New joint effort to eliminate non-compliancy in local sporting federations |17 August 2019

From left to right: Mr Larue, Mr Palmyre and Mrs Pierre

From now on, drastic measures will be taken to deal with the issue of non-compliance within the local sporting federations and association, a decision driven by the total non-compliance of the some local sports bodies despite numerous calls for them to regularise their position.

The level of non-compliance indicates that some of the national sport associations and federations do not have regard for the laws of the land, prompting the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Office of Registrar of Associations to work jointly to ensure that there is order in the sport sector as the issue does not affect only the sector in question, but also the country’s record at international level.

In a press conference held yesterday at the NSC boardroom at Stad Linite, registrar general Wendy Pierre, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre and chief executive of the NSC Jean Larue talked about the new measures that will be put in place to ensure that problems are resolved once and for all.

Mrs Pierre explained that regardless of its size, a small sporting federation, or association which is non-compliant can have a huge negative impact on the country’s international record, or rating which could lead to the country being blacklisted.

She added that prior to the 10th Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) many federations rushed forward to regularise their position so that they could take part in the Games, but she further added that there are some who have not made any effort to date.

Mrs Pierre also added that in future, the different federations should appoint members with some good background in various posts on their executive committee to avoid issues which could lead to non-compliancy.

It was explained that the non-compliant organisations should move with speed and meet the required regulations as the NSC will not release funds to them and they will also not be allowed to take part in any sporting activities within and out of the country.

Since corporate governance is the heart beat of any organisation and as such it occupies a very strategic place in the organisational matrix, therefore, to put an end to this way of doing things, the NSC is determined to nip the transgression in the bud by ensuring that all those who are non-compliant are brought to book in line with the Sports Act which governs the council.

The other associations that are partially compliant are being advised to seek help to ensure they are fully compliant.

De-registering all the sporting bodies which are not compliant with the laws is being looked at as the last option, but remains as an alternative in cases where no efforts are being done.

Despite being looked at as a drasticmeasure, it was explained thatit must be borne in mind that the government collects money from the taxpayers and it is only fair that they deploy the scarce resources where there is order as they will also be asked to account for these resources.

The NSC will tighten the screws especially on those federations who come to seek for assistance when they are not in the good books with the council, especially in areas of serious concerns regarding the sub elements of accountability, transparency, social responsibility, independence, fairness and discipline.

Being a new measure, Mr Larue said they will start by targeting executive committee members, instead of targeting athletes directly.

He explained that those members will not be allowed to travel with athletes to any major Games, unless they become compliant.

He, however, noted that for the IOIG and the upcoming African Games, an agreement had been reached for athletes from non-compliant federations to take part, but such practice will cease in the future as both athletes and executive committee members are equal in running their sports bodies.

He further explained that all federations have their internal rules and they are all responsible to read and learn their constitutions before electing an executive committee to serve them.

It was also explained that it is against the law to temper, or go against a legal and approved constitution.

R. D.