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Offline Jack Horner

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Re: SPoRTT and the Ministry of Sport
« Reply #60 on: May 29, 2013, 05:49:32 AM »
You guys keep thinking Jack was the problem, we have a million crooks in T&T.

Jack Warner will rise again and the world will beg him him to return and he will say "NO".............

Offline Football supporter

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Re: SPoRTT and the Ministry of Sport
« Reply #61 on: May 29, 2013, 06:09:16 AM »
You guys keep thinking Jack was the problem, we have a million crooks in T&T.



For once, I agree with Mr Horner. Jack was a very public figure, most of these guys are hiding in the shadows and probably thiefing a lot more!!

Offline Big Magician

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Re: SPoRTT and the Ministry of Sport
« Reply #62 on: May 29, 2013, 08:46:09 AM »
plus..he IS The KING Crook
Little Magician is King.......ask Jorge Campos


Offline Flex

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Creed: Sporting bodies must improve fund-raising efforts.
« Reply #63 on: September 18, 2013, 01:53:54 AM »
Creed: Sporting bodies must improve fund-raising efforts.
By Kern De Freitas (Express).


National sporting organisations need to put greater emphasis on fund-raising for their respective sports.

That is the sentiment expressed by Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) executive manager of sport development and performance Anthony Creed.

There have been a number of issues surrounding the funding of sporting bodies by the Ministry, the latest being the national women’s hockey team that left T&T yesterday for the Pan American Cup in Mendoza, Argentina. The competition flicks off on Saturday.

The Express reported yesterday that the team had failed to make the $500,000 budget for the trip. They are still $200,000 short.

Yesterday the Express spoke to Creed—brother of Ministry of Sport permanent secretary Ashwin Creed—about the TTHB budget. He gave a breakdown of the funds already provided to the Hockey Board.

“The company had $1.8 million allocated to hockey,” he said. “They have spent $1,962,076. They have exhausted their allocation. The Sports Company can’t take stone and make bread. Plus they got $200,000 from the Ministry of Sports for one of their programmes, which means they got almost $2.2 million.”

The TTHB, he stated, exhausted its allocation by March this year, adding: “Having more money for the allocation, it would have been hard for them to ask for more money.”

Creed told the Express that while 30 per cent of the budget was allocated to player development and a further ten per cent to capacity building, most of the money was actually spent on high performance (international/elite competition).

And Creed, who is also Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) president, said the Sports Company was allotted $25.8 million to split among the local sporting bodies.

In its budget submitted to SPORTT, hockey requested $10.8 million, while other requests were as follows: cycling ($5 million), track and field ($8.7 million), volleyball ($6.2 million) and cricket ($12 million).

The sums they actually got were $1.8 million (hockey), $1.3 million (cycling), $2.8 million (track and field) and $3.1 million (cricket).

Creed compared T&T’s government funding to Jamaica’s, stating that the latter was given the equivalent of TT$12 million to divvy up between 42 national sporting organisations. That figure is actually $12.58 million, and was earmarked for supporting development programmes, administrative expenses, training of athletes and administrators, and for participation in national and international competitions.

“The NAAA (National Association of Athletics Administrations) (and) cricket (are) making efforts to get their (corporate) support, but I have no idea what other sponsorships the hockey board (is getting).”

The Hockey Board, however, is not disputing the funds received. Its bone of contention is the money spent on the World Hockey League hosted in T&T last November, an issue raised publicly during the Men’s Pan American Cup last month in Canada, where the T&T stickmen won bronze.

Camacho repeated the claim that the Hockey Board had agreed with the Ministry of Sport to host the World League first round on the basis that the event—a new format of qualifiers introduced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH)—which had not initially been budgeted for would not come out of hockey’s allocation.

The event came off, but the hockey board, Camacho said, was never reimbursed.

“They keep saying hockey has utilised their allocation...but they keep counting the funds from the League,” the former T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC) president stressed. “If they don’t count that, we wouldn’t be over budget.

“We weren’t prepared to participate and host the competition unless the support was separate and apart from the initial allocation,” he said, adding that the TTHB had agreed to host the event as it falls in line with government’s sports tourism policy.

That, Camacho said, is the reason for the “disconnect” between the Ministry and the Board.

