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Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on April 11, 2017, 01:38:10 AM

Title: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 11, 2017, 01:38:10 AM
FIFA President in T&T – Ato Boldon Stadium announced as Home for Football.
TTFA Media.


The official visit to this country by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as guest of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association grabbed the headlines in the local media on Monday and Tuesday.

Infantilo arrived at the Piarco International Airport shortly after 10am and was welcomed off the private jet by TTFA President David John Williams and members of the Executive along with Minister of Sport Darryl Smith. And following a short arrival ceremony at the Diplomatic Lounge, he headed to Port of Spain in six-car convoy for meetings with the President of the Republic, His Excellency Anthony Carmona and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as members of FIFA,TTFA and the Government also had lunch together at the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Lounge in St Ann’s, Port of Spain.

This was followed by a Press Conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium which preceded a goodwill football match at the Couva venue.

“The T&T Football Association has finally gotten a home of its own. Yesterday this was confirmed at a press conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva,” the Guardian wrote.

Infantino and Minister Smith turned the sod on the North Greens at Ato Boldon Stadium to officially begin the construction process of a building where the business of football will soon be transacted, 109 years after the TTFA was formed.

Infantino said it was a moment to celebrate that after so many years the TTFA has finally got a home of its own, noting that a home is not just the building or the four walls, but a home is a place where you can go back and resource yourself and think about the future. “Well now the T&TFA has a home and can channel and structure that great passion that exists for football here in this great country.”

The FIFA football boss congratulated Government for its support towards the sport, noting that he has observed football pitches everywhere, youngsters playing everywhere, as well as the passion the country has for the sport, which is a main ingredient needed to build a new football organisation. Funding for the project was made available courtesy a joint initiative by the FIFA and the SporTT. The new home at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva will enable the national team access to training and play matches at the nearby Stadium as well as training facilities.

However, matches will still be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium which has been the country’s main home ground for international matches.

Infantino explained that like the TTFA, the FIFA has got to put the business of football first, which was sadly lacking in the past. He pointed out that when we work we have to adhere to good ethical standards and apply good governance standards as well as accountability and transparency, saying they too at FIFA have to be accountable for what they do. “And if we do that we can focus on what we have to do, which is playing football, living football, breathing football and developing football. This will help associations such as the TTFA to improve football” Infantino said.

John-Williams mentioned that the TTFA has made tremendous strides in restructuring and developing the game since they entered office and the new home for the TTFA will be another deliverable. He told a large gathering that his TTFA has made available audited financial statements to the FIFA which was a requirement to receiving funding from the FIFA, as well as initiated the development of a National Elite Youth League.

Smith congratulated the TTFA for following the FIFA in its operation which focuses on transparency, saying there has been a clear effort by both Infantino and John Williams to clean up corruption in football, noting that government has taken a page in this approach to stamp out corruption, saying they have been doing their best to put policies in place to deal with sport.

RELATED NEWS

A home for football at last.
By Walter ALibey (Guardian).


The T&T Football Association has finally gotten a home of its own. Yesterday this was confirmed at a press conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino, director of Caribbean Football at Concacaf Horace Reid, T&T Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, TTFA president David John-Williams, chairman of the Sport Company Michael Phillips and a wide cross section of the football fraternity that included national coach Dennis Lawrence and his assistant Stern John, Carolina Morace- the TT Women’s coach and Russell Latapy among others.

Infantino and Minister Smith turned the sod on an empty piece of land alongside the Ato Boldon Stadium to officially begin the construction process of a building where the business of football will soon be transacted, 109 years after the TTFA was formulated.

Infantino said it was a moment to celebrate that after so many years the TTFA has finally got a home of its own, noting that a home is not just the building or the four walls, but a home is a place where you can go back and resource yourself and think about the future. “Well now the T&TFA has a home and can channel and structure that great passion that exists for football here in this great country.”

The FIFA football boss congratulated Government for its support towards the sport, noting that he has observed football pitches everywhere, youngsters playing everywhere, as well as the passion the country has for the sport, which is a main ingredient needed to build a new football organisation. Funding for the project was made available courtesy a joint initiative by the FIFA and the SporTT. The new home at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva will enable the national team access to training and play matches at the nearby Stadium as well as training facilities.

However, matches will still be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium which has been the country’s main home ground for international matches.

