Dear Editor,
Please permit me the opportunity in your publication to respond to Mr. Aubrey Hutson, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana [AAG], who in the August 16, 2022 edition of Sports Watch with Sean Devers, declared that the AAG is “actively looking at dealing with the Treasurer who would have signed that letter. The letter is a manifestation of people not doing what they ought to do in the Association and looking to cast blame at people who are working in the organization.”
The letter to which he is referring, is one which was written and signed by the forcibly removed General Secretary of the AAG as well as myself, the Treasurer. That letter detailed breaches of the Association’s Constitution, instances of financial irregularities, lack of transparency and accountability for funds received and spent by the AAG as well as the inability of the Association to host its Annual General Meeting as required by the regulations governing the sport. It was dispatched to the World Athletics Association and copied to the Minister of Sport and the Guyana Olympic Association. In an apparent retaliation, the leadership of the AAG immediately called a meeting, blindsided the Secretary and voted him out of the Council. It must be noted that nowhere in the Constitution of the Association does it state that this can be done. However, in his interview with Mr. Sean Devers, he made it clear that I am the next victim. I wish to place on public record that even though I am the Treasurer to the AAG, I do not have access to the Association’s accounts, nor do I handle or have knowledge of its financial transactions. Mr. Hutson has not submitted any financial information or updates to the Executive Council for monies received from the World Athletics Association or from sponsors. The AAG’s Constitution requires the submission of Statements of Income and Expenditure and yet he has repeatedly failed to provide these to the Council. It is widely known that the President incurs expenses without the approval of Council and reimburses himself on a continuous basis, again without the approval of the Council.
He has refused to allow an internal audit of the finances of the AAG. He has also refused to include the Treasurer as a signatory to accounts belonging to the AAG. To circumvent oversight, he has established Local Organising Committees to plan and run activities so that financial reports and any other documentation does not have to be submitted to the Council. These are all actions that are outside of his ambit and in blatant breach to the Constitution of the AAG.
The setup of the Finance Committee was put forward, comprising upstanding citizens of this country. To date, this Committee has not been endorsed and it is clear why this is so. By requirements of the Constitution, the Finance Committee oversees all finances and sponsorships of the AAG. It must be noted that more than a year later, neither the Treasurer nor the Council are aware of how many accounts the AAG holds, what are the incoming transactions or the current balances of each.
Simply put, there is no accountability or transparency at this organization. Selfish interests are being pursued instead of the development of the sport and the creation of opportunities for the young people. Mr. Hutson is quite aware why he wishes to replace those on the Council who dare to go against him. His statement must be taken in this context.
Dwayne Carter,
Treasurer,
Athletics Association of Guyana