The T&T stickwomen (world ranked 26th) face World No. 2 Argentina, Canada (ranked 23rd) and Guyana (56th) in Pool A for a place in the Pan Am Cup semifinals. The winners of the tournament will compete at the FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands next year.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Thread.
« Reply #64 on: September 29, 2013, 05:49:17 AM »
SporTT no ATM card
September 28, 2013
Vinode Mamchan
T&T Guardian.


There is an old saying which suggests it is better to teach a man to fish, rather than give him a fish. The rationale behind this is that when you teach a man a skill he can take care of himself rather than suffer when the provider stops feeding the habit. Over the past few weeks, I have been delving into the situation and conditions under which national governing bodies (NGB) get their funding from the government of T&T. I decided to do this because recent reports that a national Under-15 football team did not attend a tournament and the national hockey team didn’t receive assistance from Sportt for their last tournament in Canada. I grew really frustrated and fed-up of the same thing over and over. T&T is striving to get to first world status and having tall buildings in the nation's capital would not save the shame when we fail to show at international tournaments.
 
What on God’s green earth were those officials at Sportt doing? Were they sitting on their laurels while the country faced embarrassment. I had to get answers and asked for a meeting with anyone who would have given me some answers. Adrian Raymond, the communications and marketing manager, was contacted and he decided to bring the top brass to talk with me. Present at the meeting were the CEO John Mollenthiel, Raymond Anthony Creed the man charged with the responsibility of dishing out funding. There were two other well informed officials of Sportt at the meeting as well. During this meeting, evidence was provided to me that left me stunned. Here it is some NGBs are running to the media to tell the population that they are not getting this, that and the other. What I realised is that these NGBs are seeing the Sportt as a bank and are making fundamental errors in drawing down their funds.
 
While they should take blame for not having their funds on time, they apportion blame to Sportt and the ministry of Sport. NGBs must comply with the rules and work together with Sportt to get smooth funding. Sportt has to account to the ministry of sport and cabinet when they disburse money. The NGBs must take into consideration that if they don’t grow the sport then what is the use giving them money. What many of the NGBs come to Sportt for is tickets and accommodation money and there is an abuse as far as this is concerned. More often than not it is a case of “trips for the boys” at the cost of the taxpayers dollars.
 
NGBs must understand that Sportt dollars are for development and not to waste on partners. Many NGBs go to the Sportt and ministry of sports as if they are walking into an ABM booth. They need to take page out of the operations of the T&T Cricket Board. They have used the sport to attract investors, so it they need to send a team abroad and Sportt has to look for the money, they can fund their own expenses and then allow Sportt time to find the money, which is then reimbursed to them.  It is high time that officials make a conscious effort to assist themselves and use an assistance rather than a bank.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline dcs

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Re: Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Thread.
« Reply #65 on: September 29, 2013, 08:26:06 PM »
Did this author seek info from the NGBs before coming to his conclusions?
Is this A paid journalist or a letter to the editor because the burden of investigative responsibility if you want to call it that is different. 

Offline Tallman

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Re: Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Thread.
« Reply #66 on: September 29, 2013, 08:32:56 PM »
Did this author seek info from the NGBs before coming to his conclusions?
Is this A paid journalist or a letter to the editor because the burden of investigative responsibility if you want to call it that is different. 


Dat article was ah waste of time, because he eh relly say nutten. If he did come out wit specific examples, dat would be another story.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline MEP

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Re: Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Thread.
« Reply #67 on: September 29, 2013, 08:56:34 PM »
Did this author seek info from the NGBs before coming to his conclusions?
Is this A paid journalist or a letter to the editor because the burden of investigative responsibility if you want to call it that is different. 


Dat article was ah waste of time, because he eh relly say nutten. If he did come out wit specific examples, dat would be another story.

Nah ah think that was a high school blogger...definitely not a professional journalist

Offline Football supporter

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Re: Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Thread.
« Reply #68 on: September 30, 2013, 03:01:02 AM »
Did this author seek info from the NGBs before coming to his conclusions?
Is this A paid journalist or a letter to the editor because the burden of investigative responsibility if you want to call it that is different. 


Vinode Mamchan is a journalist working for the Guardian.

Offline Flex

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Re: SPORTT ... is it working to help the youths?
« Reply #69 on: December 16, 2014, 04:45:32 AM »
‘THIS SERIOUS’
By Andre Bagoo (Newsday).
Tuesday, December 16 2014


A SPECIAL investigation by the Office of the Auditor General has found escalating costs to the tune of $557 million in relation to three highly-touted national sporting facilities currently being managed by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Sportt).

