Sports Ministry: T&TFF yet to account

[E-man]

Sports Ministry: T&TFF yet to account
By: Kern De Freitas (Trinidad Express).

Show us the books.

That is the latest response to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs after being accused of neglecting to contribute financially to the national football team.

Last week, in an interview with CCN TV6, T&TFF special adviser Warner slammed Sports Minister Gary Hunt for his lack of assistance for the national squad.

"A man who has not given the Federation a single cent for the year, who has not paid a single bill, who has not paid for his team to go overseas to an international event, who has not paid (coach Francisco) Maturana a cent, who has not paid the technical staff, and look he's telling us open the gates, he's giving us (the stadium) free," Warner said, describing Hunt's statement as one that is "foolish" and "defies logic".

The Ministry's response came in the form of a statement during a media conference on Monday at their Abercromby Street, Port of Spain headquarters, read by public relations officer III Arlene Gorin-George in Hunt's absence.

The Minister was said to be in a Cabinet meeting at the time.

The statement revealed that the T&T Football Federation were yet to submit to the Ministry a report accounting for "Government funding released to the Federation totaling over $12 million for payment of salaries from August to December 2007", a requirement for all sporting organisations that receive funding from the Sports Company of T&T (SPORTT).

The Ministry added that they were also yet to receive the T&TFF's financial accounts for the years 2006 and 2007, including "projections for 2008 in respect to salaries", as well as "the current contracts and terms and conditions of the technical staff".

Last week, the Ministry also invited the T&TFF to talks to resolve the issue of the various local venues.

"We received by fax this morning a letter from Mr Warner declining our invitation to meet citing previous commitments. We immediately responded by again inviting the T&TFF to meet on Wednesday June 18."

The Ministry pointed out that they had made several attempts to work out an arrangement with the T&TFF over the use of local grounds for international matches.

"The T&TFF refused our offer to use the National Stadium free of charge, indicating that gate receipts cover but a fraction of the cost of hosting a World Cup qualifier. However, it is our understanding that for official FIFA matches, the cost of travel and accommodation is stood by FIFA through CONCACAF," said the statement.

"...It is apparent that the T&TFF in choosing to use the Marvin Lee Stadium, with its artificial turf and limited seating capacity, effectively disenfranchised thousands of citizens from attending the T&T vs Bermuda match held yesterday (Sunday)," which ended in a shocking 2-1 defeat for Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

[Bitter]

And so it goes...

No Accounts = No More Money.
This is as it should be. Speculation about the financial and other interactions of the TTFF, FIFA and CONCACAF shouldn't really come into play.

The MOS should keep it simple.
Explain the rules, show how they apply to other sporting organizations and show where you are not receiving the cooperation of the TTFF.

[elan]

Sports Ministry: T&TFF yet to account
By: Kern De Freitas (Trinidad Express).

Show us the books.

That is the latest response to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs after being accused of neglecting to contribute financially to the national football team.

Last week, in an interview with CCN TV6, T&TFF special adviser Warner slammed Sports Minister Gary Hunt for his lack of assistance for the national squad.

"A man who has not given the Federation a single cent for the year, who has not paid a single bill, who has not paid for his team to go overseas to an international event, who has not paid (coach Francisco) Maturana a cent, who has not paid the technical staff, and look he's telling us open the gates, he's giving us (the stadium) free," Warner said, describing Hunt's statement as one that is "foolish" and "defies logic".

The Ministry's response came in the form of a statement during a media conference on Monday at their Abercromby Street, Port of Spain headquarters, read by public relations officer III Arlene Gorin-George in Hunt's absence.

The Minister was said to be in a Cabinet meeting at the time.

The statement revealed that the T&T Football Federation were yet to submit to the Ministry a report accounting for "Government funding released to the Federation totaling over $12 million for payment of salaries from August to December 2007", a requirement for all sporting organisations that receive funding from the Sports Company of T&T (SPORTT).

The Ministry added that they were also yet to receive the T&TFF's financial accounts for the years 2006 and 2007, including "projections for 2008 in respect to salaries", as well as "the current contracts and terms and conditions of the technical staff".

Last week, the Ministry also invited the T&TFF to talks to resolve the issue of the various local venues.

"We received by fax this morning a letter from Mr Warner declining our invitation to meet citing previous commitments. We immediately responded by again inviting the T&TFF to meet on Wednesday June 18."

The Ministry pointed out that they had made several attempts to work out an arrangement with the T&TFF over the use of local grounds for international matches.