Infantino explained that like the TTFA, the FIFA has got to put the business of football first, which was sadly lacking in the past. He pointed out that when we work we have to adhere to good ethical standards and apply good governance standards as well as accountability and transparency, saying they too at FIFA have to be accountable for what they do. “And if we do that we can focus on what we have to do, which is playing football, living football, breathing football and developing football. This will help associations such as the TTFA to improve football” Infantino said.

John-Williams boasted that his association has made tremendous strides in restructuring and developing the game since they entered office and the new home for the TTFA will be another deliverable. He told a large gathering that his TTFA has made available audited financial statements to the FIFA which was a requirement to receiving funding from the FIFA, as well as initiated the development of a National Elite Youth League. He also announced that his association is on the verge of securing the right to host the Under-20 World Cup Qualifiers in January.

Smith congratulated the TTFA for following the FIFA in its operation which focuses on transparency, saying there has been a clear effort by both Infantino and John Williams to clean up corruption in football, noting that government has taken a page in this approach to stamp out corruption, saying they have been doing their best to put policies in place to deal with sport.

Infantino arrived in T&T yesterday morning and has been a guest of President Anthony Carmona and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MG_1015-1024x683.jpg)

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MG_1020-1024x683.jpg)

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MG_1095_new-1024x683.jpg)

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Sam on April 11, 2017, 06:09:48 AM
So we need Infantino to fly from Europe to our own Country and we own Stadium just to tell we Ato Boldon Stadium is we new home.... what a bunch of horse shit. De Stadium own by T&T government and big belly Darryl Smith is de MoS, he needed Infantino to tell him give T&T football de stadium? Darrly Smith will soon be gone, ah cah wait, what a waste

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on April 11, 2017, 06:36:40 AM
So we need Infantino to fly from Europe to our own Country and we own Stadium just to tell we Ato Boldon Stadium is we new home.... what a bunch of horse shit. De Stadium own by T&T government and big belly Darryl Smith is de MoS, he needed Infantino to tell him give T&T football de stadium? Darrly Smith will soon be gone, ah cah wait, what a waste



I hope Lookloy give Infanto  the document from the Super League, and he in turn make DJW sign it. Then this trip would be worthwhile.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Sam on April 13, 2017, 04:38:28 AM
So where W Connection home games will be played now?

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on April 13, 2017, 04:51:29 AM
So where W Connection home games will be played now?



At the new DJW-Infantino Center for Excellence at Ato Bolden Stadium.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Cowen on April 13, 2017, 05:20:40 AM
So where W Connection home games will be played now?



Home of the NT is HC Stadium.
Home of the TTFA is AB Stadium
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: maxg on April 13, 2017, 05:43:05 AM
Carolina brakes the slide tackle or wha  :laugh:
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: soccerman on April 13, 2017, 07:51:39 AM
Smith congratulated the TTFA for following the FIFA in its operation which focuses on transparency, saying there has been a clear effort by both Infantino and John Williams to clean up corruption in football, noting that government has taken a page in this approach to stamp out corruption, saying they have been doing their best to put policies in place to deal with sport.
:o
Anyway the fella in the back row, center in red, posing like Ruud Gullit.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on April 14, 2017, 01:47:48 AM
Aimar says T&T football centre is vital.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).


Former Argentina international player Pablo Aimar had a message for all footballers in T&T before he departed our shores following a short visit as a FIFA legend alongside President Gianni Infantino on Monday.

“Make full use of the opportunities that will come your way,’ Aimar said in an interview on Tuesday morning before he departed Piarco Airport.

Aimar and former Colombian international Juan Pablo Angel visited the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva for TTFA Press Conference and Goodwill football match. Both played for the FIFA/TTFA team which ran out 6-0 winners over a Government/Sportt outfit. He was there to witness the announcement by Minister of Sport Darryl Smith and TTFA President David John-Williams of the sport new home of football with the establishment of a national football centre. This was also endorsed by Infantino with the creation to be part of the FIFA Goal Project.

“Having the National Development Centre will be brilliant for football in Trinidad y Tobago. You can see in other countries how important it is and now for your association and with he help of FIFA, you can turn it into something great for the game here. This will be beautiful for the players and the national teams to have now in your country,” the 37-year-old Aimar added.

“It is everyone’s dream to become great or to have a good life and football can do this for you. Now there is a chance for that dream to become closer for many of the people,” said the former River Plate player.

