APOA seeks probe into financial irregularities in state sports bodies

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA) is approaching the AP government, belatedly, to hold a police inquiry into the financial irregularities in the AP sports associations. Those handling these entities are suspected to be engaged in illegal and unethical acts and misappropriation of huge sums in the name of sports development.

APOA secretary KP Rao told the media here on Sunday that government employees had been put as office-bearers of the district/state sports associations without prior permission from the concerned heads of the department. They were involved in such illegal activities, he said.

Rao alleged that several associations conducted tournaments and collected lakhs by violating the NSDC2011 sports code. They did not issue certificates for the player's participation or Merit certificates of National/State championships.

The sport's associations took money from SAAP and the AP government in the name of several programmes but misused those funds and hence did not submit proper audit reports and annual reports with utilization certificates.

Rao said APOA will lodge a complaint with the AP government with all details, seeking a transparent probe. It would seek stern action against violation of norms and misuse of funds, he said. He did not explain why APOA kept quiet for so long.