Disi fund put on ice

The International Olympic Committee has frozen its sponsorship to Dieudonne Disi ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The International Olympic Committee has frozen its sponsorship to Dieudonne Disi ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Talking to Times Sport last week, Disi said that ICO through their Olympic Solidarity Fund arrangement cut-off his sponsorship.

He attributes the surprise development to the long-standing misunderstanding between himself and the National Olympic Committee.

"Committee Olympic seem to have lost interest in supporting me. They know quite well that they’re the only people with powers to request for that sponsorship but they don’t for reasons I don’t know about.

"They (Rnoc) request money on my behalf from IOC but it seems they no longer want to do it. I just don’t know what to do,” Disi angrily grumbled.

The 10.000m and half marathon national record holder noted that money is supposed to be directed to Rnoc account (from IOC) then, it’s the national committee that directs to his (Disi) personal account but it’s not being the case.

The Rwanda National Olympic Committee president Ignace Beraho admitted last week that it is true the money has been frozen due the athlete’s failure to account for the money he used for the last quota.

"Disi has failed to account for the money he received for the last quote (which is three months), something that has forced the international body (IOC) to stop his sponsorship,” said the veteran administrator.

Before adding that, "He has failed to account the $4300 (about Frw2.4 millions) which he received this year. If he can account for that money, then we shall also convince IOC to change their mind.

Disi is supposed to get $19.000 (about Frw10.5M) from the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity Fund to facilitate his preparations for next year’s Olympic Games.

However, Beraho urged that since the 27-year old, who is doing his training in Europe has failed to name both his manager and coach (preferably chosen by Rnoc),they are  not convinced whether he is actually preparing for the Olympic Games or just "busy making money in Europe”.

Ends