Minister of Sport Dr Rupert Griffith yesterday described the findings of the special audit as “serious” and “important” as he convened the first of a series of meetings with ministry and company officials on the matter.

Sunday Newsday reported on the findings of the special audit, which was tabled in the Senate last Tuesday.

The Auditor General found hundreds of millions being paid for sporting facilities which are still incomplete; escalating costs; unjustified expenses for high-capital projects; wasted millions on recreation grounds; duplication and a history of expensive litigation relating to staff.

In relation to costs, the Auditor General’s special report examined three national facilities in cycling, swimming and tennis. The cost for these facilities moved from $120 million in 2007 to $677 million in 2013.

The Report states, “In October 2007, more than six and a half years ago, initial approval was granted for the development and construction of three national facilities in cycling, swimming and tennis to be located in Mucurapo, Mount Hope and Tacarigua respectively. These facilities had a total estimated cost of $120 million with an expected two-year completion date in 2009. This period elapsed and construction work on the facilities did not commence.”

The Report noted that in May 2013, more than six and a half years later, another approval was granted for the same facilities at a total estimated cost in excess of $677 million, an increase of $557 million, equivalent to 464 percent more than the 2007 estimated cost.

“The initial locations of the cycling and swimming centres were changed to Couva,” the Report, dated November 28, 2014, states. “At the time of this Report, construction is underway in Couva, although the land acquisition aspect has not been finalised. Construction works on all three facilities are on-going with an expected completion date of May 2015.”

The Report further states, “Sportt’s delay in the implementation of construction projects and changes in locations of projects resulted in increased estimated costs.”

The cost escalations are likely to evoke comparisons with other controversial sporting projects such as the ill-fated Brian Lara Stadium at Tarouba which has moved from $277 million to in excess of $1.1 billion. The aquatic centre, like the Tarouba facility, is also due to be named after one of the nation’s outstanding sportsmen, swimmer George Bovell III.

SCG (International) Caribbean has been identified as the main contractor at work on the velodrome and aquatic centres, though a local sub-contractor, Universal Projects Limited, has also been associated with them.

The Report also said the auditors were unable to find a clear “rationale” for these “high expenditure” projects based on their review.

“The Ministry of Sport, in justifying the development and construction of the three national facilities, highlights the need to develop, on an incremental scale, potential athletes for competitions at the national and international levels. Neither the Ministry of Sport nor Sportt was able to provide a ‘Sport for All’ rationale for selecting high expenditure national facility projects in cycling, swimming and tennis,” the Report states. “Measures are not in place to collect or analyse data related to membership and participation from the national sporting organisations for each of these three and other disciplines. Additionally, Sportt does not have performance indicators to measure potential growth in these sporting disciplines to inform the construction of these projects.”

Contacted yesterday, Griffith said the ministry was in the process of reviewing the findings.

“The report is a serious report one which we need to take note of,” the minister told Newsday. “Certain recommendations that were made we are going to consider them. Another meeting is planned to allow us to drill down further into the report.”

Griffith said the ministry began a process of reviewing the report since it was tabled in the Senate.

“We began reviewing the report since last week,” Griffith said. “We have met today – this morning (yesterday)– over it. Most of the activity described in the report relates to the pre-2010 period. The Auditor General’s Report is an important report by any standards. There are about 15 or 16 recommendations in it that the ministry and the Sport company will take on board. I have met with department heads and the permanent secretary as well as officials of Sportt.”

At a topping-off ceremony for the cycling facility on May 26, then Sport Minister Anil Roberts remarked, “it is the beginning of the dawn of a new era for Trinidad and Tobago where sport is now an industry. We shall create job opportunities and a sustainable future for our citizens. Sport tourism is around the corner and these facilities will be the benchmark.”

The Auditor General also found that a total of $411 million was spent from 2009 to 2013 on sporting facilities meant to provide “sport for all”, but that purported goal has not been achieved. The auditors also said Sportt is now managing $2.3 billion in projects, but has no sound means of measuring progress on its objectives, gaps in records and has committed reporting breaches.

The Report also examines the development and construction of three multi-purpose facilities planned. It notes that in April 2005, approval was granted for the development and construction of three multi-purpose facilities at a total cost of $51 million.

