The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JUST six months after their election of officers was held, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has found itself in turmoil.

At a monthly meeting in the conference room of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on Wednesday night, the general body staged a “vote of no confidence” in first vice president Iram Lewis, secretary general Carl Oliver and Harrison Petty, a representative on the executive board in his capacity as president of the Bahamas Parents Association of Track and Field Athletes.

The meeting was chaired by council member Dr Cyprian Strachan. A total of 38 persons were in attendance, including president Mike Sands. But conspicuously missing were Lewis, Oliver and Petty, who were all not in place to answer any of the questions that the general body had intended to ask.

When contacted, Sands said he could only verify that the duly publicised and constituted meeting that was called from last week took place and the members voiced their concerns and during the discussions, they put motions to the floor and they were acted upon, referring to the “vote of no confidence.”

“This unfortunate turn of events is no time for gloating or celebrations but rather for all of us as members and stakeholders to refocus our efforts in rebuilding the organisation for the betterment of our beloved sport and by extension the athletes whom we were elected to serve,” Sands said.

“Appointments to fill the vacancies will be made in the shortest time following consultation with the executives and council.”

Sands, however, opted not to go into any further details, only to say that an official press release will be made in due time regarding the outcome of the meeting. Dr Strachan was not available for comments.

In a circulation to members of the BAAA, Oliver said the meeting called on Wednesday night was “unconstitutional” and the conclusion arrived was “baseless and without merit. Further, members were also deceived in believing that a meeting was being called to discuss issues to advance critical matters in the BAAA.

“However, it appears that from the outset, it was to dismiss certain members of the BAAA executive board. You would be mindful that on November 17, 2012, the members spoke and a change in the administration of the BAAA unfolded. Any adjustment to what you cemented in November can only be overturned if we return to you in accordance with the constitution.”

Oliver said he remains as the secretary general, as is Lewis as first vice president and Petty as presisent of the Parents Association. Oliver advised the membership that he will keep them posted on further developments in the BAAA.

According to reports emanating from the meeting, there were some concerns in the manner in which Lewis was given the nomination from the BAAA for the recent elections in the Bahamas Olympic Committee over Sands, who was one of the incumbent vice presidents.

During the BOC’s elections held on Friday, April 12 at the Police headquarters, Lewis got 10 of the 13 votes casted by the affiliated federations and associations members to be one of the six persons elected as a vice president. Sands only garnered three and was not re-elected.

There was also some concerns about information that was presented to the BOC that was not authorised by the BAAA general body.

Although the meeting was called, it is understood that Oliver never informed the members as he is duly constituted to do so as the general secretary. Additionally, Oliver, nor Lewis or Petty attended the meeting and, as a result, a voting took place and they were all voted out of office.

One member said out of the 28 members that voted, Lewis got just four votes, Oliver two and Petty none to remain in office.

Initially, the agenda for the meeting was to discuss various aspects of the BAAA and the manner in which they have been functioning since the elections were held on Saturday, November 17.

But, according to reports, the membership decided to stage the “vote of no confidence” in the three men after neither showed up to answer any questions.

Apparently, the BAAA executives have been in turmoil ever since the elections and it only escalated leading into the BOC’s elections.