(http://www.guardian.co.tt/sites/default/files/field/image/Infantino_plays.png)
Pablo Aimar, centre, comes under challengefrom T&T's legend Russell Latapy with FIFA President Gianni Infantino providing support during Monday's Goodwill football match at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Photo by Nicholas Williams.

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: AB.Trini on April 14, 2017, 04:52:05 AM
This  is all well and nice but what ever happened to the House that " Jack" built? Aka The Center of Excellence? 
Couldwhat we are seeing here is another Mansion for DJW? 
Both the gifts from FIFA?  Did the Center for Excellence came after narrowly missing WC playoffs? Ummm wondering how much of the " sell out " theory is manifesting itself in different ways?

Is like the more things change the more they look the same - strange paradox! BTW whatever is happening to the " special Advisor?" The architect on how to turn football into a profitable venture and live comfortably with millions at ones disposal?
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Sam on April 14, 2017, 05:07:11 AM
Wait, I miss something??

What football centre they talking about?

They going and modify de Ato Boldon Stadium?

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on April 14, 2017, 05:16:06 AM
Wait, I miss something??

What football centre they talking about?

They going and modify de Ato Boldon Stadium?



No. They going to build some practice facilities next to the ATO Boldon. There is space around the stadium. The government granted(I think) the land for TTFA to build a training center. So I far as the terms are, this supposed to be the TT National Teams(plural with an "S") training center, and NOT( and I say NOT) DJohn Williams center of excellence. So let's see where the trail leads.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on April 16, 2017, 06:02:46 AM
Football icons foresee benefits of National Training Centre.
TTFA Media.


Lawrence, Gally, Latapy talk about Gains of National Centre

Following the recent announcement that the Ato Boldon Stadium will be transformed to the Home of Trinidad and Tobago Football with the establishment of a National Training Centre, a few former and current national team coaches and players have tipped their hats on the revelation by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.

The news which was revealed by Sports Minister Darryl Roberts and TTFA President David John-Williams, and endorsed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was the top of the agenda on the visit by the FIFA chief last week.

“This has been a long time coming. It is the best thing that can happen for football in Trinidad and Tobago,” Everald “Gally” Cummings told TTFA Media.

“We need to accept and understand our way of doing things and why it is important  and I think this establishment will allow us to do this. Something like this I felt should have been there since the days when myself, Dick Furlonge, Leroy De Leon, Jan Steadman and the Dupreys were playing the game. People were saying these boys should be kept together in a training environment. Even though we all ended up playing on the national team, we did it the hard way by working on our own and playing in the North American Soccer League back then.

“But now it seems to be coming to fruition which I commend the FA for. Hopefully for this generation the national training centre will make things a bit more easier for them,” Cummings said.

“This will now allow our players to be housed and trained regularly, coaching courses can take place more than normal because in my days I had to travel to Europe and South America to get my licences and now coaches will have the chance to undergo similar courses right here at home,” said Cummings.

He also commended the TTFA for its intentions of also establishing a national football museum. “I want to commend the TTFA for this. I also heard that there were images of our past and present teams and players put up in the corridors of the dressing rooms at the National Stadium which is a good start because we need to remember and highlight our own before waiting for others to do it,” he said.

Current national team head coach Dennis Lawrence also spoke on the “Home of football” having come from an environment at Everton and Wigan Athletic where the various facilities for development are a norm and recognising now that the TTFA will  try to create a similar environment in Couva.

“To have a national training centre, infact a home for football, allows you to firstly be able to plan and also deliver,” Lawrence said.

“It also allows work to be done in a constructive way, allowing the players to be focused without distractions  and therefore I think it’s an amazing accomplishment that Trinidad & Tobago football can only benefit from,” added the former Wrexham man.

Russell Latapy, currently the head coach of the T&T Under 17 and Under 15 Men’s Team, also played under “Gally” in the mid to late 80s but entered a professional environment at club level when he moved to Portugal to join Academica in the early 90s. Throughout his illustrious career as a player and then as a coach, Latapy has spent most of his football hours at advanced centres.

“A national training centre is vital and essential in my view for us to get back to that place where I think we should be in Caribbean football and then look to reach higher in Concacaf,” Latapy said.

“It would be a place where we can house, feed and teach our kids the right things that would help to change the way they think about the game. We can have the kids in there every weekend which gives the coaches more time to work with them. We can do a session or two in the week which will help the players to also concentrate  on their education at school and then have them come in on the weekends with two sessions and maybe a game on the weekend. This will definitely be  welcomed for the benefit of our game. This will give our young men the opportunity to have a proper chance of playing professionally and changing their lives,” Latapy said.

