Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on February 23, 2015, 05:03:21 PM
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Minister Sancho scores with SWO.
By Inshan Mohammed.
Leading from the forefront.
Newly appointed Minister of Sport and former Soca Warriors defender, Senator Brent Sancho has aspirations of making a positive change in this Country’s sporting industry and at the same time bringing some professionalism and pride back to a ministry that many consider corrupt.
It's the first time in T&T's history that a national footballer is holding such a prestigious government position. Although Sancho may have gotten some stick for aligning himself with a government embroiled in controversy, it was welcoming news for many that a prominent footballer now has a chance at making a positive change to T&T football and sports on the whole.
The Belmont born, former Trinity College and St. Johns University student, will celebrate his 38th birthday while in the hot-seat on March 13th. The once tough tackling defender has had a well-decorated career as a footballer. He has played for his country's junior teams before graduating to the seniors where he racked up 42 international caps. These caps could have been greater in number if it wasn’t for Sancho being blacklisted by the former TTFF; which was spare-headed by disgraced football don Jack Warner and his sidekick, Oliver Camps.
Even at the beginning of his career Sancho face major adversity, as he had to battle former T&T coach Bertille St Clair to be selected for national team duty. The hard-nose defender possessed all the ingredients for the game, but his hairstyle was a major point of contention for St Clair. The Tobago-born head coach viewed long hairstyles as a hindrance in football and England's Peter Crouch may have proven that he had a valid point. (laugh).
Sancho’s performance at his club Portland Timbers and his determination to play for his country eventually forced St Clair's hand and he made his T&T debut on March 2000. Along with his international accomplishment, Sancho has also played for over 14 professional clubs throughout the world.
Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPoRTT) and the Minister of Sport has had a bit of controversy in the past dating back to 2009 when the then Sport Minister Gary Hunt purchased a 2 million dollar giant T&T flag. Mind you, our very own Warrior Nation fan club got its flag for a mere fraction of that cost and it’s 3 times the size of Hunt's.
The move turned out to be Hunt's retirement ticket and he was subsequently replaced by the unscrupulous Anil Roberts, a one time Jack Warner enemy turned friend. At the time Warner himself was part of the T&T government and had found favor with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Roberts, however, really stole the show as he ran a corrupted and unsupervised LifeSport programme where millions of tax payers’ dollars were unaccounted for. As a result, the former Minister was forced to resign his post amidst corruption allegations and was replaced by Dr. Rupert Griffith, a Science and Technology Minister. As the interim Minister of Sport, Griffith did not make any significant changes and 6 months into the job he gladly made way for Sancho's appointment.
Sancho subsequently became the third sports minister under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's leadership.
The newly appointed minister is known for his professionalism and determination to get the job done. He has however had to overcome many challenges on and off the field as a T&T national and even at club level.
He's had to battle Gillingham's chairman Paul Scally for undermining him when Sancho choose country over club during the 2006 World Cup build-up.
He also led the 2006 Soca Warriors to battle the untouchable Jack Warner for promised World Cup bonuses.
Also in 2003 the articulate, Sancho along with former T&T teammates; Travais Mulraine, longtime pal Kelvin Jack and Gary Glasgow assumed the role of spokesmen for 19 national footballers fighting for better playing conditions. The players eventually withheld their services and went on strike.
Still Sancho and the striking footballers remain uninhibited and determined to form a Football Players’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT). The players’ union was formed to safeguard the right to compensation for services rendered and also to secure proper working conditions for present and future national footballers.
In the end, FPATT never took off and no particular reason was given. Sources however, did mention it fell apart mainly because local players were unsure about the Union and were scared of being blacklisted by the then TTFF Adviser Jack Warner.
Today, Sancho's main aim is to stabilize the Sport Ministry in the potentially limited time he has to make a difference. As T&T's general election is months away, it’s likely that the unpopular current government will lose, and Sancho could make way for a new minister.
Sancho, a longtime supporter of the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) was all too pleased to touch base with us. Read Sancho's first SWO interview since his M.o.S. appointment.
Mr. Sancho, on behalf of the SWO, I would like to say congratulations on your new position and good luck to you in the hot-seat.
MoS: - Thank you on your kind sentiments. Whatever I do, I maintain a high level of professionalism and this I will bring to the position. With respect to the comment on "time", I am aware that the period for being Minister of Sports will be short due to the upcoming elections, therefore I will not be pursuing any huge projects. However, I will be influencing improvements in ongoing projects as well as to make tangible inputs into upcoming policy decisions. My goal is to make a positive impact on the Ministry so that whoever takes over my portfolio will have streamlined procedures, structured policies and motivated staff.
1. What are your plans for T&T Football, our local leagues and the SSFL from an overall standpoint?
a) The TTFA has been having a hard time paying off millions in debts which has been "one" of the main factors in them not being run effectively. Off course, there are other matters that I personally feel they can improve on.
b) The local league is somewhat stagnant and does little to develop young players and market its brand.
c) The Secondary School Football League is essential as its the oldest and most supported league in T&T. It however affects the development of young players, because there isn’t an age cap for older players.
MoS: - Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago would like to see improvement in men and women football, whether it is grass roots development, school football, professional or semi-professional, international, and the ably-challenged. To date, I have met with several National Sporting Organizations and made my message very clear: the Ministry is not a charity or a cash dispenser. The criteria for being granted funding are: 1. All transactions must be transparent and there must be accountability for the funds provided. 2. I want value for taxpayers’ money. I want to know "What's in it for the T&T citizen?" ie coaches supporting the various programmes; our youth being welcomed at events; I want to see development of our young talent. 3. Organizations must be able to show that they are attempting to become financially independent thereby weaning themselves away from government support. This will involve showing how they are engaging the corporate sector in assisting in their programmes and how they are developing income streams for themselves. Besides providing funding, the Ministry can provide assistance with their audits and accounting.
I will be convening a symposium with major corporations to promote the value of investing in sport and will be encouraging the various bodies to become involved in future facilities so that they can generate income and control their own destiny.
TTFA has gained financial support to build their own training facilities which is how I wish other organizations to emulate. There will be very little input from the Ministry, but I will be working closely with the TTFA to ensure that the benefits derived will include the community.
I have met with TT Pro League and despite my offers to assist them in meeting the requirements to achieve funding, Larry Romany - Chairman, assured me that they have their affairs in order and will be able to provide the relevant requirements by mid-March. Mr Romany advised that their only barrier to financial self-sufficiency was the lack of community grounds which I will be looking into. In fact, one of the projects that I inherited is North East Stars obtaining access to a football specific facility in Sangre Grande before the end of 2015. I want to see this fast tracked and to be used as a template for similar facilities around the country.
I cannot comment too much about SSFL and its role within football - that is a question for the TTFA.
I am encouraging all organizations to put aside internal politics and to bring all the stakeholders under their umbrella to develop their respective sports. I have seen too many different entities within a sporting discipline working unilaterally. This "splintering" is an ineffective use of resources and talent. Most sports require teamwork, even if the team consisted of an athlete, coach and administrator. There is no "I" in TEAM.
2. Guys like TTOC president Brian Lewis, TT Pro League Chairman Larry Romany, TT Pro League Dexter Skeene (etc) to name a few have been involved in T&T Olympic and Football League for quite sometime. Will we see a new law that prohibits one from serving over two, maybe three terms as head of an association. Or can individuals be properly and honestly evaluated at a point in their careers if they are to serve over a proposed term?
MoS: - If a person is right for the job, I see no reason why they can't work in more than one discipline, providing they are effective and efficient. However, I am not particularly fond of "professional board members" who attain positions, yet contribute little. I also am not happy about people who contribute little to the sport, either financially, emotionally, or don't have the potential to impact the sport. In my view, a chairman or president is similar to a referee. He observes, listens and enforces the regulations, but he should not influence the players’ ability to make their own decisions. I note your point about long serving officers, and again, providing that a fair, democratic process has kept them in place, I have no issue.
3. There are so many Stadiums and community fields in T&T and yet our athletes suffer when it comes to gaining access to it particularly around Carnival time, especially the local league who has had to cancel games or make last minute fixture change because unavailable venues. Will we see something done to fix this? I also find it very upsetting that teams have to play at the controversial Marvin Lee Stadium which is owned by the infamous former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
MoS: - I was one of many, who complained about using the stadiums for fetes especially when it affected fixtures. However, now that I am privy to the mindset of SPORTT I can see the rationale. The stadiums are provided free of charge to the Pro League, but renting the stadiums for commercial use is good financial policy. If I want to make a case for a particular budget, it's important that I can argue that the Ministry is an income contributor. In fact, I use this point when explaining to the sporting bodies why they must give me value for money. My goal is to better utilize the country's stadiums to generate income, thus making a case for their regeneration and maintenance. Meanwhile, it is essential to get the Pro League out of the stadiums into their own income generating facilities that will allow fixtures to be met in a public private partnership format. I see this as a way forward in relieving the Ministry of some expenses, create some income and giving the clubs the ability to control their own futures.
4. The local league needs a home field. Where it’s strictly for league games. Is there any possibility the League can be provided a stadium? For example, can the Ato Boldon Stadium, which is centrally located, be leased out to the league at a relatively low price for 20/30 years? This will allow the League to have a reliable full time calendar and it would also be responsible for maintaining it.
MoS: - As you will see from my answer above, I have a different perspective. Our stadiums are too big for the crowds attending games. There is need for more intimate, compact, football specific venues where camera points can be effective. There should be no running tracks separating supporters from the football action.
Stadiums can be utilized for other sports. I'm sure athletes get frustrated when they cannot train in the stadiums due to football activities!
5. Will we see some changes in the law, for example;
a) Allowing foreigners of Trinbagonian grand-parentage eligibility to represent T&T in sport?
b) Giving companies a tax break if they sponsor local sports?
MoS: - I'm not sure that I can change laws on my own!! But I take your point. I would prefer to focus on developing our homegrown talent, which I believe is greatly untapped at the moment. Companies do get tax breaks, but the procedures are not attractive at the moment. For example, if I'm a Brand Manager with a budget of $1 million in 2015, it doesn't interest me that my company will get a tax rebate in 2016.
This is why I will be meeting with corporate leaders to encourage methods of sponsorship. For example, if we build facilities as mentioned above, would they pay naming rights? Would they lease corporate boxes? Would they install for example, KFC's, TGI's, Digicel outlets? Would drinks companies pay for exclusive pouring rights? We need to bring business into sport to create income for the stakeholders and to reduce the dependency on the Ministry of Sports. Remember that our whole economy depends on energy prices, so we must develop income streams outside of the government, which will include sports tourism, which, I predict, will greatly increase in T&T over the next few years.
