Corruption at Sport Ministry
Director of Sport, Chief Bai Kabia, and the Desk Officer of Sport Council are reportedly at each others throats owing to allegation that the former has rejected a report submitted by the latter with reference to application submitted by respective ‘Taekwondo’ associations for national recognition.
Facts have it that two ‘Taekwondo’ associations submitted applications to the Ministry of Sport requesting national recognition.
The Andrea Hope led executive and Oness A. Johnson executive applied to the Sport Council national recognition.
All two associations however were investigated by the desk officer of Sport Council, Victor M.G Hasting-Spaine, who later came up with a report recommending that the Oness A. Johnson executive fulfilled the required criteria for the formation of a Taekwondo National Sport Association and must be granted recognition.
The report also brings to light that the Andrea Hope led executive is barely a shadow that exist in oblivion. That by all indications, Mr. Andrea Hope has withdrawn from the position of President in the association he claimed to own and that his alleged Secretary General (James Junior Heals) is a deceased.
Findings by this press indicated that Victor Hasting- Spaine, who doubles as the Deputy Director Western Area, was tasked by his boss Chief Bai Kabia to investigate the argument surrounding the forenamed Taekwondo associations in relation to applications submitted to the Ministry of Sport with regard the granting of national recognition.
Despite the fact that the investigation made it clear that the Oness Johnson led executive must be granted recognition as a national Taekwondo sporting body, Director Bai Kabia dejectedly did not heed to the recommendation thus depriving Sierra Leone from participating in national and international Taekwondo arts.
Sources say that the issue of grant of recognition to either of the two organizations that applied to the Ministry of Sport has taken three years now.
It has reached this press that executives of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) are aware of the fact that the ‘Oness Johnson’ led executive met the criteria of becoming a national Taekwondo body, but refused to say it out because they do not want to offend the Director of Sport.
In an interview with Director Kabia, he confessed receiving a report regarding two conflicting Taekwondo associations, but said he has asked for a meeting with both parties.
“Yes, I received the report, but I cannot take any action now. I have asked for a meeting with the parties concerned but to no avail,” Director Kabia said.
Facts gathered revealed that Victor Hasting- Spaine discarded the request of Director Kabia to have a meeting with the ‘Andrea Hope’ and ‘Oness Johson’ executives because he sees it as completely unprofessional.
That findings in the report are sufficient to have the Director grant legitimacy to the most qualified Taekwondo association.
The President of the Sierra Leone National Olympic Committee, Henry Moore, was contacted but declined making any comment through telephone.
Reports have it glare that Sierra Leone, for years, has not participated in national and international Taekwondo competitions because the Director of Sport has refused to nationally grant recognition to a legally structured association.
Full details next edition.
By Ibrahim Samura
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