NOC to mediate athletics association’s election saga

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) will play the role of mediator during a meeting between the Antigua & Barbuda Athletics Association (ABAA) and a number of its members tonight, in an effort to avoid a potential court battle between the two parties.
This was revealed by sources close to the NOC who said the meeting was commissioned by the NOC President, EP Chet Greene, after a document, signed by at least five clubs and 10 individual members, labelled the recently held ABAA elections invalid and called for the resignation of the head, Everton Cornelius, while demanding fresh elections.
The meeting, sources said, is geared towards bringing a peaceful end to the ongoing battle.
A number of clubs have argued they had been disenfranchised during the association’s AGM held February 16, and alleged that they were not allowed to vote during the now controversial meeting.
In a legal opinion commissioned by the aggrieved cubs and individual members, attorney-at-law Vere C Bird III, cited the association’s failure to call quadrennial meetings within the stipulated period of four years from the last meeting.
He also highlighted the “failure of the ABAA to serve a proper notice of the meeting on February 16, 2017, pursuant to its constitution”.
Hurricane Power Sports Club, Roots Sports Club, Panthers Elite International, Team Force, Barbuda Falcons, and the Antigua Pioneers Sports Club all signed the document that was submitted to the NOC.
The meeting is expected to start at 8 pm at the NOC’s head office on Redcliffe Street.