President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Cheryl Thompson has been issued a strong letter of reprimand along with three months suspension by the federation’s Disciplinary Committee for displaying disregard and disrespect for the federation.
She however told Stabroek Sport yesterday that she was innocent of the things she has been accused of.
The letter from the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and First Vice-President of the GCF, Desmond Burch-Smith was dated October 19 and stated that Thompson’s suspension should have commenced the same day, one day before she would have received it.
Reports say that Thompson was sanctioned by the federation because she had not attended meetings and had issued racing licences to riders without consultation with the federation, in addition to making decisions without the input of other federation members.
“It is with regret that I have to inform you that at a Council meeting held on Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Guyana Olympic Association Headquarters to which you received a written invitation, it was decided that you be issued with a strong letter of reprimand along with a three (3) month suspension. The suspension will commence Wednesday, October 19, 2011,” the letter seen by Stabroek Sport stated in its opening paragraph.
The letter stated that Thompson showed disregard for the GCF since she did not attend the meeting and did not notify the federation that she would be absent. The letter also stated that Thompson had abused her power and made decisions on her own regarding the ‘Ride For Life’ Five Stage road race and the selection of a cycling team for the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG).
In a comment, Thompson told Stabroek Sport that she has done nothing wrong and will be taking the requisite actions in order to clear the air. Thompson stated that she was forced to make decisions on her own because certain persons in the federation have failed to pull their weight and are not carrying out their respective duties in a competent manner.
Thompson further added that as far as she is concerned, she is still the president of the GCF and will continue to act in that capacity until the proper documents are issued and a thorough investigation is completed. The GCF president charged that she was sanctioned because the way she runs the federation is not to the liking of some members but she insists she has to do what is right for the progress of cycling in Guyana regardless of what they think.
Thompson further stated that she has been a part of sports committees for the better part of 25 years – namely athletics, power lifting and body building and has never been sanctioned or disciplined before.
Thompson indicated that she would have called a special meeting yesterday at the Guyana Olympic Association Headquarters.
