Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) set up by some nine clubs to organize cycling in Guyana Linden Dowridge was yesterday tightlipped when asked to comment on the recent pronouncement by the world governing body for the sport, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) that the Horace Burrowes-led executive is the only executive recognized by the UCI.
According to the former national cyclist he will comment on the matter at a later date after consultation with the clubs.
The widely publicized problems within the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has not only grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons but has thrown a wrench into the spokes of the wheelsmen, the most important element of cycling and a swift solution is necessary to get the sport back in top gear.
The sport has been stuck in neutral even before the nine clubs came together to try and get the wheels of the sport up and running.
If President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Kalam Juman-Yassin gets his wish, though this will be the case.
In a letter penned by Juman-Yassin on Tuesday, he urges president of the UCI, Brian Cookson, to “pay a keen interest in what is happening in Guyana and in this regard to perhaps send a representative so that there may be some unity between the clubs and the executive of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).”
In the letter, the GOA head also states that he recognizes Horace Burrowes as the President of the GCF.
“I wish, however to bring to your attention that all is not
well with cycling and the Guyana Cycling Federation and most of its members. As you are aware there are various clubs that constitute the Guyana Cycling Federation and it seemed that the majority of them had passed a motion to attempt
to dissolve the executive and appoint an interim committee,” Yassin wrote.
Rumblings of an establishment of an IMC swirled after a whirlwind of reports of incompetence, lack of transparency and the continued absenteeism of the USA-based Burrowes.
Following an Extraordinary General Meeting at Olympic House last November, nine of the 11 clubs voted on the motion that the current executive of the GCF be dissolved and an IMC installed to effectively conduct the affairs of the discipline.
Juman-Yassin’s letter concluded: “The GOA is ready to assist you in
whatever measure you are willing to take and hope that this may be soon. I await your response.”
Juman-Yassin’s missive comes on the heels of Cookson’s communique to the GOA which states that the Horace Burrowes-led GCF is the only recognised body for the sport in Guyana.
Cockson also pointed out that Guyana is a full-member of the UCI, which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Cockson’s letter was copied to Burrowes and President of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) José Manuel Peláez Rodriguez.
Cookson was responding to a letter from Burrowes to the UCI and Cockson outlining the situation here.
