The National Council of Sports-NCS is protesting a decision by the Ministry of Education and Sports to manage 400 million shillings that was released for the 2012 Olympics. In June 2012, government released the money towards the preparations of Athletes for the ongoing Olympic Games. However, the Ministry of Education channeled the money to its Physical Education and Sports Department instead of passing it to the National Council of Sports (NCS).
As a result, Jasper Aligawesa, the NCS Secretary General , wrote to the permanent secretary ministry of sports protesting the decision saying the 1964 NCS Act mandates the council to manage Olympics preparations. In his June 25th letter, Aligawesa asked the permanent secretary for guidance and counsel on where the Department of Physical Education and Sports derived its mandate to take charge of the Olympic Games.
He also explained that during the budget working group meeting early 2012, the department of Physical Education was well represented but didn’t raise any concern in respect of their submissions. Aligawesa said that they were baffled when they were referred to a memo from the minister of sports dated October 27, 2011, which they were not aware of. He explained that if they had been given an opportunity to make an input they would have been able to advice the minister on technical matters on the role and mandate of the NCS.
Aligawesa explains that this is not the first time, the department of Physical Education and Sports has encroached on their budget allocation, against activities that do not fall under its mandate. Charles Bakkabulindi, the State Minister for Education and Sports has not yet commented on the letter as he is reportedly away in London. Several questions are expected to be asked on how the 400 million shillings was spent on the small team of 16 athletes, especially after majority of the athletes complained of lack of facilitation on training.
Last week, while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports, NCS officials petitioned parliament to intervene in the matter. Charles Egou Egwau, a board member of the NCS accused the Ministry of Education and Sports through the same department of jumping on roles which belong to NCS.
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