"The T&TFF refused our offer to use the National Stadium free of charge, indicating that gate receipts cover but a fraction of the cost of hosting a World Cup qualifier. However, it is our understanding that for official FIFA matches, the cost of travel and accommodation is stood by FIFA through CONCACAF," said the statement.
"...It is apparent that the T&TFF in choosing to use the Marvin Lee Stadium, with its artificial turf and limited seating capacity, effectively disenfranchised thousands of citizens from attending the T&T vs Bermuda match held yesterday (Sunday)," which ended in a shocking 2-1 defeat for Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Is this true?

[elan]

Warner calls for transparency in election spending

Juhel Browne jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com


Wednesday, June 18th 2008
 
 
 United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) financier Jack Warner says anyone who contributes more than $1,000 to any political party should be registered on an official list, as the nation prepares for the upcoming Local Government elections.

"Let us be transparent," Warner said.

He did so on Monday in response to the a report by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) on the November 5, 2007, General Election in which it questioned the "source of the extravagant campaign financing" given the unprecedented amount of political advertisements and the small amount of money legally prescribed to candidates for election expenses.

There are no laws presently that require any political party to disclose exactly who has contributed funds to their election campaigns and the issue of campaign funding had been raised during the last general elections.

"Anything above $1000 should be registered. We don't have to reinvent the system. We have similar law in more advanced countries," Warner said.

Section 48 of the Representation of the People Act states that no sum shall be paid and no expenses "in excess" of $50,000" shall be incurred by a candidate at an election or by his election agent" before, during or after an election regarding the conduct or management of a Parliamentary election.

In the case of a candidate for a municipal council (Local Government) elections, the maximum limit for election expenses is $25,000.

Warner, the Opposition Chaguanas West MP, said the existing legal limit for election expenses needs to be much, much higher and suggested a maximum limit of $250,000.

"The limit which they have on election expenses is ridiculous in the extreme. It is foolish in an age with the technological advances which we have and their expenses. It encourages candidates to either lie or to find innovative ways and means to beat the system," Warner said.

He is calling on the Government to review the existing legislation that deals with election expenses and also bring new legislation to properly address the issue of campaign financing.

During a post-Cabinet news conference on August 23, 2007, then Minister in the Finance Ministry Christine Sahadeo had said the Government would be looking at campaign finance laws "in the near future" but it was not something that was before the Cabinet at that time.
 



I know this is not football, but this man eh easy.

[redtrinigirl]

And so it goes...

No Accounts = No More Money.
This is as it should be. Speculation about the financial and other interactions of the TTFF, FIFA and CONCACAF shouldn't really come into play.

The MOS should keep it simple.
Explain the rules, show how they apply to other sporting organizations and show where you are not receiving the cooperation of the TTFF.

Correct.

[weary1969]

D Pro League CEO was on Andre programme and explain d whole story bout cabinet note, cabinet minute and d process and dey does get dey money it may take long 2 come but it does come. No other dporting body does complain in fact SPORTT was created 2 reduce d pressue wit d MOS but still 1 man sayin he cyah get money boo hoo d big bad Hunt eh what give we no money

[Jah Gol]

I don't know how so many people actually believe Warner. Right now he still have Hunt looking like a villain.

[Babalawo]

And so it goes...

No Accounts = No More Money.
This is as it should be. Speculation about the financial and other interactions of the TTFF, FIFA and CONCACAF shouldn't really come into play.

The MOS should keep it simple.
Explain the rules, show how they apply to other sporting organizations and show where you are not receiving the cooperation of the TTFF.

Plain and simple eh. Even a 5 year old would understand that

[Deeks]

Keep the pressure right dey Mr. Hunt.

[dreamer]

Deeks yuh on de ball.
The real issue beginning to surface now. Accountability!.  Lovely.

Whey de blasted money went Jackula?    Show us wha yuh doin' wit' it Mr Jackula.
....and shut yuh stinkin' mout' until you show us that YOU, YES YOU!!!, have yuh house in order, as only de mos' blind of us eh realize that you are corrupted beyond de level of Papa and Baby doc.

You are a disgrace to this country..... and planet.

[weary1969]

All yuh remember when dey submit d expenditure 4 d WC and include d dutch coach fees all though he was replaced by Anton. Imagine Boynes was able 2 find dat. Not 2 mention d German Chancellor eh take d withold tax but Jack deduct it all in he maths 2 make up d 5000TT

Keep at it Hunt doh blink