6. Our past ministers have wasted millions on sporting facilities like the controversial Brian Lara Stadium and corrupted programs like LifeSport, among many others projects. Not to mention they spend millions of tax payers’ dollars fixing the stadiums and then allowing them to be used to host fetes. In return the fields are damaged and the government have to spend millions more for repairs. Will we see changes in the way the ministry in run in the near future?
MoS: - I too am disappointed with some of the items you have listed above. In some cases, the situations have developed through lack of understanding of what exactly is needed. For example, you cannot use the same designs for a football stand as a cricket stand. Changing rooms for cricket teams need to be designed differently than football teams. Also, we try to accommodate all sports in one venue and fit square pegs in round holes. Often, this is due to budget restrictions. I intend to include athletes at the design stage. We have international athletes, who have visited the best stadiums worldwide. They will know what athletes require. If we want to attract overseas athletes, we must provide top class facilities. They don't need to be in mega stadiums or billion dollar projects, just sport specific venues. How could we ask Blackburn Rovers to visit and shower under a standpipe?
7. Now that you are in a ministerial position, will we see a renewed court battle to go after Jack Warner to recover the millions that were stolen from T&T football. Can you also touch on the Marvin Lee Stadium situation? Many would like to know who owns it, how was money accumulated to purchase it, who owns the land and why are games still be played there? Doesn’t the ban FIFA imposed on Jack Warner prohibit him or anything he owns to be associated with football?
MoS: - I cannot shed much light on these points at the moment. Certainly, the players involved in the court case made a commitment to carry on the search for missing funds. I, personally, have to step away from that fight now, but that still leaves 12 players to continue. The use of Marvin Lee, at a cost, is a necessity at times, especially when the Pro League can't use the free stadium facilities.
8. You were accused by Jack Warner of working for SIS and being a man of many caps, can you touched on this? Also, who will be part of the staff you plan on hiring to help you succeed in your term as Minster of Sports.
MoS: - I certainly am a man of many caps....over 40 for the senior national team! I would like to set the record straight on the statement made, that I worked for S.I.S.. Central F.C.'s first sponsor was S.I.S. and they have contributed generously to professional football in T&T. They were interested from the beginning in investing in the community and they felt that Central F.C. was a good conduit. I will say that once the club developed, they also caught the football bug.
Banker's Insurance Group are now their major sponsor, but there are other sponsors who assist the club, for example, Phoenix Park Gas Processors funded last season's women's programme including Treat Her Like A Lady and the All Female Football Camp. Clearly I have had to step back from Central F.C. and the other members of the board are now making decisions. With such a short period of time ahead of me, I am blessed with many good sporting contacts worldwide.
9. SWO heard a rumor that you gave the TTFA an ultimatum, that in order to get all funding requests, they must hire your colleagues Terry Fenwick and Kevin Harrision. Can you elaborate on this?
MoS: - I have not had that discussion with the TTFA and Kevin is my personal advisor. He works for me not the Ministry.
Flex, thank you for the opportunity to share some of my thoughts with the forum. For many years, you guys have pleaded for sports people to get involved in administration, so now that I'm here, I hope you'll support me and, like in Germany, if I score an occasional own goal, allow me another game to put it right!
Copyrights of the Soca Warriors Online - Any press using the following article written by Inshan Mohammed are welcome to do so providing they reveal the source and writer. Furthermore, no portion of this article may be copied without proper credit as well.
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I see a man get kill for scoring an own goal in World Cup
But we from sweet TNT so we giving big work instead.
Good luck sancho make it better than where u meet it
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Good stuff Brent, you sound like you rolled up your sleeves and have started working....no hype, just work!
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Boss interview, Flex at his best.
Sancho, yuh sounding real.
Good luck youth, mash them up and make yuh mark.
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Serious business. Good stuff Flex and Sancho.
Community grounds, intimate environments, camera angles, transparency, accountability, corporate incentives, pursuing lost funds and suspected plans to infiltrate the TTFA & eventually take it over. Throw Uncle Tim over the bus & possibly keep Shell-done if he cooperates.
Music to my ears. Yours too Horner?
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Enjoy your 8 months Sancho and save your money because you will be out like the rest.
And we are thinking hard about closing the Marvin Lee Stadium and making it into a sport hotel. So you and your league better look for alternatives soon, nothing is confirm as yet.
And Flex, what you mean by who owns the Marvin Lee? I will gladly since you a copy of the deed.
Sancho will bring Kelvin Jack and Fenwick soon to join him.
How can Kevin Harrision be part of T&T cabinet and he is not even a T&T citizen?
All you need is a English accent in T&T to get a job. You go to England with your Trini accent and they want to bash you in and deport you, here we worship them.
I will say this and please remember my prediction, after Sancho's short term I would be able to count on one hand with no fingers how much he has accomplished.
I spoke to one of the contractors at the Brian Lara Recreation Ground last week and they were laughing at Sancho, pulling up in his suit giving orders and dont know half of whats going on.
Sancho, you are working for a snake, but I know you are hungry and need to eat ah food, they fire my good friend Anil Roberts but Ashwin Creed is still there.
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Wha happen like FS done posting? He done nuff campaigning in here - now he get big wuck he eh have time lol.
Ah wonder how many times Jack "mudda " he lol
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Despite the central location of the Ato Boldon Stadium, it is probably the worst one for football fans. That's because it is the most difficult one to get to by public transport.
Attendances there always suffer as a result. Always.
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Despite the central location of the Ato Boldon Stadium, it is probably the worst one for football fans. That's because it is the most difficult one to get to by public transport.
Attendances there always suffer as a result. Always.
Maybe Flex should have asked that question also.
Good point SWF Reporter, Sancho should look into this?
Eventually all these field (Ato, Manny etc) will become community fields as T&T population is expanding. So no need to build new ones, just fix the current ones, it will be cheaper and better.
But all fields should have public transportation access, thats a no brainer.
Sancho is right, the track around the field is terrible.
Good interview anyway.
And good luck to Brent.
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Despite the central location of the Ato Boldon Stadium, it is probably the worst one for football fans. That's because it is the most difficult one to get to by public transport.
Attendances there always suffer as a result. Always.
- it aint all that bad to get to AB Stadium by "public" transit
- if you take a north-south ptsc bus, it makes a stop at the preysal flyover (solomon hochoy hi-way) $4
- from there it is a 5-10 min walk to the stadium or a 2 min ride by taxi or the nuff ph on that route - $2
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So why de clubs doh offer free buss service to season holders?
Sancho, you working alongside men who can change de law as far as naturalize foreign born T&T citizens (grand kids), make it happen.
Sancho, yuh talking tata, we do not have a youth system to produce young players and we will never have one, and de few good ones we get they all go aboard anyway.
You is a minister now, and Kamla like yuh, enforce de bigger tax break rule to, you have a chance to make a difference, do it.
PS: FS, diss we, he get big wok now.
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Despite the central location of the Ato Boldon Stadium, it is probably the worst one for football fans. That's because it is the most difficult one to get to by public transport.
Attendances there always suffer as a result. Always.
Rapid Rail will take care of that in the future.
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So why de clubs doh offer free buss service to season holders?
Sancho, you working alongside men who can change de law as far as naturalize foreign born T&T citizens (grand kids), make it happen.
Sancho, yuh talking tata, we do not have a youth system to produce young players and we will never have one, and de few good ones we get they all go aboard anyway.
You is a minister now, and Kamla like yuh, enforce de bigger tax break rule to, you have a chance to make a difference, do it.
PS: FS, diss we, he get big wok now.
FS, diss we, he get big wok now. So says the man who was offered the first interview with the Minister of Sport and declined!!! (Mind you, given a choice out of interviewing a politician and shagging a local girl, I can't really blame him lol)
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We miss yuh on de forum.
;)
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Flex, you asked the question about Skeene, Lewis and Romany, but Sancho is no difference.
Skeene, Romany and Lewis is a waste but yet they are here for over a decade now and Sancho saying that they deserve to be here if they are doing a good job, are they?
How many places Sancho works now, SIS, MoS, Central FC, etc etc, he is really good?
He can juggle like Latapy and defend like Sancho
;)
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There is no constitutional reason why a new government should not reappoint Sancho as MOS if he is doing the job right. But our problem is that every thing is about political parties and not efficiency.
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Flex, you asked the question about Skeene, Lewis and Romany, but Sancho is no difference.
Skeene, Romany and Lewis is a waste but yet they are here for over a decade now and Sancho saying that they deserve to be here if they are doing a good job, are they?
How many places Sancho works now, SIS, MoS, Central FC, etc etc, he is really good?
He can juggle like Latapy and defend like Sancho
;)
I don't think Sancho is saying that they deserve to be there. But he cannot remove these people as they are elected within the rules of their organisation.
Obviously, you've missed the other comments, but Sancho has NEVER worked for SIS! However, he was CEO at North East Stars
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Central FC’s co-owner now minister’s adviser
By Gail Alexander (T&T Guardian)
British citizen Kevin Harrison who co-owned (SIS) Central FC football club with Sport Minister Brent Sancho is now Sancho’s adviser.
This was confirmed by the ministry and Harrison yesterday.
Sancho was appointed on February 2 to replace Rupert Griffith. The latter replaced former minister Anil Roberts, who resigned last year amid the Life Sport furore and corruption allegations concerning that programme. It is under probe by police, the Integrity Commission and other authorities.
Central Football Club, “The Sharks”, is a T&T professional football club.
It was founded in 2012 by Sancho and is based in California, Couva. It plays in the TT Pro League.
After the club’s first season, it built a reputation in bringing football in community events, having completed over 12 projects and had reportedly struggled over the years.
In September 2013 the club received sponsorship from Couva-based Super Industrial Services (SIS)
Harrison joined the team in 2013 as operations director. After Sancho was appointed, Harrison was reported to have taken over as managing director of CFC since Sancho, as minister, had to separate himself from the club.
He was quoted in news reports that the changes would not negatively affect the club and that Sancho would not be involved in the club.
At that time Harrison was quoted as saying while it was a good move for Sancho “politically, it was not the best time to take the position with all the controversy that’s going on.”
He said yesterday the ministry had an allocation for the post of adviser and secretary.
