Delhi cash splits Olympics committee
Nov 10, 2010
OVER sh40m meant for the Commonwealth Games is unaccounted for and is threatening to tear members apart, ahead of Friday’s review meeting by the Uganda Olympic Committee executive.
By Norman Katende
OVER sh40m meant for the Commonwealth Games is unaccounted for and is threatening to tear members apart, ahead of Friday’s review meeting by the Uganda Olympic Committee executive.
The committee got funds through different partners including the games organisers and the Indian Community. And even though some of these came in kind and were properly accounted for, the direct funds have left the committee disjointed.
The executive is already divided on how much money was received and how much was spent.
They expect a full financial report to be part the Commonwealth Games report to be delivered by chef de mission William Tumwine.
It is reported that though sh6m was declared for facilitating the athletes’ training, an extra sh5m and $4,000 (sh9m) was handed over for the same.
The money was to be given to the federations as transport and allowances for the athletes as they prepared for the Games. Each athlete was meant to get sh20,000 per day for 14 days, but some federations denied ever receiving it, while others only got some of it.
“We are only hearing rumors but we are going to get a full report and that is when we can make a statement. We do not want to accuse people falsely,†explained the committee’s president Rogers Ddungu.
The meeting will also want to know the whereabouts of over $15,000 (sh32m), the balance on air tickets.
The organisers in New Delhi had sent $75,000 for air tickets at a cost of $1,150. But the Indian community bargained for a reduction to $832, with about 50 tickets of the 61 bought at that value.
Among other issues likely to raise debate is the denying athlete Abraham Kiplimo entry in the village, having flown all the way to partner Moses Kipsiro, and the accreditation process.
“It is a general meeting and we will be getting a report about the accreditation. After, we shall have a press conference to brief the public.â€
State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has promised a thorough investigation into reports that some officials imported non eligible individuals into the Games Village in New Delhi.
It is alleged that some used government air tickets for their girlfriends to the Games, leaving athletes behind.
OVER sh40m meant for the Commonwealth Games is unaccounted for and is threatening to tear members apart, ahead of Friday’s review meeting by the Uganda Olympic Committee executive.
The committee got funds through different partners including the games organisers and the Indian Community. And even though some of these came in kind and were properly accounted for, the direct funds have left the committee disjointed.
The executive is already divided on how much money was received and how much was spent.
They expect a full financial report to be part the Commonwealth Games report to be delivered by chef de mission William Tumwine.
It is reported that though sh6m was declared for facilitating the athletes’ training, an extra sh5m and $4,000 (sh9m) was handed over for the same.
The money was to be given to the federations as transport and allowances for the athletes as they prepared for the Games. Each athlete was meant to get sh20,000 per day for 14 days, but some federations denied ever receiving it, while others only got some of it.
“We are only hearing rumors but we are going to get a full report and that is when we can make a statement. We do not want to accuse people falsely,†explained the committee’s president Rogers Ddungu.
The meeting will also want to know the whereabouts of over $15,000 (sh32m), the balance on air tickets.
The organisers in New Delhi had sent $75,000 for air tickets at a cost of $1,150. But the Indian community bargained for a reduction to $832, with about 50 tickets of the 61 bought at that value.
Among other issues likely to raise debate is the denying athlete Abraham Kiplimo entry in the village, having flown all the way to partner Moses Kipsiro, and the accreditation process.
“It is a general meeting and we will be getting a report about the accreditation. After, we shall have a press conference to brief the public.â€
State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has promised a thorough investigation into reports that some officials imported non eligible individuals into the Games Village in New Delhi.
It is alleged that some used government air tickets for their girlfriends to the Games, leaving athletes behind.