AT secretary general Suleiman Nyambui

Barely nine months ahead of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in the Indian capital of Delhi, Athletics Tanzania, AT, is alleged to be haunted by 10m/- scam.

The scam is alleged to be rooted in the 2008 books of accounts with resultant suspension of the body’s treasurer whose name is withheld.

AT secretary general Suleiman Nyambui acknowledged presence of the scam which has been reported to police for further investigation.

Audit investigations on the AT books of accounts has come out with results showing the said amount has been spent without properly supported documentation.

The suspended treasurer could not be contacted to comment on the case as his phone was out of reach throughout the day.

AT banks heavily on donations and sponsorship proceeds to run most of its affairs including sending athletes to international events outside the country.

AT sent some athletes to Beijing Olympics in 2008 and all of them returned home with empty hands. Nyambui could not make any comments on the scam as the case is still under investigations by police.

Hotel accommodation, allowances and other miscellaneous expenditures are alleged to be linked with the 10m/- scam that lack proper documentation and approval.

Tanzania International Container Terminal Services, TICTS is one of the local firms that has been pouring money into the AT in promotion of athletics and participation of international events.

The financial scam has come at the worst moment when AT is gearing up to mould athletes who are to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games.

The lackluster performance of the Tanzanian athletes in international stages has for the biggest part lost enthusiasm from the public.

AT has come under fire for sending a poor team in the Berlin World championship last year with none of them making an impact despite strong financial backing from TICTS and other firms.

Performance disarray and the financial scam has lowered the credibility of the athletics body with pressure mounting for the leadership overhaul.