He said the secretary was under contract and he also had a short-term—about three months—contract and was “just a civilian paid by the ministry” but gets no public service benefits like gratuities or such. He said the contract may be extended depending on when the general election was held and Parliament dissolves.
Harrison said he remained CFC’s operations manager and was also continuing the managing director duties. He said he would be able to manage all portfolios since the ministry stint was short term.
He said he would steer clear of any situation where conflict of interest could arise and would recuse himself or step away if confronted with that.
Harrison said he understood fully there could not be one rule for some people and another rule for others and that the only way the situation might be abused was if CFC got more than others.
He said that would not occur. “All clubs would be treated alike and no preferential treatment would be given,” he added.
Harrison said CFC, which qualified for the Carib Cup Championships on Wednesday night, had applied to the ministry for assistance since last October, well before Sancho was appointed minister. Efforts to contact Sancho yesterday were futile.
Formerly from the UK, Harrison, 52, lives in central Trinidad. His business career includes real estate and giving financial advice to footballers from several leagues.
After the 2006 World Cup, he was reportedly approached by Sancho, Kelvin Jack and Ian Cox, who asked for his help with a dispute over bonus payments to the squad.
After visiting the region to deal with legal action, he reportedly declined a TT Pro League offer but later helped negotiate a sponsorship arrangement between DirecTV and North East Stars FC, where Sancho was CEO and subsequently both established CFC.
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He said yesterday the ministry had an allocation for the post of adviser and secretary.
But wait... I thought I read elsewhere that he was being paid by Sancho personally... and not the ministry?
Minister Sancho scores with SWO.
By Inshan Mohammed.
MoS: - I have not had that discussion with the TTFA and Kevin is my personal advisor. He works for me not the Ministry.
So he doesn't work for the Ministry... but is being paid by the Ministry (his own words) from a Ministry allocation? Power corrupts.
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He said yesterday the ministry had an allocation for the post of adviser and secretary.
But wait... I thought I read elsewhere that he was being paid by Sancho personally... and not the ministry?
Minister Sancho scores with SWO.
By Inshan Mohammed.
MoS: - I have not had that discussion with the TTFA and Kevin is my personal advisor. He works for me not the Ministry.
So he doesn't work for the Ministry... but is being paid by the Ministry (his own words) from a Ministry allocation? Power corrupts.
Bakes, you're seeing ghosts that don't exist.
Every Govt Minister is allowed to employ a personal adviser on a contract basis on a stipulated package . The adviser is not a civil servant. He/she does not advise the Ministry, they advise the Minister. He/she is paid by the Ministry but does not receive a civil service pension etc.
I believe that this process is the same in USA and UK (except the title may be Political Adviser?)
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Central FC’s co-owner now minister’s adviser
By Gail Alexander (T&T Guardian)
British citizen Kevin Harrison who co-owned (SIS) Central FC football club with Sport Minister Brent Sancho is now Sancho’s adviser.
This was confirmed by the ministry and Harrison yesterday.
Sancho was appointed on February 2 to replace Rupert Griffith. The latter replaced former minister Anil Roberts, who resigned last year amid the Life Sport furore and corruption allegations concerning that programme. It is under probe by police, the Integrity Commission and other authorities.
Central Football Club, “The Sharks”, is a T&T professional football club.
It was founded in 2012 by Sancho and is based in California, Couva. It plays in the TT Pro League.
After the club’s first season, it built a reputation in bringing football in community events, having completed over 12 projects and had reportedly struggled over the years.
In September 2013 the club received sponsorship from Couva-based Super Industrial Services (SIS)
Harrison joined the team in 2013 as operations director. After Sancho was appointed, Harrison was reported to have taken over as managing director of CFC since Sancho, as minister, had to separate himself from the club.
He was quoted in news reports that the changes would not negatively affect the club and that Sancho would not be involved in the club.
At that time Harrison was quoted as saying while it was a good move for Sancho “politically, it was not the best time to take the position with all the controversy that’s going on.”
He said yesterday the ministry had an allocation for the post of adviser and secretary.
He said the secretary was under contract and he also had a short-term—about three months—contract and was “just a civilian paid by the ministry” but gets no public service benefits like gratuities or such. He said the contract may be extended depending on when the general election was held and Parliament dissolves.
Harrison said he remained CFC’s operations manager and was also continuing the managing director duties. He said he would be able to manage all portfolios since the ministry stint was short term.
He said he would steer clear of any situation where conflict of interest could arise and would recuse himself or step away if confronted with that.
Harrison said he understood fully there could not be one rule for some people and another rule for others and that the only way the situation might be abused was if CFC got more than others.
He said that would not occur. “All clubs would be treated alike and no preferential treatment would be given,” he added.
Harrison said CFC, which qualified for the Carib Cup Championships on Wednesday night, had applied to the ministry for assistance since last October, well before Sancho was appointed minister. Efforts to contact Sancho yesterday were futile.
Formerly from the UK, Harrison, 52, lives in central Trinidad. His business career includes real estate and giving financial advice to footballers from several leagues.
After the 2006 World Cup, he was reportedly approached by Sancho, Kelvin Jack and Ian Cox, who asked for his help with a dispute over bonus payments to the squad.
After visiting the region to deal with legal action, he reportedly declined a TT Pro League offer but later helped negotiate a sponsorship arrangement between DirecTV and North East Stars FC, where Sancho was CEO and subsequently both established CFC.
I would like to point out that the article has several errors. Despite having a nice chat with Mrs Alexander, she failed to confirm several facts before going to press.
(SIS) Central FC football club has never existed in this format. The club has always been named Central F.C.
After the club’s first season, it built a reputation in bringing football in community events, having completed over 12 projects and had reportedly struggled over the years. How could the club have "struggled over the years" after it's first season??
In September 2013 the club received sponsorship from Couva-based Super Industrial Services (SIS) The sponsorship began in 2012.
Harrison joined the team in 2013 as operations director I conceived and formed the club with Sancho in 2012.
Harrison said CFC, which qualified for the Carib Cup Championships on Wednesday night, had applied to the ministry for assistance since last October, well before Sancho was appointed minister. Central F.C. qualified in May 2014. How could we apply for funding in October if we didn't qualify until February? ???
It's also kind of sad that Mrs Alexander hadn't bothered to relate the accomplishments of Central F.C. over it's three year period. Surely, that would give some kind of justification to the appointment? Also, an accurate account of my career. His business career includes real estate and giving financial advice to footballers from several leagues. I did work as an estate agent before becoming a financial adviser. Working for the P.F.A. is a fairly prestigious position in the UK, but that doesn't come across here.
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Bakes, you're seeing ghosts that don't exist.
Every Govt Minister is allowed to employ a personal adviser on a contract basis on a stipulated package . The adviser is not a civil servant. He/she does not advise the Ministry, they advise the Minister. He/she is paid by the Ministry but does not receive a civil service pension etc.
I believe that this process is the same in USA and UK (except the title may be Political Adviser?)
The only 'ghosts' I'm seeing are the ghosts of Sasha Mohammed, Reshmi Ramnarine et al. If you say these 'ghosts' don't exist then blame your boss for breathing life into them. He's the one who made clear that you don't work for the Ministry, you work for him personally. If you work for him personally why are you being paid with public Ministry funds?
I also don't think you should be trying to compare this to that of a "political advisor". I can't speak for the UK but in the US a political advisor (political consultant) is someone a campaign hires to advise on election strategy. What is the political expertise that qualifies you to advise Sancho on politics? I'm willing to accept that you didn't literally mean that you were a political advisor... and I'm sure you can see that even for anyone looking on objectively that this raises questions of nepotism.
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Nepotism......lol.
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Nepotism......lol.
I get your point. But let me ask you a question.......if you took the position of Minister in a controversial dept, with a staff of hundreds, would you want one person who you could trust to have your back?
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Nepotism......lol.
I get your point. But let me ask you a question.......if you took the position of Minister in a controversial dept, with a staff of hundreds, would you want one person who you could trust to have your back?
Obviously you want "your people" around so as to keep you in the know. Coming into such a tenuous situation it's understandable.
I am accused of being bias cause I have a man love thing for Sancho apparently. To be honest I have not even followed all of this.
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I get your point. But let me ask you a question.......if you took the position of Minister in a controversial dept, with a staff of hundreds, would you want one person who you could trust to have your back?
Kamla made much the same argument for hiring her sister as her travel companion... she had unspecified "health issues" which required her to hire someone she trusted.
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Obviously you want "your people" around so as to keep you in the know. Coming into such a tenuous situation it's understandable.
I am accused of being bias cause I have a man love thing for Sancho apparently. To be honest I have not even followed all of this.
Not you was the hypocrite who was accusing Sheldon Phillips of nepotism for hiring Lincoln Phillips (never mind it was the head coach who hired LP)?
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Gov't Ministers are allowed to hire one personal staff/help/adviser...the minister is allocated funds for the hire, but the Ministry does not pay the hire. Most ministers hire drivers/chauffeurs.
Not a PP fan, neither am I hyped up about Sancho's appointment. But there's nothing wrong with FS being Sancho's adviser
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TBH, this whole situation is foolish and not forward thinking, PP/UNC do some real foolishness instead of appointing a man who is qualified for the position.
No offense to Sancho I hope he does well in the post but he's not the right man for the job and FS as advisor?? that doesn't make sense, why is a non trini advising on government affairs and being paid by the government...
I'm sorry FS but you are lucky so many intelligent minded ex pats are no longer in the nation because scenarios as this would not happen...
in fact this is a big joke :D
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TBH, this whole situation is foolish and not forward thinking, PP/UNC do some real foolishness instead of appointing a man who is qualified for the position.
No offense to Sancho I hope he does well in the post but he's not the right man for the job and FS as advisor?? that doesn't make sense, why is a non trini advising on government affairs and being paid by the government...
I'm sorry FS but you are lucky so many intelligent minded ex pats are no longer in the nation because scenarios as this would not happen...
in fact this is a big joke :D
Fair enough, but I don't understand this " not qualified for the job" argument. So Kamla should have acted the way Manning, Panday etc performed and put in place a "qualified" Minister of Sport? Like who? Hunt? Roberts?
I've only been coming to this site since 2006, but I've never seen a Minister of Sport make you guys happy. Maybe Sancho won't either, but I think that you don't know his capabilities. Should we just keep building facilities that are 20 years out of date? Should the Ministry continue to be an ATM for poor administrators to beg from?