More on the National training centre will be revealed in due course with some of the plans including the laying down of new natural grass and artificial training pitches, accommodation for residential training camps, Coach Education facilities, Indoor Gym and Rehab facilities, Administrative offices and Meeting Rooms and Facilities for Press events among other football development items which will be installed in phases.

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on July 22, 2017, 01:51:14 AM
Cabinet approves land for TTFA Home of Football.
TTFA Media.


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association is pleased to announce that Cabinet this week approved lands in the vicinity of the Ato Boldon Stadium for lease to the TTFA for the Home of Football.

After over 100 years of not having a home, the TTFA is much closer to realising the dream of having its own Training and Technical Centre in the not too distant future. Together with being compliant with the requirements of FIFA, the FA will now pursue in earnest the development of its Technical Centre in the shortest possible time.

The TTFA will like to thank the Prime Minister,  and his Cabinet and by extension the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the support it has given to the TTFA over the past 12 months.

The first phase of the Home of Football will include the construction of player accommodations, two additional training pitches  to be flood-lit together with ancillary facilities and a beach soccer pitch. The second phase will include four additional pitches comprising of both artificial and natural grass surfaces and a futsal court.

Additionally, the TTFA has received approval from FIFA to restart the Income Generation Project which was stalled under the previous administration.

This project will now be of a different nature as proposed by the new TTFA administration and approved by FIFA and will take the form of an Entertainment and Sports Bar and Restaurant project at the Home of Football. This income generation project will capture not only the patrons who attend local and international events at the state of the art Cycling Velodrome and Aquatic Centre and the nearby National Cricket Centre but also other guests who may chose to experience all attractions at the Home of Football.

This is a key step towards the FA’s strive to be self-sustainable and to raise additional revenue that will assist in the development of our country’s football which is so badly needed.

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Sando on July 22, 2017, 09:10:22 AM
Nice, glad to see they trying new stuff to with the bar and the restaurant instead of just looking for handout.

But time will tell if it will ever materialize.

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on September 08, 2017, 04:44:46 PM
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21463187_1214548268690404_1469569111969751820_n.jpg?oh=3bbab78e887528c7546fbe19a70fa0db&oe=5A55EA2F)
Ato Boldon Stadium today

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on September 09, 2017, 06:21:25 AM
"Great "engineering. Who designed the stadium. Local or foreign.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Sam on September 09, 2017, 06:39:42 AM
Jack Warner son won all the contract to build them for stadium in 2001

Water more than flour, no drainage.



Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on September 09, 2017, 07:17:54 AM
That is also a boo for T&F.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on October 22, 2017, 01:41:55 AM
Stadia affected by heavy rainfall.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


THE pair of sporting stadia, in Couva (Ato Boldon) and Marabella (Manny Ramjohn), have been affected by the persistent rainfall which have left parts of Trinidad under water for the past few days.

Kairon Serrette, facilities manager at the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT), pointed out that the National Cycling Centre and the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva were both untroubled by the constant showers.

But the neighbouring Ato Boldon Stadium’s main and training fields have been closed for a week due to wear and tear caused by a number of downpours during this month.

The stadium was in the news for the wrong reasons on October 9 when photos of its waterlogged athletic track was shown globally, via mainstream media and social media, by the United States Soccer Federation.

Concerning the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Serrette said, “the stadium’s management was a little concerned about the amount of games and the (inclement) weather. They may move some matches as a result.”

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on October 22, 2017, 02:13:33 AM
“the stadium’s management was a little concerned about the amount of games and the (inclement) weather. They may move some matches as a result.”

I hope the training center has an auxilliary field with a turf field playing surface.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: maxg on October 22, 2017, 12:02:09 PM
Yeah, if not make some. No matter the country flooding and ppl living quarters partly underwater, build a next stadium and full the seats for football. That should take their minds off their troubles. ::)
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on January 11, 2018, 03:33:30 AM
TTFA gets thumbs up from Sports Minister on Home of Football progress.
TTFA Media.


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association received a welcomed visit from Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith as he and other officials of the Sportt Company, Sport Ministry and the TTFA conducted a site visit of the TTFA Home of Football in Couva on Wednesday.

