PBC fumes at GBA election procedure(Gomantak Times dt. 26 April 08) Re-elected Vaz denies of irregularities
PANJIM: The state badminton association (GBA) is in the news again, but for a different reason. This time it is the election procedure that has the Panjim Badminton Club (PBC) fuming. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister, Digamber Kamat, the PBC has urged him to declare the elections to GBA executive committee held on April 24 as null and void. "The entire process of elections was done in a very fraudulent, deceptive and illegitimate manner and in utter violation of government guidelines for recognitions and much against the provisions of their own Constitution", the PBC letter states. The PBC has urged the Chief Minister to intervene and call for fresh elections and "to appoint a sincere, efficient observer who shall oversee and ensure that the entire election process is held in a fair and transparent manner." At the elections held at Rich Builders premises, Santa Cruz, Richard Vaz was elected the president again while Narahar Thakur continues as the general secretary and Gaurish Dhond has been inducted as the treasurer. Navin Acharya, Asst Secretary (Programme) of Sports Authority of Goa was the observer for the elections. The PBC also claims that Vaz was re-elected for another term "despite the constitution and guidelines for recognition clearly stipulating that no office-bearers shall hold office consecutively for more than two terms." PBC also maintains that no notices were served to the various clubs affiliated to the Goa Badminton Association. "Our club representative too received a telephonic communication a few days back pertaining to the schedule of a meeting whose agenda was to discuss the future state of affairs to be pursued but was shocked when this turned out to be an election meeting." The PBC has also pointed out that the financial report was not presented at the meeting and cited the lapse as an act of `blatant irregularity." When contacted Vaz denied of any illegalities in the election procedure and instead said that representatives of all 11 clubs were present for voting. "We sent intimation letters to all the 11 affiliated clubs and obtained signatures for receipt of the letters," Vaz told GT. Shashank Naik, president of PBC and Evening Badminton Group, however, contested Vaz's explanation saying he did not receive any intimation letter. "I was asked to sign on the book as well as on a blank paper when I went there." Vaz also denied that GBA constitution prevents any person from being an office-bearer for more than two terms. "We go by the constitution of the national federation (BAI), which does not restrict any person from holding any office for as long as he deserves," Vaz informed. "If somebody wants my chair they can have it. It does not give me anything. On the contrary I have spent my own money", Vaz, who has served the game for 22 years, hit out at his detractors. "Somebody wants to play dirty. They can do it provided they are right." Vaz, however, admitted that the financial report was not presented as the books were with the auditors. "All the money due to us has not come in." He also blamed the delay in the auditing process to treasurer, Umesh Lotlikar, who he said did not help in maintaining a day-to-day account. "The delay is also affecting us in claiming grants from the government (SAG). By June we should have everything ready."
