It is still unclear who signed the letter.
Guyana Tennis Association President Cristy Campbell, at the pre-meeting, proposed that given the cloud that hung over the electoral process, that it now be held within seven days, as per the constitutional requirement.
That was seconded by Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle.
President of Archery Guyana Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, in support of the motion, quoted the GOA constitution, which made provisions for the elections to be held within seven days.
“If for some reason the meeting cannot be held, it shall be reconvened one week later at the same time and at the same location,” the Attorney-at-Law quoted from article 11.3.9 of the constitution.
Representatives of other associations then vented their concerns, with the majority calling for speedy resolution to the issue. One recommendation in this regard was to authorise the Assistant Secretary Deion Nurse to sign documents on behalf of the Secretary-General.
An emergency Council Meeting was then convened, and by a show of hands, it was decided that the electoral process will now be held on March 21.
Importantly though, the issue of ineligibility of some associations to vote was also raised. This will be addressed on March 21.
Nominees for Officers of the Association
President: Godfrey Munroe, Robin Singh
Vice-President: Steve Ninvalle, Philip Fernandes, Cristy Campbell, Aliann Pompey
Secretary-General: Dr. Karen Pilgrim, Keavon Bess, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon
Treasurer: Garfield Wiltshire
Assistant Secretary-General: Deion Nurse, Emelia Ramdhani, Latoya Herbert
Assistant Treasurer: Deion Nurse, Mike Singh, Emelia Ramdhani
The GOA is set to have a new president after the General Council last June voted in favour of a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its governance principles to limit the age of executive members of the IOC and its affiliate members of national Olympic Committees.
The IOC has recommended an age limit of 70 years for functioning executive members. The current GOA President K.A. Juman Yassin, who has been in the post since 1996, is 76.
At a special Annual General Meeting last June at its Lilliendaal headquarters to ratify its new constitution as proposed by the IOC, the GOA General Council voted 29-13 in favour of the age limit recommendation, various sources confirmed.