TTFA President David John-Williams used the opportunity to show some of the upgrades made at the venue including improvements to the playing field’s drainage system and the progress of the construction of the training fields. There will be a total of six training fields at the home of football upon completion.

The main field is currently undergoing work and is expected to be in prime condition for next Thursday’s opening double header of the CONCACAF Under 20 Women’s Championship with T&T facing Haiti at 7:30pm and Canada taking on Costa Rica from 5pm. The new digital scoreboard installed by the TTFA will also be unveiled for the first time for international competition next Thursday.

Minister Smith expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far and the discussions held with TTFA officials and Sportt led by chairman Dinanath Ramnarine. He also pledged the Ministry’s support towards the upcoming CONCACAF Under 20 Women’s championship which will see seven nations join the hosts in the battle for three qualifying spots from January 18-28 for the 2018 FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup in France.

“ Congratulations to TTFA. It is fantastic to see from paper work to reality. We did a walk through today with Sportt Company, Ministry and TTFA where we visited a number of the sites where work has started. The fields are up and we are looking at finalising where the Sportel and the entertainment centre is going. Work is well on its way and I am happy for the aspect of it,” Smith told TTFA Media.

“But also more importantly I am hoping that all of Trinidad and Tobago comes out next Thursday and support our Lady Warriors who will be doing battle in the CONCACAF Under 20 Championship. I think we have very good chances and I am hoping we can go on to qualify for a Women’s World Cup for the first time. The field looks immaculate and we are doing some sprucing up of the facility.

“We are hoping that corporate Trinidad and Tobago comes on board as well but at $40 for double headers for that period of time, I think Trinidad and Tobago needs that twelfth man and I am hoping we get that support.

“I am very optimistic. What I am very proud of with TTFA is this home of football is going to be one of the pure homes of football where the three different types of football will be played and not much other facilities in the world have that and this will be there along with the gyms and other facilities. So Trinidad and Tobago is pushing forward with sport and you will hear more pretty soon about how we are going to maximize this for it to be the sporting capital of the region.”

Video - Sports Minister conducts site visit at TTFA Home of Football (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IutTO68yGKk)

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: maxg on January 11, 2018, 05:51:16 PM
smh.. Can barely maintain, but we can build. Spoke to the maintenance crew at CCCan last year. 4 ppl to do cleaning the whole pool building during and after events, 2 guys and 2 girls. They had to lift and carry the garbage over 500 yards away. I counted 8 administrators in the office, awaiting questions and to provide service. Build. how the Lara build going.
ps: the maintenance staff and security personnel did and wanted to say more, but asked me to keep things on the low, as they were afraid of losing their jobs. I already gave the story about the police checkpoint .

ref: http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=1508.msg975722#msg975722
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 11, 2018, 06:42:14 PM
The general appearance of the stadia are still good. But more needs to to done so they don't lag behind. Look at the athletics track at Ato. The red on the track fading to black. Do the athletes in Central train on that track?  Honestly I am glad they were built. It is just that football is in a mess. And it does not help when there is wanton and deliberate murders in the country. Tell me, who in their right will go to support the village team when upon returning home from an enjoyable evening of football, you and your friends are accosted by the village(idiot) predator and killed for fun. I honestly think football is being hurt by the crime within the community that plays most of the football. They could do all the fixing they want. That crime rate has to go down.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: maxg on January 11, 2018, 09:57:51 PM
Deeks, remember one of my 1st post ever about the problem with our football being a socio-economic issue? Many laughed, some got derisive, some discussed and some debated. We needing to fix our public issues to improve our game. Then we went WC , the big fete and many ppl forget our problems and issues, and didn’t give a flyin fack bout nothing else. The problems grew and festered, and now out of control. Yet we may lose a limb, but can save the rest of the body, we can still have a decent life, even if we might be slightly defected, we can still do things, be respected and proud. But we can’t have our cake and eat it too. We have to focus on repairing our society and not be distracted by the short term goals and achievements. I don’t need no put on back for calling it, cause that don’t fix. We need to discuss, unite and then act. Our lsociety ike our football today, we can wait for others to fix, and cuss them and everyone else when it isn’t.
We have to choose from where and what approach to start the treatment, but we have to give up something and it won’t be fun. Some friends and family would have to be given up, some might be able to be saved. We will have to sacrifice some and sacrifice ourselves . We have to find leaders and give our lives for them. We still may not be ready.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on March 31, 2018, 05:14:59 AM
Update on TTFA Home of Football Project.
TTFA Media.


