Sports Ministry must respect autonomy of associations/federations

Charles Ramson Jnr

Following a press release issued by the Ministry of Sport last year, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has written Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr., on the issue.

 The release issued by the Ministry of Sport had warned sports associations/federations about penalizing athletes who participated in unsanctioned activities.

In his letter to Minister Ramson Jnr., the GOA president sought to remind him of the fact that sports associations/federations are autonomous bodies and that they should be free from government interference. He also sought to enlighten Minister Ramson Jnr., of the dangers of athletes participating in tournaments not sanctioned and also gave him some insight as to the role of the GOA and its relationships with the national associations/federations; the  roles of sports associations/federations and  their relationships with their international federations and the best way to resolving issues that might arise from time to time.