Sancho may not be there for long, but I will tell you that his policies will bring more efficiency in the future.
And personally, I feel that T&T is lucky to have me. What the hell has nationality to do with performance? As both Sancho and I have asked, why not just wait and see?
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Sancho says final word rests with him
Gail Alexander
Published:
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Brent Sancho
Sport Minister Brent Sancho has said his adviser Kevin Harrison is adviser to him moreso than the ministry, but he ultimately makes the decisions, not Harrison.
Sancho was commenting Thursday night on the appointment of Harrison as his adviser on a short-term contract. Harrison is managing director/operations manager of Central FC (CFC) which Sancho owned. Sancho severed ties with the Club after becoming a minister.
Harrison also said Thursday there would be no preferential treatment for CFC on his part, and he would step away from any situation in which a conflict of interest arose.
Sancho said he did not see any problem with Harrison’s appointment because, after receiving any advice from Harrison, he (Sancho) would still have to weigh it and make a final decision which would be his own.
He said if there was any inappropriate conduct, the contract would end. Sancho made it clear he had taken the ministerial appointment to serve the country, since the request had been made of him at this time.
Also, yesterday, CFC representatives said SIS Ltd was not the only sponsor of the club, since they had sponsorships from about 11 sponsors including Ramsingh’s Sports of Couva.
Businessman Nal Ramsingh confirmed he was a sponsor of CFC, adding: “I support them...in cricket, football and sporting groups, temples and other organisations. I’m a person like that; where I can give freely or serve, I do so. I have no ulterior motives.”
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Honestly FS, I glad for you. Basically you are a forum member and we have been following your movements with Sanco and CFC organization from its inception. By and large most (or some) of us commend both you and Sanch for the way you guys are attempting to make the team identify with the central community. But seeing the nature of politics in TT, it very hard for some or most of the forumites not comment on your appointment. One of the reasons the PNM lost the last election was the accusation of nepotism by the party. Manning hired Hart, a Canadian as a close advisor. Many did not like a foreigner having the ears of the PM. Even Rowley vented his displeasure. But Patos relented and we saw the consequences. I personally feel you will give Brent sound advice, which hopefully will be beneficial for sports and of course, our beloved footie. But Mr. Panday retorted that politics have a morality of its own. I translated that as meaning, it's always easy commenting from the outside. But when you are inside, it is a different kettle of fish. You fall in line with the people you used to criticize. I really hope you do the right thing. Good luck.
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Good talking Deeks,
Once Sancho do right, I good and could careless who he hires.
But he need to help T&T football and stop talking in he ass about ATM because when he was a player he was expecting government ATM also.
He have to help de TTFA even if its for a bit. He here for to short and talking to big, people will judge him on that, we want to see action, help the TTFA man and save we football.
Put de shit aside, Tim Kee time will come, put up some ground work and ultimatiums so they will have to be consistent to get more, but they need help now.
The little time FS here and Sancho they made a BIG difference in the T&T league and they do a lot of community service with Central FC more than de TTFA in a decade, they need to advise de TTFA how to do it.
Central doing better in two years than other league teams do in 10., so Sancho cah be bad.
De only thing, I was so see action, so FS, go there and represent we and doh forget de SWO.
Who vex, f00ck them because anyone they put there will bring they own team.
They need to fix the TTFA doh, like make them more friendly, they treat de fans like shit and expect we to come out and full stadiums. They press officer is de worst.
News years come and gone and you cant hear a peep. They do some make up video on facebook and call de women team, team of the year. I meet some of them ladies in T&T and them laughing to.
This same women team made them millions and full de stadium since 2006 but not even a medal or a thanks.
Half ah de people vex because its not about Sancho, its about PNM, they coulda do no wrong even if a money was running de PNM party.
Bennie Hin, de Chinese and C.Hart take all T&T money under Patrick Manning, but they forget that.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
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Obviously you want "your people" around so as to keep you in the know. Coming into such a tenuous situation it's understandable.
I am accused of being bias cause I have a man love thing for Sancho apparently. To be honest I have not even followed all of this.
Not you was the hypocrite who was accusing Sheldon Phillips of nepotism for hiring Lincoln Phillips (never mind it was the head coach who hired LP)?
Yes I did. Check when though and in what context I did.
You real butt hurt over Sancho boy, whey sah.
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Yes I did. Check when though and in what context I did.
You real butt hurt over Sancho boy, whey sah.
I "butt hurt over Sancho" because I point out to you the fact that you're being a hypocrite? Ok.
For the record, it matters not what FS' nationality is, if he's most qualified among equals then that's all that matters. The problem is we don't know how his candidacy ranks compared to others, well, because there was no open transparent process.
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Yes I did. Check when though and in what context I did.
You real butt hurt over Sancho boy, whey sah.
I "butt hurt over Sancho" because I point out to you the fact that you're being a hypocrite? Ok.
For the record, it matters not what FS' nationality is, if he's most qualified among equals then that's all that matters. The problem is we don't know how his candidacy ranks compared to others, well, because there was no open transparent process.
There is no open or transparent process Bakes. I guess that out of all the people he has personally worked with, he preferred me. It's his choice. Just like when a new coach takes over, he brings his own people. I'm sure that's the same in the corporate world too. The only qualifications needed are "does he trust me" "can I help him complete his role" "do I have any skeletons in the closet".
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You don't have to explain or defend the appointment to me, the larger point I was raising is that we tend to complain about nepotism but only when convenient. Not only that, but this is public funds that were dealing with, it's quite different from in the corporate world or on a football staff.
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You don't have to explain or defend the appointment to me, the larger point I was raising is that we tend to complain about nepotism but only when convenient. Not only that, but this is public funds that were dealing with, it's quite different from in the corporate world or on a football staff.
Bro' this is how it's done in T&T. All them Ministers in Gov't and Secretaries in the THA use this selection process for their advisers. Sancho met this system and was probably advised as to what the criteria was. If it faulty it is not his fault.
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Bro' this is how it's done in T&T. All them Ministers in Gov't and Secretaries in the THA use this selection process for their advisers. Sancho met this system and was probably advised as to what the criteria was. If it faulty it is not his fault.
I get that, all of that is fine and good. The issue is Sancho came in campaigning as a reformer, he was heavily critical of the current set up, but now that he's a part of it he has acquiesced to it. As such, he is fair game for the very same criticism that he himself either expressly or implicitly engaged in before. But again, my comments were more so directed at the SWO members here who were critical as well, but now are either willing to turn a blind eye or are praising him.
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Bro' this is how it's done in T&T. All them Ministers in Gov't and Secretaries in the THA use this selection process for their advisers. Sancho met this system and was probably advised as to what the criteria was. If it faulty it is not his fault.
I get that, all of that is fine and good. The issue is Sancho came in campaigning as a reformer, he was heavily critical of the current set up, but now that he's a part of it he has acquiesced to it. As such, he is fair game for the very same criticism that he himself either expressly or implicitly engaged in before. But again, my comments were more so directed at the SWO members here who were critical as well, but now are either willing to turn a blind eye or are praising him.
Breds, I doubt we on this forum are so naive to think that this may not have happened when we first heard about Brent's appointment. Like Doc said, this how things go in TT. We don't have to agreed. I just hope they do something for sports and football.
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Yup, let's watch and see.
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Sancho aint self last 2 weeks and he start with the Jack Warner tactics.
Special Advisor .....Warner invent them tactics
wonder if the ministry have to pay this advisor
How you can have a man working for your private business and you give him a govt work in your govt capacity.
maybe you might pay him with govt money to cut back on your own private pay role
questions can always be asked
why put yourself in these situations.
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Sancho aint self last 2 weeks and he start with the Jack Warner tactics.
Special Advisor .....Warner invent them tactics
wonder if the ministry have to pay this advisor
How you can have a man working for your private business and you give him a govt work in your govt capacity.
maybe you might pay him with govt money to cut back on your own private pay role
questions can always be asked
why put yourself in these situations.
KND, clearly you are not reading these posts! Once again, every Minister is entitled to a PERSONAL adviser. This is not a new thing. It is a practice that exists in most democratic governments. The PNM have not opposed it because they too would have personal advisers if they were in power.
How you can have a man working for your private business and you give him a govt work in your govt capacity. So, you would choose a total stranger rather than a business partner whom you know can perform the role?
Whether you agree with this accepted practice or not, there is nothing untoward about the appointment. I'm just amazed that after all these years of bleating about football not being represented and SWO not being given access to put forward it's views, now you have a former world cup player who's club is arguably the best in the Pro League in only it's third year, AND an SWO member in the Ministry yet you're trying to create some kind of scandal where none exists. :frustrated:
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Nothing against the new minister - but it might have been better to effect change by standing firm with principles rather than accepting the first bone yuh get.
What wrong with waiting for the election and coming out on a platform that shows what you are all about!!
FS no matter ho why slice it- nepotism is what it is no euphuism needed. FS appointment is in many ways akin to a former PM who upon being elected appointed his wife to ah ministerial post- your could imagine how many nights she probably had that saltfish up for ransom?
How yuh reprimanding yuh wife for wrong doings or not doing ah job?
Look nah is all India family ting playing out in Politricking Party
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Commissioner of State Lands confirms...
By Asha Javeed (Express).
SIS SQUATTING
Commissioner of State Lands Ian Fletcher says that Couva-based conglomerate Super Industrial Services (SIS) has been illegally occupying some 35 acres of land in Perseverance Village, Couva.
Fletcher, in an interview with the Express last Friday, said that SIS does not have tenancy for the 35 acres of land which it has already cleared and blocked off with fences since last July.
The land belonged to Caroni Ltd and was once vested to the Estate Management and Business Development Co Ltd (EMBD), but has now been vested with the Commissioner of State Lands.
That unit falls under the Ministry of Land and Marine Resources, headed by Minister Jairam Seemungal.
SIS, founded by Krishna Lalla in 1979, has a main office at Rivulet Road, Couva, and another office at Farm Road, Perseverance, which acts as a warehouse operation.
It is adjacent to the land that the company has fenced off.
“SIS does not have a tenancy for the land. I know they have a lease for part of the land, but not for the other part,” Fletcher said.
Under the Basdeo Panday administration, SIS obtained a lease for a 30-acre parcel of land on which its warehouse and some of its business operations are now located.
Last August, the Sunday Express had exclusively reported on the land grab by SIS.
