A “council decision” will be made Friday by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) rather than a personal one addressing allegations written by the AAG’s General Secretary and Treasurer to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) against the body’s head, Aubrey Hutson.
This is according Hutson himself who stated yesterday that a meeting was scheduled to be held last Friday “to deal with the matter” but was unable to be convened due to a lack of a quorum of seven members.
“We only had six (members) but we will reconvene this Friday and whoever appears will form the quorum,” said Hutson.
The allegations against Hutson were made in another section of the media on July 1 under the headline `General Secretary, Treasurer cite corrupt practices by AAG President’
The article alleged that under Hutson’s leadership, there has been a lack of financial accountability, governance and transparency at the AAG.
Hutson was first elected AAG head in 2013.
Some of the allegations include micromanaging the AAG, borrowing monies from his business to pay forward or underwrite expenses of the AAG and repaying himself without the knowledge and/or approval of the Executive Council. Failing to inform members of the council about the association’s account balance, non-accountability of financial transactions undertaken and bias in the selection of athletes and coaches to represent Guyana.
Additionally the exclusion of council members from the decision-making processes and other wayward acts that goes against the body’s constitution were also alleged.
Hutson said the letter written by the duo to the GOA, which was copied to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, President of the South American Confederation, Helio Marinho Gesta de Melo and President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, “goes against the ethics of Track and Field’s governing body, World Athletics and by extension, the AAG.”
Hutson who is in his third consecutive term told this publication that following the Friday’s meeting, the AAG’s council will state its position on the issues that are vented in the letter and a decision on the consequences of the letter.
“I prefer council’s opinion to be made public than my personal opinion,” he declared.
The AAG’s council comprises Hutson and his executive, two vice presidents, Amanda Hermonstine and Paul Arthur, General Secretary, Elton Bollers, Treasurer, Dwayne Carter and five committee members, Keith Campbell, Linden Phillips, Niall Stanton, Telson Williams and Tyron Smith.
The allegations come on the heels of Hutson, 58, stating last Sunday that he is thinking of quitting the top post due to a lack of support.