“Almost six years later, Sportt had failed to commence work on these facilities,” the Report states. In March 2011, another approval was given for Sportt to undertake work on the same facilities as an increased estimated cost of $165 million, an increase of $114 million, equivalent to 223.5 percent of the 2005 estimated cost.

The initial approved locations for the facilities were changed from the north and east regions (Arima, Diego Martin and Sangre Grande) to the Central and South regions (Charlieville, Couva and Fyzabad). At the same time, “contrary to approved changed locations, Sportt has spent $18.6 million to develop multi-purpose facilities instead in Aranjuez, Jerningham Junction and Sangre Grande.” Work is yet to commence on the approved locations.

A similar story emerged from the review of regional recreation grounds and the programme to upgrade local corporation grounds. A total of $103 million was spent by September 2013. Of 104 local corporation grounds planned, 42 were completed at a cost of $68 million, while no regional recreation grounds have been completed.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Bakes

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #70 on: December 16, 2014, 06:47:31 AM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

Offline Deeks

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #71 on: December 16, 2014, 08:10:33 AM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

Dude, you too smart for yourself, oui. Funny thing when these three projects were proposed. I thought that  they should have all been built at mt. Hope and not scatter all over the country. At least , in the future, if TT wanted to host CAC or other regional games, the closeness of these facilities would cut down on travel for the athletes. You know we have the "best" transport system in the world. When Couva was chosen, we know it was constituency politics. Jack and Anil were still in good grace in the coalition. But I said to myself, it make sense, because Ato B stadium close by. So TF, swimming, cycling, tennis are all in a "geographic central" area of the country. There is more space for parking, and development. So I was not too critical. But that cost of 120 mil for the 3 facilities was highly suspicious. But I did not say anything because I thought they had learned from the Lara stadium fiasco and would have shown Patos and PNM a thing or 3 about good governance. But the perception is so different when you are in the driver,s seat.

Offline Bakes

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #72 on: December 16, 2014, 09:16:45 AM »
Deeks SporTT in such a mess it not even funny.  Just reading some of these old threads is only now I really starting to connect the dots as it pertains to dysfunction within (atop) this government agency.  Is how many Directors/CEOs/Chief cooks this agency has had in just the past seven years??  Is like everybody roll in long enough to sign off on a couple contracts, collect whatever kickbacks from the contractor... then roll out.  I remember when folks on here used to kill Gary Hunt... sometimes yuh have to heed the old saying "be careful what you wish for..."

Offline Mose

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #73 on: December 16, 2014, 10:19:05 AM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

Am I mistaken or was that the same group that was funding Central FC at one time, if not still?
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Offline Bakes

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #74 on: December 16, 2014, 11:00:49 AM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

Am I mistaken or was that the same group that was funding Central FC at one time, if not still?

Nah that's SIS... Krishna Lalla's company.  Briefly thought the same when I first saw the name though.

Offline Football supporter

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #75 on: December 16, 2014, 06:09:26 PM »
“At the time of this Report, construction is underway in Couva, although the land acquisition aspect has not been finalised."

 ???

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #76 on: December 16, 2014, 06:11:35 PM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

Am I mistaken or was that the same group that was funding Central FC at one time, if not still?

Nah that's SIS... Krishna Lalla's company.  Briefly thought the same when I first saw the name though.

It's definitely not SIS,....however, they have lots of companies with different names so, who knows?

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #77 on: December 16, 2014, 06:14:36 PM »
Anybody know if SCG International has any ties to the PP government? I also find it curious that the development sites have been moved to Couva, aka the PP's prime stomping ground.

The initial approved locations for the facilities were changed from the north and east regions (Arima, Diego Martin and Sangre Grande) to the Central and South regions (Charlieville, Couva and Fyzabad).

There's a saying I heard by a former U.S. president.......once is happenstance, twice is circumstance, three times it's war!!

Offline Flex

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #78 on: December 17, 2014, 06:40:15 AM »
Time for sporting overhaul in T&T.
By Andre Baptise (Guardian).


Sport in T&T needs to be overhauled. Who can and who will do it?

No one has faith in the Ministry of Sports or the Sports Company, because of their previous administrative records.

Meanwhile, as everyone awaits a saviour, this country continues to fall behind most of the Caribbean, not only in terms of success or medals, but rather in terms of integrity and care.

And it is these simple words, integrity and care that appears to be destroying sport and nobody is interested in correcting the situation.

