A former national volleyball player and coach has raised concern about the integrity of Solomon Islands volleyball federation (SIVF) in light of a volleyball coaching program that the federation has facilitated.
“I questioned why the Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation facilitates a volleyball coaching program when its president is still under investigation for allegations relating to misuse of funds?” Jack Donga questioned.
“The allegation against the president of the SIVF is a serious one and the federation should not facilitate any training programs until such time an outcome is made to the investigation against the president,” Donga emphasized.
“Relevant bodies within and outside of the country should be wary of the federation as its boss is still under the microscope of an investigation team sanctioned by the National Olympic Council of Solomon Islands (NOCSI),” Donga cautioned.
Donga also stated that the financier of the current coaching program should be cautious in the first place when dealing with the federation as the allegation against the president is one that is of criminal nature.
Donga also raised concern about the criteria for selecting the participants of the coaching course.
“I’m somewhat surprised that most of the participants of the program are Honiara based and most of them are from one particular region,” the former national coach emphasized.
“We have other active clubs in other parts of Honiara and in the provinces, but unfortunately the coaching course eluded them and it makes me wonder why,” Donga stated.
Donga further urges investigators on the case against SIVF’s president to speed up their work and reveal the outcome as soon as possible.
“The outcome of the investigation is important to remove the dent against the federation and its work,” the former national volleyball coach reiterated.
Its understood that the investigation against the president of SIVF is still continuing.
Mr Donga has a colorful history in the sport; he was once a national player, after retiring from the game he involved a lot in coaching both Honiara based clubs and national teams.
In response the president has this to say yesterday; “I do not think is appropriate for a former player and coach to publish such statement since he does not know what is going on with me and NOCSI.
“The investigation is currently carry-out by NOCSI which we are all anticipating for its outcome. As I had said in my earlier respond to NOCSI, this is merely an internal petty politics within NOCSI executive that has already back fired to NOCSI from ONOC and IOC and not very long the Solomon Island Government will also intervene.
“Jack Donga must also understand that we have the same concern as we wants to see volleyball is growing. This allegation was brought up to my attention back in May 15th 2014 and I’m also wandering way its take that long to conclude.
“I made the call to fast its investigation knowing that they are targeting to interrupt my international engagement which they did to Fuji and I will be the next using this useless allegation.
“I remember when the allegation raised in the NOCSI ex board; I did not even know what does it all about and what mean ‘miss-appropriate’ of funds over the years as claimed by the Acting President of NOCSI.
“Actually the allegation was verbally said that it’s related to a particular course and festival tournament conducted by volleyball in Renbel back in 2012.
“Jack, I am unhappy that you gone on to add your own words by saying that I misused funds. Please use the appropriate words that were not the allegation.
“The allegation to my knowledge was merely misappropriated of a grassroots solidarity training course related to a particular payment to a supplier that under questioned. It’s not that I misused funds as you perceived neither I hold accountable for that payment.
“Though I respect your concern; I think it’s too early for you to make such public statements whilst NOCSI is yet to conclude what they levelled against me.
“Furthermore, this is not an easy case as you may aware; it’s now in the hands of IOC which ONOC is no longer help NOCSI.
“As I have highlighted previously, the Olympic Charter, the Constitution of NOCSI and the basic principles of good governance must guide all the action of NOCSI and must be respected by everybody, as clearly mentioned in the letter sent by Mr. Blas on the 11 June in close consultation and coordination with the IOC.
“In this gesture I ask others that may concern on this issue to refrain from making further statement because this is quite a confused situation prevailing within our National Olympic Committee (NOCSI).”
