FACE OF CYCLING : Darren Young in this file photo during a cyclone event in Apia with (inset) Seti Afoa in the ongoing Cycling Samoa controversy.
By Staff Writer
Legal charges of fraud are being brought up in court against the President of the already de-registered Cycling Federation of Samoa or Samoa Cycling, as the national ruling body for the sport.
An official statement circulated to the media on the legal matter confirmed the charges against businessman and sports leader Mr. Seti Afoa as President.
Unlawful charges filed at the start of the week, in a private prosecution by members of the sport, are of deception and obtaining by deception.
Afoa is being charged under the Crimes Act 2013 “ …in relation to the continuation of the registration of Samoa Cycling as an incorporated society with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labor (MCIL).”
“The now-defunct Cycling Federation of Samoa (Samoa Cycling) which was deregistered by MCIL on 24 November 2023….had not held an Annual General Meeting, or had its financial accounts audited since it was first established in 2018,” the media statement claimed.
Samoa Cycling was recognised by the national co-ordinating body for amateur sports, SASNOC, as responsible for cycling.
The media statement went on to claim that “…in July 2023, members of Samoa Cycling – Darren and Lani Young – wrote to MCIL with their concerns about the governance of their sport.
“They informed MCIL that Mr Afoa was using his personal bank account in New Zealand to receive funding from international cycling bodies.”
According to the statement “…this funding was given for the development of Samoa’s cyclists.”
Afoa is being summoned to appear before the District Court next month on 16 April 2024.
GP Law firm are representing the complainants in court.