Sports Minister “Satisfied” Funds Spent for CARIFTA Games Success, Despite P.A.C. Report

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Sports Minister Mario Bowleg is on the defense over the handling of the 50th CARIFTA Games that were held in The Bahamas in 2023.

His comments stem from the Public Accounts Committee’s probe into the 50th CARIFTA Games, as their report was tabled in Parliament Wednesday morning.

The P.A.C reviewed the Auditor General’s audit of the 50th CARIFTA Games that was tabled in Parliament back in 2024, with the report finding that there was a more than $800,000 deficit for the 2023 CARIFTA Games.

Fast forward two years later, and the P.A.C says they found inadequacies in the governance and procurement, as well as failures of public administration and the financial control framework surrounding the games.

However, that’s not all.

P.A.C also found weaknesses existed from the inception of the project, due to no event organization agreement being executed.

The Committee said it “deprived the games of a clear governing framework and contributed to uncertainty regarding authority, responsibility and accountability”.

We caught up with Sports Minister Mario Bowleg on the sidelines of Wedesday night’s memorial service for former cabinet minister Neville Wisdom, asking him about P.A.C’s findings.

Mario Bowleg – Minister, Sports

“I have no idea what the P.A.C is talking about, but I thank them for the efforts and the work they try to do. As it relates to the CARIFTA 2023 Audit Report, you will find nothing contrary or different that was done by the Auditor General…”

Bowleg also raises questions about Opposition Leader Michael Pintard’s motives.

Mario Bowleg – Minister, Sports

“While they are using government funds, this is the reason why they are audited after the event. And so to say, the minister did not sign, or wasn’t aware of the contract being signed, you know, I don’t know. Why was the PAC or the the leader of the opposition, I should say, continue to dig for things that is not there?”

Now in it’s report, the P.A.C. also called for reforms when it comes to publicly funded events, including “stronger governance structures, clearer accountability arrangements, more rigorous procurement controls and enhanced public transparency”.

As for Bowleg, he’s also questioning whether there was any wrongdoing in the first place.

Mario Bowleg – Minister, Sports

“….There’s nothing to discuss. The CARIFTA Game was successful, the financial reports was there, the questions that needed to be answered were answered, and that’s that.”