The Bay Gardens Inn was a hive of sporting activity last weekend when the St. Lucia Olympic Committee in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity staged a two day Good Governance Symposium for its members.
The symposium dealt with a number of issues affecting national sports associations on the island. Addressing the gathering was Minister for Youth Development and Sports Shawn Edward, who called on members to be empowered to challenge the leadership to ensure that their organizations are run in the best interest of members and the fraternity they serve.
Edward said, “Over the last two years the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports has implemented an island wide re – registration programme and at the heart of this exercise is a deliberate emphasis on good governance”
He continued, “Good governance is a pre – requisite for the effective administration of any organization. Additionally, good governance enforces adherence to rules and procedures, accountability, transparency and indeed democracy”
He was aware that there were many competent citizens who were willing to and can make very substantial contributions to sports organizations in St. Lucia, but refrained from doing so due to the apparent disregard for good governance practices in many such organizations.
The Minister said, “Many organizations exist with a written constitution and in some cases where constitutions exist, they are flagrantly violated during the conduct of association’s affairs. Some have not had a review of their constitution in decades. Many organizations no longer present reports at Annual General Meetings and sadly members accept this”.
