Filenews 7 July 2023 - by Fanis Makrides
The Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sport is investigating potential matchups in six separate cases.
In the case of shooting ranges, the Commission has obtained eponymous testimony to the effect that there are strange receipts of tens of thousands of euros. In particular, in the case of the shooting range in Nicosia, it appears that when a specific person took over as manager of the facility, the profits were ten times higher than those declared in other months.
Specifically, the shooting range in question allegedly showed in financial statements that it had revenues of €5,000 to €6,000 per month. When another person took over as director, the influx of money reportedly skyrocketed. Over a period of three months, according to an authoritative source who spoke to "F", the shooting range under new management had revenues of more than €50,000 and €60,000 per month. In fact, reports indicate that in a 30-day period, under the new management, the shooting range recorded revenues approaching €70,000 .
When the director left for reasons that have not been specified, profits reportedly returned to low levels, between €4,000 and €5,000.
All of the above, as we noted, seem to be the content of a named testimony put before the Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sports. In fact, this testimony is reportedly supported by documents.
According to our well-informed source, the Ethics Committee is gearing up to entrust the investigation of the shooting range issue to chartered accountants. This is because of the nature of the case.
Please note that each shooter pays cash to buy cartridges and train upon entering the shooting range. In fact, during the procedure followed there is a record of the cartridges purchased. By extension, there is evidence available that can show whether what is being reported is true or not.
Cyprus National Paralympic Committee
The other important case concerns the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee. The Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sports received named complaints about possible corruption.
Among the allegations is the allegation that the recent event of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee in a luxury restaurant in Limassol was not budgeted. Based on the positions presented in the complaint, the costs for each person ranged from €80, while the total cost of the event was €8,000-9,000.
The event was about the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The National Paralympic Committee honoured its supporters/sponsors for this major sporting event that will take place in the French capital.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, was also an honorary guest, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kombos, as well as other officials, such as the President of the CSO, Andreas Michaelides, also participated in the event.
The President of the Republic, in his speech, stated, among other things, that "it is one of the few events, perhaps the only one, that did not request financial assistance from the state, which means that volunteers support it financially, but if you need the state's help, either through the CSO or directly, we are here and I declare it".
It should be noted here that the board members have reportedly been replacing in their positions for about six months. There was no electoral process.
The establishment of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee is provided for in the CMO Law (article 23 B{I}) and is directly subsidized by the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
The Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sport is reportedly gearing up to assign this case to a person who has experience investigating criminal cases.
Incompatibility under investigation for a senior CMO official
The competent authority to safeguard sport has decided to conduct four more investigations. They concern the air pistol, a senior officer of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, the Judo Federation and in particular the Cyprus Shooting Federation. In detail, the six cases that will be investigated and exactly what will be examined:
>> Air Pistol: Executives have been accused of promoting athletes not for their performance, but on the basis of personal relationships.
>> Cyprus National Paralympic Committee: As we mentioned, there are named complaints about specific executives, as well as last June's event.
>> Judo Federation: The National Committee for Ethics and Protection of Sports has received a complaint that certain athletes are promoted, without their performance being commensurate.
>> Cyprus Shooting Federation: Investigated following a complaint about board practices affecting athletes' performance.
>> Shooting ranges: There are general complaints about the management of facilities in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca. However, in this case the complaint relates specifically to the shooting range in the capital.
>> Senior CMO Officer: The person in question is accused of having a post in a Federation, while holding a post in a Federation, participating in the meetings and decisions of the CSO Board of Directors for the sport he serves. In other words, there is an incompatibility.
With the wording used in its communication the day before yesterday by the Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sport, it gives an indication of the form and seriousness of the complaints. On the air pistol, the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee and the Judo Federation said it would investigate "potential" or "potential" corruption. On the contrary, in the case of a CMO official, it is stated that a case of incompatibility will be investigated without using any surname. Similarly, in the case of shooting ranges and SKOK there is clearly talk of "investigating corruption". As we are told, this has to do with what emerged from the preliminary investigation of the Ethics Committee.
It should be recalled, however, that the Ethics Committee considers that shooting ranges are a big issue. At its meeting on 21 June, it decided to launch a procedure for sports facilities to be placed under the management of the Cyprus Sports Organisation when it is judged that the competent federation is affected by acts of corruption.
In fact, on 23 June the Commission had sent a letter to that effect to the CMO. Before sending the letter, the legislation was studied and it was found that there is no legal impediment, while the existing legislative provisions allow this. This decision had to do with developments regarding the Cyprus Shooting Federation (SKOK). Secure information from "F" indicates that three investigations are currently underway for this federation.
INTERVENTION
Will is the key?
At a recent meeting of the Committee on Ethics and Protection of Sport, it was decided to take steps to give this House investigative powers. This is because since the Commission - according to the legislation - can only do investigative work, the resolution of cases and their forwarding to court is delayed. As has been stressed on several occasions, the Commission considers that if it can do the investigative work itself and does not have to go back and forth between the Legal Service and the police, then valuable time will be saved. There is talk of delays of 2-3 years, which will be avoided. We believe, however, that this decision cannot be implemented. Besides, in the case of the Independent Authority against Corruption, the attempt to acquire investigative powers was bogged down in the Constitution. There is, however, one element with which everything is overcome: will. If there is a real will, even with today's procedures, a case can quickly be investigated criminally and taken to court.