Sunday Express investigations had revealed that some farmers, who had been squatting on the lands for some 15 years, quit their crops after being offered cash by SIS to vacate the land.
Some farmers claim to have been intimidated into vacating the land, while others accepted $2,000 to $5,000 to abandon the land.
Caroni officials had told the Sunday Express they were unaware of any approval being given to SIS.
Ronald Alfred, head of the Original Jab Jab, who has been squatting on his piece of land for the last 15 years, turned down a cash offer of $50,000 from SIS to vacate his land.
He has since sought the assistance of Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial in getting a lease for the land, but the matter has not yet been resolved.
As of now, SIS has basically taken the place of the farmers squatting on the State lands.
Fletcher explained that SIS has only now applied to his office for tenancy of the land.
“They are now going through the process of complying, but I don’t know if they will get the approvals,” he said.
Pressed on what action he would take if SIS was not granted final approval for the land, Fletcher replied: “They will be asked to vacate or I will remove them.”
SIS is a business conglomerate that has been the recipient of million-dollar contracts from the People’s Partnership Government.
The Express tried unsuccessfully to contact SIS’ chief executive David Lumsden for comment.
Lalla has said he does not own SIS.
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Commissioner of State Lands confirms...
By Asha Javeed (Express).
SIS SQUATTING
Commissioner of State Lands Ian Fletcher says that Couva-based conglomerate Super Industrial Services (SIS) has been illegally occupying some 35 acres of land in Perseverance Village, Couva.
Fletcher, in an interview with the Express last Friday, said that SIS does not have tenancy for the 35 acres of land which it has already cleared and blocked off with fences since last July.
The land belonged to Caroni Ltd and was once vested to the Estate Management and Business Development Co Ltd (EMBD), but has now been vested with the Commissioner of State Lands.
That unit falls under the Ministry of Land and Marine Resources, headed by Minister Jairam Seemungal.
SIS, founded by Krishna Lalla in 1979, has a main office at Rivulet Road, Couva, and another office at Farm Road, Perseverance, which acts as a warehouse operation.
It is adjacent to the land that the company has fenced off.
“SIS does not have a tenancy for the land. I know they have a lease for part of the land, but not for the other part,” Fletcher said.
Under the Basdeo Panday administration, SIS obtained a lease for a 30-acre parcel of land on which its warehouse and some of its business operations are now located.
Last August, the Sunday Express had exclusively reported on the land grab by SIS.
Sunday Express investigations had revealed that some farmers, who had been squatting on the lands for some 15 years, quit their crops after being offered cash by SIS to vacate the land.
Some farmers claim to have been intimidated into vacating the land, while others accepted $2,000 to $5,000 to abandon the land.
Caroni officials had told the Sunday Express they were unaware of any approval being given to SIS.
Ronald Alfred, head of the Original Jab Jab, who has been squatting on his piece of land for the last 15 years, turned down a cash offer of $50,000 from SIS to vacate his land.
He has since sought the assistance of Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial in getting a lease for the land, but the matter has not yet been resolved.
As of now, SIS has basically taken the place of the farmers squatting on the State lands.
Fletcher explained that SIS has only now applied to his office for tenancy of the land.
“They are now going through the process of complying, but I don’t know if they will get the approvals,” he said.
Pressed on what action he would take if SIS was not granted final approval for the land, Fletcher replied: “They will be asked to vacate or I will remove them.”
SIS is a business conglomerate that has been the recipient of million-dollar contracts from the People’s Partnership Government.
The Express tried unsuccessfully to contact SIS’ chief executive David Lumsden for comment.
Lalla has said he does not own SIS.
Why is this in this thread?
Central received sponsorship, does that mean they are responsible for the inner workings of business?
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Yes I did. Check when though and in what context I did.
You real butt hurt over Sancho boy, whey sah.
I "butt hurt over Sancho" because I point out to you the fact that you're being a hypocrite? Ok.
For the record, it matters not what FS' nationality is, if he's most qualified among equals then that's all that matters. The problem is we don't know how his candidacy ranks compared to others, well, because there was no open transparent process.
I agree with Bakes on the point that there were no interviews or other qualified candidates offered the position, at least to our knowledge, but I cannot agree with the nationality part... It is akin to qualified candidates in T&T having a fair opportunity to apply, who else will apply?
But then you have to question yourself about what are the laws governing such an appointment. Maybe the leniency in the law has allowed for this supposed nepotism to occur. I assume as I am not familiar with the laws surrounding this appointment. But I am sure, first preference should be given to a T&T citizen over other individuals???
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Why is this in this thread?
Central received sponsorship, does that mean they are responsible for the inner workings of business?
No one is blaming anyone, just reading info on SIS as they relate to Sancho and Central FC.
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5. Will we see some changes in the law, for example;
a) Allowing foreigners of Trinbagonian grand-parentage eligibility to represent T&T in sport?
b) Giving companies a tax break if they sponsor local sports?
MoS: - I'm not sure that I can change laws on my own!! But I take your point. I would prefer to focus on developing our homegrown talent, which I believe is greatly untapped at the moment. Companies do get tax breaks, but the procedures are not attractive at the moment. For example, if I'm a Brand Manager with a budget of $1 million in 2015, it doesn't interest me that my company will get a tax rebate in 2016.
This is why I will be meeting with corporate leaders to encourage methods of sponsorship. For example, if we build facilities as mentioned above, would they pay naming rights? Would they lease corporate boxes? Would they install for example, KFC's, TGI's, Digicel outlets? Would drinks companies pay for exclusive pouring rights? We need to bring business into sport to create income for the stakeholders and to reduce the dependency on the Ministry of Sports. Remember that our whole economy depends on energy prices, so we must develop income streams outside of the government, which will include sports tourism, which, I predict, will greatly increase in T&T over the next few years.
DOUBLE TONGUE
Sancho keen to develop women’s football
By JOEL BAILEY Tuesday, March 3 2015
BRENT SANCHO, Minister of Sport, is keen on the betterment of Trinidad and Tobago football, which he served with distinction as a player during the 2000s.
As a result, he is paying particular attention towards the state of women’s football in the twin-island Republic. Sancho is pushing forward with plans to have a women’s professional league and utilising gate receipts, from international fixtures at home, to offset the salaries to members (players and the technical staff) of the men’s team.
In a telephone interview, the Sports Minister, commenting on the women’s agenda, noted, “we want to have an in-depth look at having the possibility of having a women’s professional league. So it’s something that is very high on the agenda of things that I’ll like to do.” The former national team defender added, “I strongly believe it would assist in the development of our sport. I would make sure that, with discussing with the stakeholders involved in it, that we make sure that the input would see the development of our young talent as well as the continued development of our existing talent.” Sancho admitted that it is currently a proposal, but he wishes to have it implemented as early as this year. “It’s still in the embryotic stages,” he said.
“I’ve mentioned to both WoLF (Women’s League Football) and the TTFA. They like the idea. It’s just now to see the feasibility of it. It’s something that we can continue to push forward.” The Sports Minister plans to see teams from all areas of Trinidad and Tobago involved in the pilot project. “We want to raise the level of women’s football in the country,” Sancho stated. “We’re looking at bringing players from outside the country, doing a draft system, and also (expecting) that each team have a certain amount of youth players. It really is an opportunity to try and lift the women’s programme. We understand the financial constraints of the (TTFA) and the WoLF.” He continued, “we were 20-odd seconds from going into probably extra time and probably into a World Cup. We want to put forward a plan that will see us continuously qualify for world tournaments, in the women’s side of football.”
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Sancho: Sport facilities must become viable
By Sue-Ann Wayow (Express).
New home
THE main focus for Sport Minister Brent Sancho is to make money for the country through sport. Sancho said sport could not be continued to be seen as recreation only but as an investment.
Sancho was speaking to the media yesterday during a tour of the National Cycling Velodrome soon to be opened in Couva.
Using the multi-million facility as an example of world class status, Sancho said the facility and others to be built will be used for both business and recreation. Sancho said: “We are looking at sport as a business and that is something this ministry is very high on. We are looking at naming rights for it, different booths named after different corporate companies.
‘’This arena is multifaceted. You could hold functions, parties, weddings. All our facilities that we build in this country here on forward has to be multifaceted. Sports tourism is a business in itself. You talk about the low oil prices, sports could be a supplement for us in terms of possible diversification of the economy.” He said in the past a stadium was built for one purpose which was no longer feasible for the country.
“We tend to look at sport from the entertainment perspective but we have not really ventured out into the business of sport and that really is what I want to see,’’ pointed out the Sport Minister. “That is where we have to go. We have to look at things from a business perspective. We have to start looking at sport tourism as the next big income earner for us.”
Sancho said facilities must be built with gyms, restaurants, bars and other recreational type businesses.
Having top facilities will only increase athletes’ competencies, he contends.
“What happens with a world class facility now is that it attracts world class athletes and the only way you can get better in sport is when you compete against the best. That is what these facilities will do. It would give you the opportunity to compete and not just on a random level but on a consistent level against the best,” said Sancho.
He said it did not matter the amount spent on facilities. “There is no cost in sport and what sport can do for a nation. There is no price tag to what sport can do in impoverished areas, what it can do to the young man.
It could help quell a lot of our social ills,” Sancho emphasised. He said the opening of the velodrome was long overdue but now “the ability of us accomplishing real medals, gold medals, in all the major cycling competitions is right around the corner.”
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Sancho says final word rests with him
Gail Alexander
Published:
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Brent Sancho
Sport Minister Brent Sancho has said his adviser Kevin Harrison is adviser to him moreso than the ministry, but he ultimately makes the decisions, not Harrison.
Sancho was commenting Thursday night on the appointment of Harrison as his adviser on a short-term contract. Harrison is managing director/operations manager of Central FC (CFC) which Sancho owned. Sancho severed ties with the Club after becoming a minister.
Harrison also said Thursday there would be no preferential treatment for CFC on his part, and he would step away from any situation in which a conflict of interest arose.
Sancho said he did not see any problem with Harrison’s appointment because, after receiving any advice from Harrison, he (Sancho) would still have to weigh it and make a final decision which would be his own.
He said if there was any inappropriate conduct, the contract would end. Sancho made it clear he had taken the ministerial appointment to serve the country, since the request had been made of him at this time.
Also, yesterday, CFC representatives said SIS Ltd was not the only sponsor of the club, since they had sponsorships from about 11 sponsors including Ramsingh’s Sports of Couva.