As a matter of public interest here is an update on the TTFA Home of Football project.

In August 2017 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago approved a long awaited request, when it granted 7.64 hectors of land to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association in order to establish a home for football.

The land is separated into three main parcels, one located in close proximity to the National Cycling Center and two west of the Ato Boldon Stadium.The association quickly mobilized in order to make this distant dream a reality and got approval from FIFA for the ‘go ahead’ in September with the official Sod Turning ceremony being held on September 29.

After countless brainstorming and planning sessions the plans for various aspects of the project were approved and sent to Town and Country Planning for final approval on the building projects which finally came in February 2018.

At the time of this update, two new training fields are 90% completed and the foundation has been laid for the Athletes Accommodation facility. The “Income Generation Project” (which include, small goal pitches, the Beach Football pitch as well as the bar and recreational area) 50% completed.

With offices for the TTFA, TT Pro League, TT Super League, SSFL, WoLF and Referees’ Department already relocated or established at the Ato Boldon Stadium, The Home of Football is now a reality.

Video - Update on the TTFA Home of Football (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n07izDpX1F8)

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/site1.jpg)

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/site3-1024x576.jpg)
One of the new training pitches at right next to the existing training pitch at the Ato Boldon Stadium, TTFA Home of Football.Photo/TTFA

(http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/site2-1024x576.jpg)
Site for the Beach Soccer Pitch, Recreation and Entertainment Centre, Restaurant and Additional training pitch. Photo at top of page shows the site for the Player Accommodation Hotel.

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on May 10, 2018, 12:42:13 AM
Nepfer sees benefits of National Training Centre and Home of Football.
TTFA Media.


FIFA head of technical development services Jurg Nepfer sees the establishment of a national training centre as significantly beneficial towards the development of local football in the future.

Nepfer was speaking while in Port of Spain on Tuesday for the ongoing FIFA Technical Directors Course for member associations at the Hilton, Trinidad and Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“ Each federation should have a national technical centre in place. It’s like the home of local football where they can have all their activities, they can have training camps, grassroots activities, youth football, coach education,” Nepfer said.

“I think it is important that each federation should have an identification not only a home of football,a headquarters of a federation but also a national technical centre which also speaks for the image of an association, Of course it gives a lot of opportunity to a federation to do a lot of the activities at the same place. Of course we are supporting very much that each federation has technical centre and we have our programmes in place to assist the federations financially in order to construct such a centre,” said Nepfer.

Also speaking this week at the start of the course was CONCACAF Director of Development Jason Roberts who lauded the collaboration efforts of FIFA and CONCACAF.

“I think the ongoing work that is being done by our technical directors and the subsequent support you are receiving from FIFA is hugely important. We all know as people operating at this level of football that the plans and technical information being passed down is hugely important. I think this programme working with local people from the Confederation in association with the Confederation and working with people like Anton Corneal, Lenny Lake and Rodrigo Kenton, people who know this region is a big focus for us and a big advantage for us,” Roberts added.

The former Grenada international said he was encouraged by the Confederation being able to utilise experts from the region alongside those of FIFA.

Among the topics will be the roles and responsibilities of a technical director, Report of Training analysis, reporting of match training analysis and coach education  analysis among other items There are practical and theoretical sessions foreseen. Importance will be given to the practical sessions on days 1 to 3, which are:The organization of a youth match;
 The visit of the training of one of these two teams;
 A session on coaching education as part of your coaching education system.

Videos

Nepfer tells of benefits of a National Training Centre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4maX5CcNs)

One on One with Jurg Nepfer, Head of FIFA Technical Development Services (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G_oJhWTlhg)

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on May 10, 2018, 08:54:00 AM
I am almost sure most on the forum don't have any problem with this facility. Most or all think it is long overdue. The problem is transparency. All the major infrastructure projects always or always appear to have "rachifee" in the process. George V park stadium project 30 years ago, Caroni Racing complex, Lara stadium, Napa, Tobago hospital, housing, etc, etc. DJW and FIFA seems to be hiding things. No bidding for contracts. Yes, we glad for these thingS. But forumites, beggars can't be choosers. Take what you get.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on May 28, 2018, 04:52:59 AM
https://www.youtube.com/v/X3letTItMss

https://www.youtube.com/v/stnn30eD5UM
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Thomo on May 28, 2018, 05:22:28 AM
So DJW waited until days before the AGM to release these videos on his own personal YouTube channel rather than the TTFA's to apparently drum up support for himself and his regime? And this man expects respect and no criticism? Smfh
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on May 31, 2018, 12:39:33 AM
Final call for info on Home of Football.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


