Sports

IAAF official here to clean up Athletics Fiji mess

June 2, 2014 6:58 pm

If there’s any time Athletics Fiji’s administrative issues will be solved, it begins today upon the unexpected arrival of IAAF Senior Manager of Development & Member Relations, Jee Isram.

FBC Sports understands athletics international parent body has called for an Elective General Meeting of Athletics Fiji to be held in Suva on Saturday.

IAAF General Secretary Essar Gabriel has advised that Isram will act as an observer at the Elective General Meeting and today, he will discuss the matter with Western Athletics club members.

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In March Athletics Fiji conducted an Annual General Meeting after the IAAF under appointed mediator Dr Robin Mitchell allowed a legal AGM to be held in Nadi to uphold the recognized 2008 Athletics Fiji Constitution.

At that point if the AGM was not held, Athletics Fiji could have been suspended.

Pacific Games Council President Vidya Lakhan chaired the meeting which saw a 2014 Athletics Fiji executive committee elected with Dr Ayoade Alakija its president.

Moving forward, Mitchell was to send a report of the AGM minutes and his findings over two months to the IAAF however, it is understood, the report was never sent and eventually Mitchell was relieved of his mediation duties.

On May 14 an IAAF letter from Gabriel stated that Albert Miller would fulfill his term as Athetics Fiji President until June 6 that the parent body recognized the 2008 constitution and another AGM was to be held.

It also advised Miller to drop any bans over AF executives and police reports that were filed against them.

Confirmation is still yet to be received on whether these cases have been dropped.

Prior to Saturday’s meeting, Isram will hold meetings with all the stakeholders of the Athletics Fiji family as well as any representative of sporting authorities that he may deem relevant.

Club members wishing to attend the EGM are to present a copy of the receipt for the payment of their club’s membership fees which means everyone will be allowed to attend the EGM.

A lot of questions to be answered following six months of administrative disputes – with the IAAF now on our shores to figure things out, it only raises further questions as to whether a resolution will be reached or suspension looms.