Businessman Nal Ramsingh confirmed he was a sponsor of CFC, adding: “I support them...in cricket, football and sporting groups, temples and other organisations. I’m a person like that; where I can give freely or serve, I do so. I have no ulterior motives.”
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Brent%20Sancho%20on%20UNC%20Forum%20Platform.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Brent%20Sancho%20on%20UNC%20Forum%20Platform.jpg.html)
Look at Sancho our new Minister of Sport then think of Oliver Camps.
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Kevin%20Harrison.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Kevin%20Harrison.jpg.html)
Now look at Kevin his "Special Adviser" with this devious look on his face and think of Jack Warner.
Can we totally believe that Sancho is really in charge? It remains to be seen.
I'm on kicks eh FS! :devil:
Good luck to the team, I honestly hope you can make a major positive impact on Sports in T&T before the government has to call General Elections or another SoE to save them having to face the voters.
PS:
Btw FS, why aren't you wearing your yellow jersey like Sancho is? This needs to be a team effort and we don't want to see anyone being sacked by our beloved PM! ;D
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Harrison is a good dude, better than what we had ever.
He will help, trust me.
Sancho and him good.
Better than all de other theifing crooks.
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Harrison is a good dude, better than what we had ever.
He will help, trust me.
Sancho and him good.
Better than all de other theifing crooks.
:beermug:
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Sancho disburses Elite Athlete Funding
T&T Newsday Reports.
Newly appointed Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho, disbursed a total of $397,500 in Elite Athlete Assistance Programme (EAAP) funding to seven national athletes from two sporting disciplines on Wednesday.
Receiving the much welcomed funds from the Ministry of Sports were athletic representatives Darrel Brown, Rondell Sorrillo, Romona Modeste, Gerrone Black, Kai Selvon and Shawna Permin. Additionally, national endurance cyclist Varun Maharajh also received funds for the first time, and is expected to put it to good use as he further develops himself on the American cycling circuit.
Meanwhile, athletes who were also recipients of funding prior to the aforementioned include Lalonde Gordon, Zwede Hewitt, Richard Thompson (all of athletics) and boxer Michael Alexander.
The total sum of the Elite Athlete Funding released by the Ministry of Sport for fiscal year 2014-2015 thus far is $1,015,000.
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ahem, ahem,, Minister, oh Minister... Canada to Bbdos, costing meh another 5k Canadian..the boys alone 2 K Canadian to rep,MzTing at CCcan, was 1k, not counting the 18 + k Can we already spend THIS YEAR to keep them up to speed..ahhh..no, no, nobody tell we to swim...ahh ah, no, nobody tell we to rep TT.. ah ok..we will try to hold on.. :-[
oops wrong thread..whey the hardluck thread...oh yeah, remember now lol
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Sancho disburses Elite Athlete Funding
T&T Newsday Reports.
Newly appointed Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho, disbursed a total of $397,500 in Elite Athlete Assistance Programme (EAAP) funding to seven national athletes from two sporting disciplines on Wednesday.
Receiving the much welcomed funds from the Ministry of Sports were athletic representatives Darrel Brown, Rondell Sorrillo, Romona Modeste, Gerrone Black, Kai Selvon and Shawna Permin. Additionally, national endurance cyclist Varun Maharajh also received funds for the first time, and is expected to put it to good use as he further develops himself on the American cycling circuit.
Meanwhile, athletes who were also recipients of funding prior to the aforementioned include Lalonde Gordon, Zwede Hewitt, Richard Thompson (all of athletics) and boxer Michael Alexander.
The total sum of the Elite Athlete Funding released by the Ministry of Sport for fiscal year 2014-2015 thus far is $1,015,000.
I am sure this happened since last month before T&T carnival!!
Why is the Newsday so late with this info and making it seem like this disbursement took place this week?
Go here for same info from last month: http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=64004.msg920231#msg920231
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Ministry not an ATM
By COREY CONNELLY (Newsday).
Brent Sancho says transparency and accountability will be the hallmark of his stewardship as Minister of Sport in the People’s Partnership Government.
“I see organisations bringing me budgets and pleading poverty while management enjoys a high standard of living, yet their staff is owed money. I cannot justify that kind of budgeting,” Sancho says of his interactions with sporting bodies since assuming the post last month.
“If an organisation is in debt, you have to reduce your spending. Every sporting organisation, team and club needs to be run like a business.”
Borrowing a perspective from United National Congress (UNC) political leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who, early in her tenure as Prime Minister in 2010, condemned the practise by some Caribbean islands of turning to Trinidad and Tobago for financial assistance in times of crisis, a tough-talking Sancho declared that the ministry, too, “was not an ATM where people can just receive handouts.”
“I want transparency and accountability. These may just be words to some people but to me they are fundamental requirements to achieve funding,” he says. During his tenure, Sancho, 37, says he will also be pushing for value for taxpayers’ money.
“I want to know what’s in it for the TT citizen.
I want their coaches supporting our programmes. I want our youths to be welcomed at events.
I want to see development,” he says, Weaning organisations away from government support, says Sancho, also factors prominently on his agenda. Bent on encouraging various sporting bodies to take an active involvement in future facilities and so generate income and control their own destiny, Sancho says:
“I want to see how they (sports organisations) have engaged support from the corporate sector and how they have developed income streams for themselves. In return, I can offer more than money. If need be I will help them with their audits and accounts.” He also plans to convene a symposium with senior corporate executives to promote the value of investing in sport.
“I am engaging corporate TT in sport in a meaningful way. For example, I am talking to Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to assist with overseas flights for our athletes and teams. In return, CAL would be recognised as a sponsor with their logo on travel jerseys and tracksuits.
“Think about it, our athletes compete in every continent and are televised into hundreds of millions of homes globally. What a fantastic promotional tool! Sponsoring sport is the best value for money promotion you can buy.”
Sancho’s goals may seem quite ambitious given the limited time frame in which he has to effect meaningful change at the ministry, ahead of the upcoming general election.
However, he assures that he will not pursue any major initiatives within the next few months but rather influence improvements in existing projects as well as make tangible inputs in forthcoming policy decisions. “My goal is to make a positive impact on the ministry so that whoever takes over my portfolio will have streamlined procedures, structured policies and motivate staff,” he says. The dreadlocked Sancho, who holds a degree in Psychology from St John’s University in New York, has had no grace period within which to gradually embrace his role at the ministry.
He’s had to buckle down to work quickly but describes his stint within the government thus far as phenomenal.
“It has been an exciting time for me as I experience the inner workings of the People’s Partnership.” The sport portfolio, he admits, has been especially overwhelming.
“My initial thoughts were, how can one person do this job?” he jokes.
“My wife says that I live at the ministry. I’m usually at work by 7 am and I’m rarely home before 8pm each day.”
Apart from his Cabinet and senatorial duties, the former national footballer has a slew of tasks to which he has to attend on a daily basis.
Outside of these responsibilities, he oversees the SPORTT Company, “which in itself is a full-time role.”
The father of two, who announced his retirement from international football in October 2006, told Sunday Newsday, “There was no honeymoon period as I had to immediately immerse myself in a myriad of projects while trying to learn everyone’s name and function. But I have to say that I am enjoying the role and I have set myself specific goals to achieve during my tenure.” The founder of Central FC, who enjoyed a stellar career as a member of TT’s beloved Soca Warriors and as a player on several high-profile, foreign-based teams, Sancho admits that he had never considered a career in politics before being approached by the Prime Minister to take up the sport portfolio in the government. “I had no previous political inclination and had not considered entering politics, at least not for another ten years or so.” The ministry, he was told, was in need of “someone dynamic with leadership to bring about positive change” and the Belmont-bred Sancho, who made his debut on a political platform during the UNC’s Monday Night Forum at Brazil Government Secondary, last week, readily accepted the opportunity to serve.
“As a professional footballer and sport being my passion, I see myself contributing to my country in a meaningful way and to helping the youths and all athletes by ensuring that proper facilities and funding required, are provided for them to succeed in their relevant discipline. I am grateful for the opportunity to see the situation from the other side of the fence and bring positive change where I can,” he says.
So, can a sportsman make a good politician?
Observing that quite a few athletes have made the transition from sport to politics, Sancho listed Brazilian football legends Pele and Zico as persons who have successfully traversed both fields.
Pele, he says, holds the title of “Extraordinary Minister of Sport” in his homeland while Zico, who worked briefly in Fernando Collar de Mello’s administration in the early 1990s as sport minister, is still recognised for securing passage of a bill to assist clubs with their business affairs by ensuring they were run in a professsional fashion. At home, he recalls that late netball star Jean Pierre had also served briefly as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain West from 1991 to 1995 in the People’s National Movement administration.
Sancho, who was the owner/coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Football League Club, North East stars, again dismissed talk that he is being groomed to contest the Toco/Sangre Grande seat on a UNC ticket for the upcoming general election.
“I have not been asked by the Honourable Prime Minister to contest the Toco/Sangre Grande seat or any other seat. There is no truth to the talk,” Sancho says. The seat is currently held by his predecessor in the sport ministry Dr Rupert Griffith.
Sancho says his focus, in the interim, will be to improve the status of sporting organisations.
His announcement of a semi-professional women’s football league during last week’s political meeting is a case in point.
“Most people would agree that our national women’s team excited the nation like no other team since the Soca Warriors of 2005/6 but after their last-minute loss to Ecuador, what have they done?” Sancho asked.
“They have had no games, nothing has been put in place to build upon their success and the interest generated. These girls need regular football so that they can develop.”
Sancho is hoping to use his office to organise international matches for the players. He laments that while there has been a positive start to women’s league football, it did not provide any income for the players. “My concept is to offer six or eight franchises to corporate TT based on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system,” he says. “Each team would have its own sponsor and would contain a sprinkling of overseas players.” The minister pointed out that while he will assist with the creation of the league, there would be very little financial input from the government.
Sancho also intends to embark upon the construction of several football-specific facilities to encourage Pro League clubs to become financially self-sufficient. “I am seeing that there are many sports in need of facilities and I would hope to address this more after the election,” he says. Aside from his portfolio, Sancho says he is deeply concerned about the ccountry’s crime situation. However, he believes that sport can help to turn young people away from crime.
“No child is born bad. We have to give them attractive alternatives to drugs and gangs,” he says.
Sancho says the society has the ability to mentor children who do not respect institutions such as schools and the law. “They come to us to have fun, and while they’re enjoying their sport we can embed certain core messages that can help to shape their psyche going forward,” he says. “Teamwork, honesty, respect, passion, self-belief are all components of sport success. They are also building blocks for great citizenship. Prevention is better than cure and sport can be a cure.”