The Olympic Committee (TTOC) is one organisation, that has maintained its independence and its status during this malaise but the problem is that many of the sporting organisations are either too ashamed or afraid to ask TTOC for assistance.

This though is wrong but in this country, false pride and deceit seem to make good bedfellows.

If one examines the current problems in sport, they can all be solved with both dialogue and constructive work ethics, which are not adhered to by most administrators.

The constant cry of working for “free” as an excuse is wrong, and should not be encouraged, in fact anyone who seeks to say this, should either be FIRED immediately or asked to RESIGN immediately.

In football, the lack of trust in the previous administration still haunts the current team and cannot easily be eroded because of the similarity of faces on the various committees, while a complete sweep is never good.

Football needs to be able to breathe again, so if the current administration cannot regain the faith of the public, they must remove themselves. As it stands, to continue is a recipe for disaster and failure, especially as prospective sponsors will look elsewhere.

In cricket, the problem is one of expertise. We do not have the correct persons in the important areas such as development and selection.

When one examines the current state of our cricket at the four-day level, it looks terrible and the results this season have done nothing to change the feeling that a new selection committee is needed. There are some that suggest the coaches and management are not on the same page, and that has brought about a lot of disharmony.

In horseracing, there is a belief that with no Betting Levy Board in place and with a weak Racing Authority, there is not much hope for improvement.

Whether or not the powers that be have grown tired of horseracing nobody knows, but there is a general feeling that horseracing has lost its way and is only surviving based on the love for the sport from many of those involved.

How long this can continue, no one knows because there is a growing belief that favouritism still obtains in some of the judgments in this sport, particularly surrounding trainers and owners.

In swimming, there has and always will be the claim of nepotism, and while many of the officials in this sport primarily are on hand because of a family interest, this one must believe should not so influence a sport that persons could lose objectively in their decision making which could adversely affect young talented swimmers.

It is sad because this is a sport, which may have the greatest potential for success in all areas, as we have some very talented young swimmers, who need encouragement and motivation.

While some have suggested that a change in leadership may be the catalyst for the rise of swimming again in the society.

In basketball, despite the Hoop of Life tournament, at a national level basketball is at its lowest point, with no apparent approval possible in the near future.

T&T has lost its edge as one of the best basketball teams in the region, despite the abundance of talent in this country.

In sambo, while this sport continues to grow, it is not being supported.

There are so many sports under pressure in this country from a lack of accountability and transparency that it is becoming normal to read or listen every day from one contentious issue to another.

Even golf and gymnastics, which in the past, seemed oblivious to complaints, have found themselves in the news for the wrong reasons.

In the past, the TTOC has attempted to enhance the administrative strength of sporting organisations by specific management training courses, whether this is still ongoing or not has to be questioned given the lack of skill of many of the sporting organisations.

There are two sporting fraternities that have their house in order, athletics under the National Association of Athletics Administrators (NAAA) and its president Ephraim Serrette and netball under the Netball Association and its president Dr Patricia Butcher.

It is no surprise that these sporting organisations are working, given the professionalism of their presidents.

Somebody needs to care about sports again in 2015, as 2014 was not a good year for sports, with too much scandals and problems claims of irregularities.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #79 on: December 17, 2014, 06:51:31 AM »
Ministry orders review of SPORTT audit
By ANDRE BAGOO (Newsday).


MINISTER of Communications Vasant Bharath yesterday described findings of a special audit by the Office of the Auditor General into the operations of the Sports Company (SPoRTT) as “alarming”, as Minister of Finance Larry Howai announced a ministerial review of the report’s findings.

In a statement to Newsday, Bharath who also serves as a Minister in the Ministry of Finance said, “The Ministry of Sport has stated that many of the findings relate to issues that occurred pre- 2010. Alarming as they are, the Report of the findings needs to be fully investigated as the Minister has committed to do.”

Speaking with reporters during a break in yesterday’s sitting of the Senate, Howai said the Permanent Secretary and a director at the Ministry of Finance and the Economy are among several officials whom he will ask to review the findings of the Auditor General’s Report, which was tabled in the Senate last Tuesday.

In relation to the Ministry of Finance and the Economy the Report states Sportt failed to report several litigation matters it became embroiled in after a cull of staff in 2011. “Sportt is required to inform the Ministry of Finance of all litigation proceedings on a quarterly basis, in accordance with the State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual,” the Report, dated November 28, states.

