Several prominent track and field clubs in Guyana have issued a joint statement denouncing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), held on March 16, 2025. The clubs- namely Mercury Fast-Laners Athletics Club, Running Brave Track and Field Club, Tytan United Track Club, De Challengers Athletics Club, Christianburg Wismar Secondary School Track Club and Ruralites Athletics Club- have called the meeting unconstitutional, citing procedural violations that have rendered all decisions made, including the election of a new Executive Council, null and void.
The clubs argue that the AGM was held in direct violation of the AAG Constitution, pointing to a number of critical failures. Key among these is the failure to hold the AGM within the prescribed time frame, as set by the AAG Constitution’s Article 8, which mandates that the AGM must occur no later than January 31.
According to the statement the Executive Council’s term expired on January 31, creating a governance vacuum, but General Secretary James Cole unilaterally postponed the meeting to March 16 without the required approval from the General Membership or an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
In addition, the clubs contend that the notice for the AGM was issued late, violating Article 8 of the Constitution, which mandates that notices be sent 28 days in advance. Furthermore, the Treasurer’s Report, Audited Financial Statement, and Sub-Committee Reports were not made available to members seven days before the meeting as required under Article 13.
The nomination process for elections also violated Article 14, with nomination forms sent late and insufficient time given for clubs to submit candidates, the release said.
When the AGM began on March 16, the clubs’ representatives took immediate action. Mr. Linden Phillips of De Challengers Athletics Club raised a Point of Order before the agenda was adopted, proposing a procedural motion to declare the AGM unconstitutional due to the numerous violations. The motion was seconded by Mr. Julian Edmonds from Running Brave Track and Field Club.
However, the response from the General Secretary and his supporters was one of hostility and disorder. The meeting descended into chaos, with loud verbal confrontations, table-banging, and the arrival of Attorney-at-Law Emerly Dodson, who appeared to act as the Returning Officer.
Further, the signatories of the statement said Ms. Dodson’s actions further fueled the breakdown in order, and tensions rose when police officers were seen both inside and outside the venue, which the clubs described as an attempt to intimidate attendees and suppress legitimate democratic processes.
Amid the turmoil, the Chairperson was forced to abandon the meeting, and the clubs walked out, leaving behind what they described as a “sham” of a meeting. Consequently, the clubs have declared all decisions made after the Chairperson’s departure, including the appointment of the new Executive Council, to be invalid.
The clubs are now calling for an EGM to resolve the situation, stating that the AAG must address the governance vacuum and determine the validity of any purported elections held after the meeting’s collapse. They also called for a transparent and constitutional election process for the AAG’s leadership and for accountability for those responsible for the meeting’s unconstitutional conduct.
“If necessary, we will escalate this matter to Atletismo Sudamericano and World Athletics to ensure adherence to the AAG Constitution and international governance standards,” the clubs added in their statement.
In conclusion, the clubs said they stand firm in their rejection of the AGM and all decisions taken therein, reiterating their commitment to ensuring constitutional integrity, transparency, and accountability within the AAG.
