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| Sports |
| Ocgam ignores Govt directive |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 07 March 2006
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05:29:14
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The Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association of Malawi (Ocgam) has turned its back on Government’s directive to trim the bloated list of officials who are expected to leave for Melbourne, Australia, today (Tuesday) for the Commonwealth Games.
Sports Council executive secretary George Jana said Monday despite government’s recommendation that the number of officials should be cut in order to buy athletes competition kits, Ocgam has not responded to the call.
A total of 21 officials are making the trip in the company of 31 athletes who will compete in six disciplines namely athletics, boxing, netball, squash, table tennis and bowling.
“We recommended that apart from netball, all the other sporting disciplines should only travel with a coach or at least a senior athlete to double as a coach.
“But it seems our advice is not good enough because they have included team managers,” said Jana.
Asked what government will do about the situation, Jana said: “We’ll obviously demand an explanation.”
Jana also said the Council will investigate whether Ocgam general secretary Hellene Mpinganjira will meet the travel expenses of her daughter Beatrice who has gone there as a special guest.
“We’ll look at their books to check if indeed they paid travel expenses for their special guests,” said Jana.
Sports Minister Jaffalie Mussa expressed disappointment on the issue.
“I am very disappointed that instead of sending more athletes or journalists, we have sent so many officials. To make matters worse, some of the officials have taken with them their relatives and children and that is not fair.
Daily Times sports editor Duncan Mlanjira also shared the minister’s view saying the opportunity of having guests on the trip should have been extended to media houses.
However, Ocgam acting president Floriano Mussa defended his body’s action.“All the officials who are making the trip have specific roles to play. Of course, government is co-sponsoring the trip and needs to know what is happening, but we are also an independent body.
“In fact, the organisers are providing accommodation and food for 55 people but we are only taking 47 people,” said Massa.
He also said the 47 people include three VIPs—the sports minister who will attend a Commonwealth sports ministers meeting, Sports Council chair retired Chief Justice Richard Banda and Massa himself. The team leader is Mpinganjira who is already in Melbourne.
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