“Sportt informed the Ministry of Finance of all litigation proceedings only from April 2014. Prior to April 2014, Sportt failed to comply with the litigation requirements of the State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual.”

Of the litigation matters the Report further states, “Sportt’s dismissal of staff resulted in litigation that is on-going. Sportt has paid compensation in excess of $2.5 million for nine settled cases and, in financial year 2014, has provided a further $4 million to cover future costs. Whilst the cost for legal representation in one of the settled cases was over $137,000, Sportt has not established accurate costs for the remaining cases.” Howai said none of these matters reached the Ministry of Finance and his review will seek to ascertain what transpired.

“Those never came to us,” the Minister told reporters at the Sir Ellis Clarke Hall of the Parliament. “We were not aware of all the details as I understand it. These things happened sometime ago and I am now in the process of trying to find out what the details are...and how we would want to deal with it. Most of the people would have changed out since that time.”

Howai said the review process will involve ministry officials drawing up recommendations after their own meetings and queries with officials at the Ministry of Sport and Sportt.

“It will probably take some while,” he said.

The Auditor General found hundreds of millions being paid for sporting facilities which are still incomplete; escalating costs; unjustified expenses for high-capital projects; wasted millions on recreation grounds; duplication and a history of expensive litigation relating to staff. In relation to costs, the Auditor General’s special report examined three national facilities in cycling, swimming and tennis. The cost for these facilities moved from $120 million in 2007 to $677 million in 2013, an increase of $557 million.

The Auditor General remarked, “The slow rate of progress, in all instances, has significantly increased estimated costs.” The Report further stated, “Our overall conclusion is that Sportt is not giving sufficient attention to financial planning and risk management in the development and implementation of important projects, which has impacted the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of sporting facilities.”

In relation to cost escalations, Howai said, “With respect to the building, the thing is that one of the challenges we face is trying to determine the timing of construction of things, for example the overpass was built a few years ago.

If we had built that in 1981, presumably it would have been significantly less than the cost of building it now. I think that one of the things we have to consider is while we want to be careful about our debt load and how much we take on, the more we defer projects the longer it takes and the more costly they become.”

On the overall question of Sportt’s efficiency the Minister of Finance said there were some issues such as changes in design briefs for projects. On Monday Minister of Sport Dr Rupert Griffith convened a meeting of ministry and company officials to discuss the report, the first of several meetings planned.

“The report is a serious report, one which we need to take note of,” the minister said.

“Certain recommendations that were made we are going to consider them. Another meeting is planned to allow us to drill down further into the report.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #80 on: December 20, 2014, 07:13:18 AM »
Chinese delegation tours sport facilities
T&T Express Reports.

 
 The General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China paid a courtesy call on Sport Minister Dr Rupert Griffith, Minister of Sport, and his Executive team from the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago. A part of this visit also includes a tour of the following mega sporting facilities which are being constructed by SporTT, namely the National Aquatic Centre, National Cycle Centre and National Tennis Centre.

The delegation, headed by Jin Hua Sheng, General Director, Human Resources Development Centre, General Administration of Sport, are here in Trinidad on an exchange visit to discuss bilateral exchanges and cooperation in sport and other areas.

The Ministry of Sport will participate in an exchange and cooperation programme with the People’s Republic of China, to strengthen collaboration in sporting excellence, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Sport and the General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China.

This (MOU) was signed in China, in February 2014. The objective of this initiative is to raise the standard of performance of Athletes, while maximising Athlete and Coach Development Programmes in specific sporting disciplines. It is also anticipated that through this MOU, there will be increased opportunities to more nationals, as the Ministry strives to promote ‘Sport for All’.

In this regard, the Ministry of Sport will recruit 24 Chinese coaches in the first quarter of 2015 in exchange for 24 scholarships offered by the People’s Republic of China in the area of Sports Science.

These Coaches will be qualified in the area of development and high performance in the following disciplines: table tennis, archery, gymnastics (rhythmic), badminton, shooting, swimming, synchronised Swimming and diving.                               
Scholarships, student and athlete exchange programmes will also target the differently-abled for the specialised training of nationals in Sport for Development, Physical Education and Sport, Sport Science and Sport Medicine.

The Scholarship Allocation includes: Sport for Development (three scholarships), physical education and sport (five scholarships), sport science (six scholarships) and sport medicine (10 scholarships).

