Headlines:
| OCG investigating CTL/SportMax agreement |
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| Monday, 21 July 2008 | |
 The Office of the Contractor-General (OCG) has begun
investigations into alleged irregularities surrounding a reported proposal by
SportsMax Limited to supply satellite services for simulcast racing, from South Africa and the United Kingdom, to Caymanas Track
Limited (CTL). SportsMax Limited which operates a Caribbean sports cable channel is a Jamaican registered corporation whose Chairman is Patrick Rousseau. Mr.Rousseau is also the Chairman of CTL which is a Public Body. A release from the OCG said it will also be investigating what it described as a commercial arrangement for the provision of satellite services, which seems to be in place between CTL, International Media Content Limited, and Phumelela Gold International. Phumelela Gold International is reportedly affiliated with Phumelela Gold Enterprises, a South African entity which owns international broadcast rights for horse-racing. 
St.
Lucia based IMC, whose primary business is
reportedly the acquisition of television and radio broadcasting rights for
sporting events, has been described by both CTL and the SportsMax website as
"the parent company" of SportsMax Limited.The OCG's decision to commence the Investigation was taken after media reports last month raised concerns about how the SportsMax deal was made. A major local horse-racing body has also written to the Contractor General to express its concern and to formally request an investigation into the matter. CTL's response to queries from the OCG also raised red flags. The investigation will seek to determine whether the satellite services to be supplied by IMC were procured in compliance with the Government's Procurement Guidelines, whether this involved any irregularity and who gave CTL permission to proceed to pay IMC in the absence of a formal contract. |