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'Peter Crouch is probably the most hated Englishman in our history'
By Rob Stevens (BBC Sport)
"I think Peter Crouch is probably the most hated Englishman in the history of Trinidad and Tobago because of that goal."
Nine years on, Brent Sancho can look back on the moment that sent both players into the footballing history of two small Caribbean islands with a bit of pride and dry humour.
There were eight minutes left of the goalless group match between England and Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when Crouch, then a Liverpool striker, used the defender's dreadlocks to help lever himself up to head home a trademark David Beckham cross.
Despite the clear infringement the goal stood.
"It is folklore here in Trinidad. It is one of those things that anywhere I go, people will always remind me," Sancho told BBC Radio Kent.
"Everyone has their spin on it - where they were when it happened and their dislike for him."
Crouch's goal saved England's embarrassment and Steven Gerrard added another goal in stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win.
England had almost slipped up against the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, and a squad containing 15 players who played in England or Scotland.
The Three Lions went on to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage, losing to Portugal on penalties, while Trinidad and Tobago finished bottom of the group.
However, Sancho, who was then at Gillingham, has not rued what might have been and is proud to have been part of the first Trinidad and Tobago squad to play at the World Cup.
"I remember the game very vividly - holding off the English for 82 minutes until Peter scored that infamous goal," the 38-year-old added.
"Those things are part of football. I hold no animosities towards Peter - I think he is an absolutely fabulous player.
"It was such a brilliant fight from the guys. We really held our own and we walked out of that game being able to hold our heads up high.
"The performance against England, as a Trinbagonian and one of the 11 participants on the field, is something we can always look back at as something that was truly magnificent.
"We have struggled with our crime rate here in Trinidad and during games in the World Cup, crime went to practically zero. It is a testament to sports and what sports can do."
Sancho has not followed a traditional path since retiring from playing. Rather than go into coaching, management or punditry, the giant defender is now Minister for Sport in the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
"It is a lot different walking the streets of Gillingham to the offices of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
"It is a bit of a change but at the same point in time it is such a great achievement to be able to continue to represent my country.
"I got involved in the administration side of football when I finished playing. Politics was nowhere near my agenda.
"I don't view myself as a politician. I view myself as a sportsman with a task of implementing and changing the projection of sports in this country.
"I am very proud of being part of this government. I think the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has done a tremendous job in putting sports at the front and changing the scope of sports in this country.
"That was one of the things that really attracted me to the job."
Sancho believes his playing career in Britain - including spells at Dundee and Ross County - has played its part in his move into politics.
"My life experiences in the UK in general, living in Scotland and Maidstone and playing for Gillingham, has contributed heavily towards who I am now," he said.
"Being able to meet various people, living in the English culture and being part of the professional set-up in England has paved the way for me, in terms of where I am now.
"It is a lot different to being here on the island. The professionalism, mentality and work ethic of the English and the Americans has really sculpted me as an individual.
"It has probably put me on the platform for this new career I am just starting in."
VIDEO: - World Cup 2006 England Trinidad and Tobago Match Highlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjGYiLa3W6I)
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How come I doh hate Peter Crouch. Honestly speaking, I might have done the same thing if I was in his position.
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How come I doh hate Peter Crouch. Honestly speaking, I might have done the same thing if I was in his position.
nah..I cyah face Crouch..how come all the women have long hair, and none them get a twist neck yet. >:(
cause he's a nasty, cheating biiiaaattcchh :D
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Sancho for Toco seat.
By Yvonne Webb (Guardian).
In February former national footballer Brent Sancho replaced Dr Rupert Griffith as sport minister.
Now Sancho’s supporters are urging Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to also have him replace Griffith as the candidate to contest the Toco/Sangre Grande seat in the September 7 general election.
Outside the Rienzi Complex headquarters of the United National Congress (UNC), Couva, on Monday night, a throng of Sancho supporters lifted him in the air, shouting at the top of their voices, “We want Sancho, we want Sancho. Give we, Sancho, give we Sancho.”
The men and women dressed in grey T-Shirts with the words ‘Delivery beats ole talk anyday’ on the front and “Sancho, we deliver, we deliver’ on the back, kept up a lively chant as Sancho mingled inside the building with the PM and other cabinet colleagues after the Monday Night Forum at the party headquarters.
As he emerged from the building around 11 pm, the group surged forward and two men lifted him in the air, in sportsman-like fashion, carrying him for a short distance.
“We love him. We love him,” a jubilant woman shouted identifying herself as a Toco/Sangre Grande constituent. She let out a resounding, “Nooooo,” when asked about Griffith returning as their candidate.
“We don’t want Griffith (the incumbent). We had him for five years and he do nothing. This man (Sancho) now come and in a couple of months this man doing a good job. So we done know what going to happen in five years to come,” one of the men holding him up in the air said.
“Brent is the man. Brent is the man,” another shouted.
In response, Sancho, who represented T&T at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, would only say, “This is the voice of the people.”
Asked if he had filed nomination papers to contest the seat for the UNC, Sancho replied, “That will be disclosed soon.”
Last month, Griffith’s former chauffeur, David John, collected a nomination form and indicated his intention to wrest the seat from his former boss on a UNC ticket.
At that point Griffith told the media all seats were opened and he had no problem with anyone contesting the seat as it was their democratic right so to do.
Although a political newbie, Sancho has been featured prominently as one of the UNC platform speakers. He was on the platform on Monday night as the party kicked off its campaign, telling the audience about plans for sports should the Government get the opportunity to serve a second term.
He said the PP was the only Government that treated sports with respect.
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Housing for elite athletes agenda must be pursued.
By Mark Pouchet (Express).
Lewis, Sancho on same page
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee proposal for expedited housing for elite athletes has been rejected. But TTOC president Brian Lewis says he will pursue the proposal despite this setback while Minister of Sport Brent Sancho says he is fighting hard to make it a reality.
In a March 25 correspondence to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Dr Roodal Moonilal and Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, the TTOC president made a request for expedited access to HDC housing for athletes, attaching a policy proposal for housing assistance for athletes.
The proposal was a two-page document under two headings--one giving first the policy statement and then the second explaining rationale behind the proposal. The TTOC also invited further discussion if more details were required.
But on May 12, the Housing Development Corporation managing director Earlean John, in acknowledging receipt of the TTOC March 25-dated letter, declared that the HDC “takes its directives relative to the allocation and distribution of housing from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.”
It continued: “Consequently, we thank you for your proposal but any implementation of an ‘Elite Housing Assistance Programme’ by the HDC will have to be mandated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Development.”
Contacted yesterday, TTOC president Brian Lewis praised Minister of Sport Sancho for making representation to his cabinet colleagues. But he said a response coming from the HDC, which he never wrote, seems to be “paper-pushing”.
“The letter didn’t go to the HDC. Considering that the correspondence was sent to the Prime Minister and copied to the Ministers of Housing and Sport, the reasonable expectation would have been to be given the opportunity to discuss the rationale for the proposal,” Lewis said.
Lewis added that T&T elite level athletes make huge sacrifices to represent the country sometimes at personal and financial costs to themselves. “Why must our athletes always have to consider packing up or migrating. The disrespect for what our athletes go through must stop. “We will not achieve 10 or more Olympic gold medals by 2024 if the plight of our athletes continue to be dismissed,” Lewis said.
But Minister of Sport Sancho said the Government is receptive to the idea but since this is the first time a government would be undertaking a venture like this, the issue had to be examined thoroughly.
“We are putting together a holistic plan and last week I had a meeting with TTOC and some other governing bodies as it relates to a 2016 push for Rio. Separate and apart from elite athlete funding we are looking at ways at how we can now generate this machinery, for lack of a better word, that could prepare our athletes holistically and not just throwing funds into their pockets, but also the possibility of housing, preparation and the training that will accumulate into us being very prepared, as my good colleague from the TTOC coined the phrase to be podium ready,” said Sancho, adding that he plans to reveal that plan in another week or two.
On the elite athlete housing assistance issue, Sancho said while he understood Lewis’ frustration and that the culture of the country doesn’t place enough emphasis on sport, he is confident because all the parties involved are receptive to the idea.
“The receptive mess by all parties to make it a reality, as sport minister I am trying hard and want it done – the TTOC president wants it and a prime minister that is receptive to the idea speaks well for us moving forward,” Sancho said.
Sancho added that one of the other projects he is working on is a pilot project of a sports academy at the primary and secondary school level.
But Lewis is adamant the housing issue must come to the fore sooner rather than later.
“The aspirations of 10 or more Olympic Gold Medals by the year 2024 is a powerful motivating impetus,” Lewis said, “The TTOC is of the resolute view that the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago especially those who are giving their all in service of their country require support in a manner such as proposed. That the TTOC did not get the opportunity to present its case does not diminish in the view of the TTOC the merit of its efforts to get acceptance for the proposal.”
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He said the PP was the only Government that treated sports with respect.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
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Shake-Up In Sports Ministry.
By Rhondor Dowlat (Guardian).
Cabinet has given approval for major changes at the Ministry of Sport, including replacing Permanent Secretary Richard Oliver with Gillian Mc Intyre and transferring some departments to the Ministry of Education.
The Physical Education and Sport Division, with all its all coaches and sport officers has been transferred to the Ministry of Education, while facilities, indoor arenas, pools and district offices will now be under the purview of the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT).
Staff at the ministry told the T&T Guardian they are baffled at the changes. “The entire ministry is in a mess because staff from the other sections have no idea as to what they are supposed to do. The major department that they support is no longer a part of the ministry,” a member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“We have not been told about these changes and we find it distasteful and unfair by the minister himself. We wondering now what is next to go. Morale within the ministry is very low. Some of us don’t even feel like reporting to work anymore,” the staff member said. T&T Guardian obtained a copy of the Cabinet Minute No 1049 of May 7, 2015, which confirmed the transfer of positions from the staff establishment of the Ministry of Sport (Physical Education and Sport Division) to the staff establishment of the Ministry of Education.
Cabinet subsequently agreed to the transfer with immediate effect of a director of Physical Education and Sport, an assistant director, a physical education and sport officer II; seven physical education and sport officers I, two games coaches and several other members of staff.