Some of the sub-speciality areas for the above-mentioned programmes are sport facility management, sport tourism, physical education and sports training, sport and exercise nutrition, biomechanics/performance analysis, sport and exercise science – physiology, sport and exercise medicine, rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy and applied sport psychology.

Minister Griffith indicated that “he was excited about the whole bilateral agreement and is happy that as a country, we have reached this stage.”

He further stated that he “has taken note of the amount of countries that the General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China have assisted and are convinced that the benefit will be great to Trinidad and Tobago in the whole collaborative effort.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Deeks

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #81 on: December 20, 2014, 07:44:44 AM »
sport facility management

This is so important for TT.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #82 on: December 20, 2014, 01:33:26 PM »
sport facility management

This is so important for TT.

Facility management in general. Here's a freebie: anyone investing in a power-washing business for high rise buildings would do well ... buh lehwe doh start that high ... they should head straight to 72-74 South Quay and start.

Might even be a useful component of community service.

Offline Flex

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #83 on: December 23, 2014, 05:12:05 AM »
Cricket chief backs SPORTT audit
By STEPHON NICHOLAS
Tuesday, December 23 2014


PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) Azim Bassarath has added his voice to the call recently made by Communications Minister Vasant Bharath for a ministerial review of the special audit into the Sports Company.

He did so in a fiery speech delivered at an end-of-year function of the Christian Conquerors Sports Club of Rio Claro on the weekend where he reiterated the need for action to be taken against the former board of SPORTT.

Bharath had described the findings of a special audit by the Office of the Auditor General into the operations of SPORTT as “alarming.” Finance Minister Larry Howai has since ordered a ministerial review of the report’s findings.

Bassarath said that while hundreds of millions of dollars were misspent by SPORTT, cricket has been the biggest loser as more than $23 million pledged to the national organisation over the past four years, has been withheld which has seriously affected the youth development programmes.

He called on Government to pay keen attention to the quality of individuals that are recommended for positions as it relates to sports, pointing out that local cricket is a major success story which has put T&T on the international map.

Bassarath said despite the tough challenges they face, the board has applied prudent financial strategies and forged valuable partnerships with corporate TT to ensure that the young people all over get a fair shot at maximising their potential on the cricket field.

Bassarath said he was happy that Minister Howai has ordered the review process which will involve ministry officials drawing up recommendations after their own meetings and queries with officials at the Ministry of Sport and SPORTT. He said the Auditor General found hundreds of millions being paid for sporting facilities which are still incomplete; escalating costs; unjustified expenses for high-capital projects; wasted millions on recreation grounds; duplication and a history of expensive litigation relating to staff.

In relation to costs, the Auditor General’s special report examined three national facilities in cycling, swimming and tennis. The cost for these facilities moved from $120 million in 2007 to $677 million in 2013, an increase of $557 million. Bassarath said that it was telling that the Auditor General’s overall conclusion is that SPORTT is not giving sufficient attention to financial planning and risk management in the development and implementation of important projects, which has impacted the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of sporting facilities.

Bassarath later gave his audience an update on his board’s recent meeting with Minister of Sport Rupert Griffith.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #84 on: January 26, 2015, 06:09:39 AM »
Achieving value for sporting facilities.
Anand Rampersad (Guardian).


​According to the National Sport Policy (2002), “Because of the known health, social and economic benefits which can be derived from participating in sport, it can be deemed as important as any other activity or field of endeavour to the total development of the individual and the society. Regular involvement in sport and physical activity are fundamental to good health and wellness at all stages of life. Sport provides an important environment for the education and socialization of all citizens as well as valuable opportunities for personal enjoyment, social contacts and integration.” .

Therefore, the availability of quality sporting facilities is critical for sport to contribute to the well-being of individuals, communities and the sporting community.

In recent years there has been the construction of football and athletics stadia, multi-sport indoor facilities, upgrades of recreational grounds, the renovation of pavilions, the installation of floodlights, the provision of recreational items such as swings, slides etc and the creation of paved walking and jogging pathways. In 2015, the national cycling centre, aquatic centre and tennis centre are to be added to the list of available facilities.

However, some of these facilities have become eyesores and are blatant examples of wastage of taxpayers’ monies. The Brian Lara Stadium is already nine (9) years late to its projected opening!! A third ICC World Cup (2007, 2011 and 2015) will be staged and the facility is still not yet ready!! Walker Park is in a dilapidated state.

