Dausabea Vows Of Probe Over SPG Allegations

Dausabea Vows Of Probe Over SPG Allegations

National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) President Charles Dausabea said an independent team will be set up to investigate the alleged misconduct by a senior member of the Team Solomon to the South Pacific Games in Samoa.

The allegations were leveled at a General Team Manager of the Solomon Islands contingent Mr James Tora while he was part of the contingent at the Samoan Games.

Nineteen-year old athlete Wendy Hale has revealed in an interview with the national Broadcaster SIBC that Mr Tora had approached her in a manner that contributed to her loss at weightlifting. She missed out on winning gold medal but won three silver medals at the 58 kilogram category.

Ms Hale has alleged that Mr Tora has took her out during an evening in Samoa and while returning to his hotel, has asked to spend some time with her in his hotel room. She told SIBC that Mr Tora has given her presents but she refused his advances.

He later took her back to her camping venue.

Mr Dausabea said NOCSI and the Solomon Islands Government has deplored such behavior and vowed that the incident will be fully investigated as soon as possible.

"Natural justice must be allowed to take its course in fairness to the parties", Mr Dausabea, the MP for East Honiara, told a news conference earlier today.

Mr Dausabea said the allegations against Mr Tora, who is also the MP for Ulawa/Ugi in Makira Province, is 'totally unacceptable' if found to be true since he (Mr Tora) was a very senior official.

Mr Dausabea said the independent investigation team will consist of, among others, a lawyer, women and youth leaders.

He said the team will be finalised after he briefed the Prime Minister on the incident on his (PM) return from the Premiers Conference in Renbel Province later in the week.

Ms Hale joins 14 other weightlifters from the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Samoa to compete in the World Championships in Thailand next week.

ENDS

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