Cabinet also agreed that the Ministry of Sport be the sole source for disbursement of grant funds to national sporting organisations, sport serving bodies and individuals. All requests for financial assistance for overseas travel in respect to sporting events must be submitted for the approval of Cabinet.
The note stated: “Cabinet is advised that the NPI Vote is budgeted to be $57 million for the current financial year. Approximately 70 per cent is expended on overseas travel, which is not related to international tournaments. The majority of requests are last minute submissions.
“In this regard, the Ministry of Sport proposes that all requests for grant funding should be submitted at least three months in advance of the event and that overseas travel must receive the approval of Cabinet. The Cabinet is also asked to note that a list of recipients and amounts received from the grant fund would be published annually,.”
The Ministry of Sport will be responsible for payment of salaries and related costs for permanent, temporary, and contract staff transferred to the Ministry of Education and the SporTT for the remainder of the 2014/2015 financial year. A framework of rules to guide the decision making of the Grant Fund Committee is being finalised and will be presented to Cabinet in the revised National Sports Policy
Contacted yesterday for comment, Minister of Sport Brent Sancho said the changes, although approved by Cabinet, are currently on hold. “We are going to head there but we will need to have proper dialogue because we are looking to revamp and relook at sport policies and structure. We are still sculpting what the ministry will look like. We have to find a way to generate an income through sports as well,” he said.
Sancho said the changes are necessary because a Sporting Academy is to be established under the Ministry of Education. He said the replacement of Richard Oliver as Permanent Secretary was done through the Office of the Prime Minister. “Mr Oliver has served his time as PS and we thank him for that but now Gillian has started off and she has already hit the ground running,” he said.
Coaches needed in schools
The Ministry of Sport has reported the success of the sporting coaching programme in schools to which coaches are assigned. It was determined that there would be a greater impact if there was more direct access to children in primary and secondary schools. These programmes can be better monitored by the Ministry of Education where principals and administrators can have an input into management, supervision and evaluation.
There is an increasing demand for coaching services outside the more popular sporting disciplines, which can be better introduced in the school system. In addition, foreign coaches would be better utilised in unearthing and developing talent in the school system.
At present, the Ministry of Education has requested coaches in 11 sporting disciplines to facilitate programmes in 139 secondary schools and 468 primary Schools. It is estimated that a minimum of 30 additional coaches would be required for a start-up of the additional planned programmes
The Ministry of Sport proposes to partner with the SporTT to design and implement programmes to develop coaches to a certified standard.
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Discussion on i95.5 right now regarding the MoS and the above article.
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Discussion on i95.5 right now regarding the MoS and the above article.
And Sancho covered this in his interview with Baptiste on Saturday evening.
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Discussion on i95.5 right now regarding the MoS and the above article.
Forgot to listen but its probably for the best.....I would have been hard pressed to keep from throwing up. I've lost all respect for Sancho......
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Forgot to listen but its probably for the best.....I would have been hard pressed to keep from throwing up. I've lost all respect for Sancho......
FS is Sancho clean up man... yuh shoulda still listen.
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He didn't fire nobody, he shuffle them up, nothing wrong with that.
Still doh like de f00cker though.
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Sancho is one big waste man. Gone down in my estimation and ent no better than Tim Kee. All ah dem is self serving imps!
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Jack call up SIS plenty plenty in his press conference... minutes ago
pure bacchanal.
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Jack call up SIS plenty plenty in his press conference... minutes ago
pure bacchanal.
Why yuh posting about SIS in a thread about Sancho?? :whistling: :whistling:
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He didn't fire nobody, he shuffle them up, nothing wrong with that.
Still doh like de f00cker though.
think about it Sam...why de shuffle? cause when de PP lose election dey people will still be in critical positions within the varois Ministeries.
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He didn't fire nobody, he shuffle them up, nothing wrong with that.
Still doh like de f00cker though.
think about it Sam...why de shuffle? cause when de PP lose election dey people will still be in critical positions within the varois Ministeries.
How you know they're "dey people"? And if they were, why move them at all?
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Sancho: Sports ministry changes necessary
By ASHFORD JACKMAN (Newsday).
CHANGE IS coming to the way sport is introduced and developed in the country, and the key element will not be the Sports Ministry, but rather the Ministry of Education.
Speaking with Newsday yesterday afternoon, Minister of Sport Brent Sancho confirmed that there is to be a new approach in seeking sporting excellence from the country’s talented athletes in every sport, but he also emphasised that most of what is being contemplated is still in the early stages of planning.
It was previously reported that Sport Ministry personnel, including coaches and sport officers had already been transferred to the Ministry of Education, and that morale was low as a result. Minister Sancho admitted changes were in the making, but he denied any major move had yet been made, saying plans were still being discussed and formulated. “That is not yet decided, but logistically, we would want that (coaches etc going to the Education Ministry),” he said.
“Everything is still at the embryonic stage. Sometimes change would bring fears, anxieties... but we have to start somewhere.”
Sancho said the concept of Education taking over certain aspects of operations that normally fall under the purview of the Sports ministry was born out of the need to meet the country’s athletic talent at an earlier age. “We are on the cusp of a ground-breaking formula. Our objective is to get closer contact with primary school students to play more sport,” he said, adding that as a result, the youngsters would benefit from advanced training in their chosen disciplines.
Among the initiatives would be the development of coaching programmes that would take young athletes from primary to secondary school. “We are not catching the athletes at a young enough age, before they develop bad habits,” the minister explained.
Sancho confirmed that as a result, there would eventually be a transfer of personnel to the Education Ministry, but the method was a long way from being worked out. “We got Cabinet approval to set up a steering committee to guide us through the process.” He also confirmed that a sporting academy was to be established; asked whether the University of Trinidad and Tobago would be involved, he answered, “It definitely won’t be part of UTT; it would be something separate and apart.
How I envisage it, we would start at a very young age.” Sancho expressed his personal conviction that this is the way forward for the country’s sporting future. “We have to recognise that sport is now a legitimate career path,” he concluded.
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Should there be a moratium on radical policy initiatives until after September 7? Should the Ministry, for the time being, focus on consolidating existing items that are not in controversy, and on pursuing radical initiatives upon re-election?
These are resource questions because of the costs associated with implementation and reversal of implementation.
Also, because campaigning has commenced, why not present proposed policy adjustments within the campaign discussion ... rather than to embark on change itself. Subject the ideas to vetting. Sustainable ideas stand the test of time.
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Sancho is one big waste man. Gone down in my estimation and ent no better than Tim Kee. All ah dem is self serving imps!
CO-SIGNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
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Sancho is one big waste man. Gone down in my estimation and ent no better than Tim Kee. All ah dem is self serving imps!
CO-SIGNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Out of curiosity, what exactly has Sancho done to go down in your estimation other than represent a government that you don't care for?
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Sancho: We must fight fire with fire in Guatemala.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Former national defender Brent Sancho is warning against being fooled by the good performances and impressive results the T&T ‘Soca Warriors’ have had in the past, saying the coming World Cup qualifying encounter against Guatemala in Guatemala will be a “different kettle of fish.”
The Soca Warriors left yesterday afternoon for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they will have a training camp before whisking out on November 11 for their match two days later.
The T&T teams is coming off two favourable results at international friendly matches; a 4-4 draw with Concacaf giants Mexico and a 2-1 victory over Panama in Panama City followed two 90-minute periods of impressive football. But Sancho, a former Minister of Sport, is echoing similar sentiments like national coach Stephen Hart, that Guatemala will be no easy encounter.
Sancho explained yesterday that the team will definitely do well but it will all depend on the back five’s ability to compose themselves and keep possession of the ball.
He said if the back five defenders are able to keep their calm and possess the ball then it will take a lot of pressure off the midfielders because the Guatemalans will be coming all-out to unsettle the T&T team from early. “The backbone of any solid team starts from the ability of its defence to function under pressure and start new attacks,” Sancho said.
The T&T lads will face an extremely hostile environment, come Friday. Sancho is predicting that if the players can eliminate the 13th man, which is the crowd support, it will make matters simpler for them.
According to Sancho: “Apart from the hostile environment, it is critical that the team does not concede an early goal because that will destroy their game early. We need to possess the ball and not allow the hype of the Guatemalans to get the better of us. The first ten to 15 minutes will be particularly crucial for us and we must use that time to match-up with our counterparts who will be coming hard at us. We must fight fire with fire and not allow them to build any momentum.”
He told the T&T Guardian he was encouraged by the performances in the past but it has not left him confident that T&T will qualify for the World Cup. “All those matches and results account for nothing right now. What is important is our approach, our strategy and our performance on the day of matches that will determine the outcome” he said.
He noted, however, that he has been particularly encouraged by the team’s ability to play under pressure. “The ability of the team to perform as underdogs under coach Hart is an excellent factor to have now.”
Meanwhile, Sancho is impressing the need for the “Soca Warriors” to get a result from this encounter. Quizzed if we should look for at least one point, he said “You do not go into matches looking for a draw. If the game ends that way it will be good but we must believe that we can get full three points and go after it.”
He also feels that the time has come for the T&T team to be a force at home. He said the T&T team in the past has done better on the road but we were not an intimidating force when we are at home. “This is something we must work on. Teams must know that we are no push-over at home. I can tell you that a result in our second game against the United States will depend largely on how we do against Guatemala,” Sancho said.
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13th man, which is the crowd support
I believe he meant the 12th man .... we not playing Canadian Football with 12 players on the field.
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Crouch really pull he hair too hard yes...sancho still talking shitttttt
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Apart from the 13th man, I think he talking sense.
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Apart from the 13th man, I think he talking sense.
He is, Guatemala in Guatemala for a WCQ is a different kettle of fish, a very hostile environment.
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Sancho make sense about not letting them score early, they will be coming out, but they could only play with what they have, we need to be smart and also take our chances.
Remember El Salvador when we had them 2-0 half time and they come back and wok. Ah think Stern John did score, game ended 2-2 in 2009. So we have to use we brain on them and at de same time put it on them early and control de game.
Ah missin meh boy Football Supporter.
Come back bra.
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Sancho make sense about not letting them score early, they will be coming out, but they could only play with what they have, we need to be smart and also take our chances.
Remember El Salvador when we had them 2-0 half time and they come back and wok. Ah think Stern John did score, game ended 2-2 in 2009. So we have to use we brain on them and at de same time put it on them early and control de game.
Ah missin meh boy Football Supporter.
Come back bra.
He correct about that...but he is still a imps...especially implying that we not Russia 2018 bound....must be because he not on the team...