It is common to see many sporting and recreational facilities unused whether day and or night by the general public. The challenge is getting the general public to use the facilities frequently and in great numbers. How can this be achieved? There may not be a one size fit all answer. For instance, urban lifestyles may be different from rural areas and as such the approach taken would have to be different.

Sport New Zealand has established a national Sporting Facilities Framework to get the best value from its sporting facilities. In England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have partnered with Sport England identifying five (5) areas toward creating a sporting habit for life as part of its youth sport strategy. These include: competitive sport in schools; improving links between schools and community sports clubs; working with the sport’s governing bodies focusing on youth; investing in facilities and working with communities and the voluntary sector.

In T&T, lessons can be learnt from the approaches undertaken in England and New Zealand. Firstly, there must be a strategic plan with an efficiently functioning management system. Such a system would include all the major stakeholders’ such as the Ministry of Sport, SPORTT, Ministries of Local Government, Community Development, Gender and Youth and Education; National Sporting Associations and community representatives. This integrative framework should provide critical information about various communities based on age, gender, religion, persons with physical disabilities, number of schools and usage of facilities and type of existing sporting activities.

Secondly, it has to be sociologically understood that the provision of sporting facilities will not automatically result in their use. And in some instances if the facilities are used it may not be for the intended purpose. This was the case during the NAR regime (1986-91) when basketball courts were laid in several communities. In central Trinidad many of the courts were used to play windball cricket or small goal. In other words it is important to have discussions with the communities. Not only is it important to listen to the voice of the people but it also empowers them in making decisions that will affect them.

Thirdly, the information would allow for effective planning and implementation. For instance, differentiating between new and existing users of sporting facilities is important.

The key is to expand the amount of new users. Furthermore, the various factors (religious, gender, age, disabilities etc) that influence directly or indirectly participation in physical activities will have to be determined.

Such an understanding will allow for developing new strategies from time to time to keep people actively involved. As such fun and enjoyment has to be an integral part of the marketing strategy of the various measures. Fourthly, from a monitoring perspective it is important that baseline data is updated with new data over time so as to measure trends such as dropout rates and when these take place. Furthermore, the data collected will help in assessing desired outcomes as well as determining the steps to be taken to improve all programmes.

Every effort should be made to ensure that the sporting facilities that are available are put to effective use to justify the economic and social expenditure.

A strategic approach offers greater possibilities of measured success than the hope that people will naturally use the sporting facilities if they are made available.


Artist impression of the new cycling velodrome to be located opposite the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. The facility, estimated to cost between $145-$200 million, will feature a wooden indoor 250m track as well as a concrete outdoor 250m track, and is scheduled to be completed within the next 18 months.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Swima

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #85 on: January 26, 2015, 06:36:23 AM »
The article is a great jumping off point for the sustainability discussions of these facilities. However, it was soured by the photo not matching the caption, again showing the Guardian's inability to get the details right on their sub-editing desk.

I have some ideas of my own as to how all those facilities can be sustained, and it has nothing to do with sport tourism, nor throwing shows. But I'll leave that for when the right questions are asked by the right people.
Success will never take you by surprise.

Offline Deeks

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #86 on: January 26, 2015, 03:47:51 PM »
This has to be  the natatorium, not the velodrome!

Offline MEP

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #87 on: January 26, 2015, 08:48:36 PM »
Whey Aneeeeeeel? dey find him yet?

Offline Football supporter

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #88 on: January 27, 2015, 02:47:58 PM »
Whey Aneeeeeeel? dey find him yet?

I think he may be somewhere in the Velodromes foundations!!

Seriously, the missing point here is not building the damn things, but maintaining them. What's the point of investing 100's of millions if they can't be used after 10 years?

Larry Gomes still has no working lights, Mannie Ramjohn still can't be used at night, Ato Boldon car park is like a BMX track. TTFA offices get flooded when there's a fete at Hasely Crawford.  ::)

Offline Deeks

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Re: SPoRTT Thread.
« Reply #89 on: January 27, 2015, 04:33:33 PM »
Larry Gomes still has no working lights, Mannie Ramjohn still can't be used at night

They indirectly they tell footballers and TF, haul allyuh arse!
« Last Edit: January 28, 2015, 08:41:12 AM by Deeks »

 

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