Maitaki claims suspension was result of infighting
THE Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation president and vice president of NOCSI who was reportedly suspended for allegedly misappropriating funds says the move was purely to tarnish his name.
“This is again another attempt by some NOCSI board members to tarnish my reputation publicly but it is clear that NOCSI action has the potential to back fire on them,” Morris Maitaki said as he rubbishes the allegation.
He said he was informed on June 3 of the decision made by some members of the NOCSI.
“But that did not come as a surprise because it was purely part of our ongoing infighting within the NOCSI Executive Board since day one of our term in office.
“I welcome the investigation and I do hope that NOCSI concludes the investigation as quickly as I have some engagement on the upcoming international Events in August.”
Mr Maitaki said he already officially lodged his complaint to the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) based in Fiji in response to the unfair decision enforced by NOCSI “without giving me natural justice”.
“The ONOC acknowledge receipt of my complaint letter on Monday June 9 2014 with assurance to intervene soon.
“This is an unfortunate case that I totally condemn and dismissed.
“This does not reflect who I am and it is an unfortunate incident that I am first ever accused of since I was being a loyal, committed and volunteer over the past twenty (20) years to sport locally and internationally.”
He said the NOCSI constitution spells out very clear in article 15, section 5.
“A decision to pronounce either a warning, suspension or a termination by the Executive Board, a member should be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard, but that was not in my case for that instance.
“Though I respect the decision by the NOCSI executive, I feel that the decision was unfair, un-procedural and misleading because they did not give me the opportunity to verify and substantiate the discrepancies.
He said the action of the acting president was merely to tarnish him but added that it will only tarnish NOCSI.
“I think, the greatest mistake this has on NOCSI as a whole is that ONOC and the Government will further distance themselves from NOCSI – something that acting president should address professionally and internally.
“In article 15 of the NOCSI constitution, section 5, it’s stated that “when an Executive Board member failed to fulfill his/er duties and tasks or has infringed the Olympic Charter and /or this constitution or has not respected or implemented the decisions or resolutions of the organs or the NOCSI, he/she is subject to the following graduated measures and sanctions (depending on the gravity of the facts and the level of damage or infringement): Warning, Suspension and or Expulsion.
“Hence, NOCSI firstly suspended me without establishing the facts and evidences then following the gradual measures stated in article 15.”
Mr Maitaki said the involvement of some Executive members who decided on his case is now being questioned “because of our ongoing personal and internal problem as evident in many exchanges. So you can almost see that allegation of being biased”.
“At the moment, I will not be pursuing a further legal review or case against NOCSI until both parties conclude my case otherwise.
“I hold the view that not until I am given “natural justice”, or convicted of felony according to article 15. Section 8) of NOCSI constitution, I’m still the NOCSI Vice President and President of the Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation ( NOCSI can suspend volleyball Federation but not the President unless NOCSI found President guilty of misused of funds).”
