One fed per sport: OC

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) yesterday encouraged all of its members to abide by the universal basic principles of good governance and their own constitutions and the statutes of their governing bodies.
PNGOC president Sir John Dawanincura maintained that they did not have a general supervisory role over the internal affairs of a member federation and had no jurisdiction to become involved in a member’s internal factions or management disputes.
“In accordance with our constitution, PNGOC can only take action against national federations that fail to comply with our constitutional requirements for membership,” a PNGOC statement said.
“Only when PNGOC receives a formal complaint of its member national federation, clarification is sought from the member federation.
“We maintain a neutral ground and seek the views of  the relevant international federation where required.”
With regards to the current PNG Football Association and Football Federation PNG matter, Sir John said the matter would need to be referred to the proper channel for deliberation.
“If it is a matter that PNGOC feels should be resolved through the PNG Sports Dispute Tribunal (PNGSDT),” he said.  He said the PNGOC advocated for disputes within the sporting fraternity to be resolved through meditation or referred to the SDT.
“The SDT is the recognised body formed to hear and determine appeals and sports-related disputes,” Sir John said.
“It is aligned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is the international body established to arbitrate sports disputes.
“To date, PNGOC has not received any formal complaint with substantive information from grieving parties of PNGFA.
“The same applies to the PNG Rugby Football Union except our office has received a copy of the Sports Minister’s letter to World Rugby.”
Sir John said the PNGOC only recognised one national federation per sport that was recognised by its international federation.
“Members of national federations must work within the provisions of their constitution and the statues of their international federation to appeal or resolve their disputes,” he said.
“If they feel they are unfairly dealt with, these matters, with substantive evidence, should be brought to the attention of their international federation and PNGOC.
“It can also be referred to the SDT.”