THE members of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) plan to make a final call for information pertaining to contractual deals and payments from the Home for Football project at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

The TTFA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was scheduled to take place at 9am yesterday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, was postponed to June 13 due to the lack of a quorum. At least 24 delegates were required to be in attendance by 9.30 am for a quorum to be constituted. Only 21 members turned up and, in keeping with the TTFA constitution, it was confirmed that the meeting will be reconvened.

Yesterday’s meeting was expected to provide answers to numerous questions posed during an 11-hour-long AGM at the neighbouring National Cycling Centre on March 31. Among the issues raised were the Home of Football project, legal matters facing the local governing body by former coaches and administrators, and a media rights deal with local radio station I95.5 FM.

There were still some discussions over major issues yesterday which were chaired by TTFA first vice-president Ewing Davis, in the absence of president David John-Williams who is still on the mend after sustaining damaged ribs from a fall a few weeks ago.

According to Selby Browne, president of the Veterans Football Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT),

“Several contracts were entered into for which there were no evidence, there is no approval and therefore several payments and monies were made without the permission of the Board,” said Browne.

The VFFOTT head said if no information is forthcoming by the next meeting of the TTFA, members will explore all options including seeking help from the police.

Another matter was brought to the attention of the members in attendance yesterday.

According to Browne, “The president (John-Williams), general secretary (Justin Latapy-George) and vice-president (Davis) are all scheduled to travel to Moscow for (meetings) before the opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup — that is the norm.

“And it was to be determined if the medical certificate (for the TTFA president) was for a stipulated period, which we don’t have. If the president is unable to travel, that means (today’s) meeting should have been to direct the secretariat to name the person who will represent the TTFA and to direct the secretariat to write to both CONCACAF and the CFU.”

Browne added, “Since the meeting could not proceed without a quorum, the decision wasn’t taken but it was noted. The chairman agreed to have the secretary established the length of the certificate.”

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Brownsugar on May 31, 2018, 05:00:33 AM

The TTFA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was scheduled to take place at 9am yesterday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, was postponed to June 13 due to the lack of a quorum. At least 24 delegates were required to be in attendance by 9.30 am for a quorum to be constituted. Only 21 members turned up and, in keeping with the TTFA constitution, it was confirmed that the meeting will be reconvened.


Who were the 3 missing delegates I wonder??  :thinking:
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: maxg on May 31, 2018, 05:51:10 AM

The TTFA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was scheduled to take place at 9am yesterday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, was postponed to June 13 due to the lack of a quorum. At least 24 delegates were required to be in attendance by 9.30 am for a quorum to be constituted. Only 21 members turned up and, in keeping with the TTFA constitution, it was confirmed that the meeting will be reconvened.


Who were the 3 missing delegates I wonder??  :thinking:
This was to get quorum.i.e 24 is the minimum number, so way more than 3 missing. Could someone remind us on the total number of delegates, please.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on May 31, 2018, 09:19:59 AM
Perfect the farce. May the delays continue. The beatings should continue because morale won't improve.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on May 31, 2018, 10:25:18 AM
God forgive me for saying this. Them 3. They should shoot the muddier sc**thorpe.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: soccerman on May 31, 2018, 01:14:04 PM
Not surprised, he called the meeting on a national holiday. Was that by design :thinking:
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: FF on May 31, 2018, 01:21:55 PM
Don't frighten allyuh!!

https://wired868.com/2018/05/31/contemptuous-djw-skips-ttfa-egm-on-medical-advice-but-ticket-booked-for-russia/

Because the next meeting is a reconvened one, a quorum will be declared no matter who shows up. And, with John-Williams and his trusted deputy, Davis, both likely to be abroad, there is the possibility that rivals would use the opportunity to move motions damaging to his hold on the football body.

“Today signals the end of the John-Williams administration because that next meeting will see a whole series of things [moved against him],” said Look Loy. “[…] Because they could put the next meeting at midnight on the moon, we are coming!
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on July 13, 2018, 12:49:19 AM
John-Williams: FIFA pleased with Home of Football project.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


DAVID JOHN-Williams, president of the TTFA (TT Football Association), said yesterday that the global governing body for football, FIFA, is pleased with the work being at the Home of Football project at Balmain, Couva.

