Guyana: The 2012 Olympics have come and gone, but the co
ntroversy surrounding the continued participation of local athletes continues to brew.
Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony says that while it is an option that must continue to be explored at the national level, the administration has no say in the matter.
He says that the Administration is not even informed of criteria used for athletes’ participation.
“The team carries the name Guyana,” said Dr Anthony but lamented that “the Ministry that is responsible for sports in the country has zero say.”
The Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) is responsible for this and he also challenged the entity to give account for the millions it would receive from overseas bodies.
The GOA is headed by Juman Yassin and according to Dr Anthony the “Olympic association likes to make the distinction because they are associated to the IOC.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) would only recognize local bodies affiliated to it, to send athletes to the premier sporting event held every five years.
“People need to own up to their responsibility,” said Dr Anthony as he lamented the selection process used for Guyanese athletes at the Olympic Games and account for its revenue.
“The (Guyana) Olympic Association gets International funding from the Olympic Solidarity Fund…We don’t know what monies come, we don’t know what it goes to.”
Dr Singh asks “what about these organizations that represent the National Interest…They get money we don’t know where it goes.”
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