By Carlena Knight
“It’s not the best position,” said former sports administrator Patrick “Pat White” White when asked about his opinion on ministers of government serving on the National Olympic Committee.
To date, two ministers have served on the NOC executive, former sports minister and now Minister of Trade Chet Greene as President and Daryll Matthew, the present minister of sports.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s the best position. Maybe things have changed in the Olympic charter and things are allowed from when I was close to the situation, but I personally don’t think it’s the best position to be in because there should always be an apex,” White said.
He is of the opinion that the question of impartiality on the minister’s part will always be questioned due to their dual roles. This, he said, is the biggest factor as to why he is not in favour of the double posts.
“The way I see it is if you have a problem with your club, you can appeal to your association. If you have a problem with the association you can appeal to the Olympic Committee [and] if you have a problem with the NOC you can appeal to the Ministry of Sports or government. In any of those positions and you have the same persons, then how does he/she divide or make decisions and satisfy anybody that there is impartiality, regardless of how straight his face may be? People are always going to get the impression that your decision would favour A or B and I think even for the persons own existence and just so people can be comfortable in knowing what the situation is that you recuse yourself from taking certain positions or whatever when certain matters arise.
“I personally do not think it is the best position to be in,” said White, while he was a guest on the Good Morning JoJo Sports show.