An interim executive management team is to be appointed to oversee the running of Sport NI as it faces a period of challenge brought about by Monday’s resignation of nine of the 14 Board members.
Minister Caral Ní Chuilin (pictured) met the remaining members of the Board yesterday and said afterwards that she was “introducing a package of measures to address the concerns raised (in an internal report) and to reassure me that the organisation is fit for purpose.”
The new team is made up of civil servants from within the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. It will be responsible for conducting and independent and confidential survey of the 140 members of staff at Sport NI and evaluating the way in which they are managed.
The Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown (left) has been suspended pending a review of allegations made by her and about her since earlier this year. She became the first woman to head the organisation after joining from her previous position as head of the Northern Ireland Consumer Council in 2013.
Sport NI is responsible for the distribution of almost £30 Million in public funding towards sport at both performance and participation levels.
It runs along similar lines to the Irish Sports Council which will shortly be replaced in the Republic by Sport Ireland.
The timing of the controversy will do little to assist sports and athletes in the crucial qualifying phase for the Rio Olympics next year. Athletes from Northern Ireland won 12 medals at last summer’s Commonwealth Games.
There are also concerns that if the issues are not resolved swiftly that they may have an impact on Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
