MARGAO
Call it the after-effect of the ‘fake bills’ scam or a fall out of the internal disputes of Goan Cycling Association (GCA) spilling into public domain or by any other name. One thing is sure, a few skeletons are tumbling out of GCA cupboards with regards to mismanagement of funds sanctioned by the state government for the National Games 2023 and substandard sports material procured for the event.
Fathom this. Did you know that some of the cycling equipment costing over 34 lakhs ordered by GCA for the 2023 National Games for the Goan cyclists was never used for the multi-discipline event hosted by Goa in the month of October- November as it was substandard claims one of the office bearers of GCA.
Placid Fernandes, Joint Secretary of CAG, has in a letter addressed to NG Akhargekar, General Secretary of GCA has alleged that the cycling equipment ordered by CAG for the National Games 2023 was substandard and never used by the Goan cyclists.
Incidentally, Placid is also in the centre of a controversy of his own along with two other office bearers President Nitish Kerkar and treasurer Viplav Bhakta regarding the over 14 lakhs fake bills submitted by GCA to Sports Authority of Goa which The Goan had reported in its July 26 edition and the issue was also raised in the State assembly by Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, a few days later on.
A complaint has also been made by the Secretary Akhargekar to various government agencies besides a complaint to Mapusa Police station regarding the fake bills submitted over a Residential camp which never happened, while only a non-residential day-camp was held.
“Cycling is a very expensive sport as you know our Equipment budget sanctioned was around 41 lacs. And 80% of that Budget went towards Unique Fitness tender of Rs. 33,59,080 to which none of our riders used any of the equipment provided by Unique Fitness for the camp nor during Goa National Games as it was all Sub Standard and our rider had advanced equipment then the ones provided by Unique Fitness. Be it Rs 3 LACS per bike or Rs 3,000 per helmet,” says Placid in his letter.
“Unique Fitness is a company based in Mumbai. When part of the equipment arrived from the Mumbai vendor, riders were complaining about the condition of the bikes and had to sort out maintenance of newly procured bikes worth upto 3 lacs. I can’t understand why you Mr Akhargekar were hell-bent on procuring equipment from a Mumbai Based Company called Unique Fitness in spite of me giving you 3 local based tenders who provided us with a much better quotation for our equipment than the provided from Unique Fitness. CAG as a government body should be encouraging and supporting local based businesses which in turn will help build our community of cyclists in the State of Goa,” he added.
Placid said the playing kit provided for the athletes was not up to the standard forcing GCA to make alternative arrangements.
“Furthermore, another equipment expenditure requirement of Rs 1,11,588 over the Unique Fitness had to be sorted out from Apace Pune as the playing kit provided by Unique Fitness was absolutely 3rd grade. And it would be a disgrace if the Host State, Team Goa wore such jerseys during competition days at National Games 2023.
Denying his role in the fake bills submitted by GCA to Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) Placid says: “My Role as Jt. Secretary at CAG is to ‘Assist General Secretary in carrying out the business of the Association”. I have no authority to sanction or approve any matter whether it be dates of selection trials/meetings, venues, approval or submission of quotation/bills or issuance of any cheques. All I can do is give my input/views towards the technical aspect in cycling as a sport. And my main priority is to see that our athletes don’t get affected by the ‘behind the scenes’ of the Cycling Association Of Goa.”
“A Camp of 45 days starting from 11th September to 25th October was conducted and a specialist Coach named Mr Sudam Rokade was appointed by the Secretary Mr Akhargekar himself with a payment of Rs 1,90,000/- made to Mr Rokade towards his coaching role at the said camp. The Coach along with me as manager oversaw the camp,” he further added.
“The camp was to help riders train for National Games 2023 and enhance their talent, increase their vo2 and aerobic capacity,” he said in his letter.
