21 Feb 2013

Sport: New ASNOC President commits to audit

11:15 am on 21 February 2013

The newly elected president of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee has promised transparency and accountability for a sporting body which has faced much public criticism over its lack of financial transparency.

Victor Langkilde, who is also president of the American Samoa Baseball Association, takes over the leadership post from Ken Tupua, who had been president since early 2011 following the sudden death of Ben Solaita.

The 42 year old says he ran for president to open up the process more for wide participation and decision making, along with good reporting and transparency.

There have been complaints in recent years by some sporting members as well as the community over the lack of an audit of financial statement for ASNOC and for such information to be made public.

Langkilde says the first order of business is to conduct an audit along and he plans to hold a meeting later this week with leaders of all sports groups in the territory.