TTFA board member and TT Super League president Keith Look Loy has threatened to take John-Williams to court if he avoids a July 24 deadline to explain how much money was spent on the project.

Look Loy has also requested full disclosure on the names of all the companies/parties which submitted bids in connection with the project, the TTFA committee or official responsible for the selection for the contractor and any subcontractor either involved or will be involved; the name of the project manager; the names of the contractors and any subcontractors who have/will be involved; the value, duration and terms of all contracts, sub-contracts and/or any other instruments under which services are engaged and/or managed; and the current financial and construction status of the project.

The pre-action protocol letter was sent to John-Williams on Tuesday by Look Loy’s team of lawyers – Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle and Sheriza Khan.

The TT Government, in August 2017, approved the TTFA’s request to grant 7.64 hectors of land to establish a home of football.

According to John-Williams, “FIFA (came) here and (said) they were happy with the Home of Football, the progress and all the accountability.

“The TTFA reported that they got their second tranche of money from FIFA,” he added. “If your bank is giving you the money to continue, you must be doing something right and proper.”

A few TTFA board members have been calling on John-Williams to be transparent with regards to the FIFA funding being spent on the Couva project, including Selby Browne and Anthony Harford.

Asked for a response, John-Williams said, “I have absolutely no comment. Mr Look Loy has taken his action and I’ll respond at the appropriate time. All I’ll say is a couple months ago Mr Look Loy reported to the nation to brace for FIFA intervention. Was there any? That’s as much as I would comment.”

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on August 21, 2018, 03:36:19 AM
Sports Minister and FIFA Director of Development applauds progress of TTFA Home of Football.
TTFA Media.


The Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe made an official tour of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Home of Football site on Monday and declared that she was thoroughly impressed with the progress made thus far.

Cudjoe was joined by FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development for Africa and the Caribbean, Veron Mosengo-Omba and TTFA President David John-Williams. Other TTFA officials as well as Chairman of the Sportt Company Douglas Camacho was also part of the touring contingent.

See Clips below for the comments made by Minister Cudjoe, Mosengo-Omba and John-Williams at the Press Briefing following the site visit.

Sports Minister Cudjoe commends TTFA on Progress of Home of Football construction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13tydy26dFE)

Veron Mosengo-Omba talks about TTFA Home of Football progress (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8CvXezZZo8)

David John-Williams speak following Sports Minister's tour of Home of Football site (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0VhP2B8LeE)

Sports Minister Cudjoe and FIFA Director of Development get updated tour of Home of Football (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l5fCLjxZ3w)

RELATED NEWS

Sports Minister, FIFA official tour Home of Football.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


MINISTER of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe, and Veron Mosengo-Oba, FIFA’s director of Member Associations and Development for the Caribbean and Africa, yesterday embarked on a tour of the TT Football Association (TTFA) Home of Football site, in Balmain, Couva.

Also involved in the tour were TTFA president David John-Williams, chairman of the Sports Company of TT (SporTT) Douglas Camacho, men’s football team coach Dennis Lawrence and officials from both TTFA and Ministry of Sport.

The dignitaries got a close-up view of the Entertainment Centre, Bar and Restaurant location currently under construction, as well as the Player Accommodation Hotel site and training pitches.

A year ago, Government approved a long-awaited request when it granted 7.64 hectors of land to the TTFA. The land is separated into three main parcels, one located in close proximity to the National Cycling Centre and two west of the Ato Boldon Stadium. Work on the project got going in February.

In a telephone interview last evening, Cudjoe said, “It’s about 85 percent completed. It is an income-generation project. It’s something that I think the Government, the TTFA and FIFA should be proud of, to see public-private partnership working this way.

“This project is on course as it relates to budget and as it relates to time,” she added. “The possibilities are endless for this facility. I’m really happy to see this get off the ground.”

Mosengo-Oba said, “It’s a fantastic project. It’s important for the entire region. Congratulations, David and your executive. FIFA is behind you to complete this project.”

He also extended his gratitude for the TT Government for granting the lands to the TTFA for the Home of Football project.

Camacho was high in praise for the work done thus far at the venue.

“The pace at which they’ve been directing the facility as a great example of how, as a country, we can really operate if we put our minds to things,” said Camacho.

“The short while that they’ve been at it, and how they’ve progressed to this (stage) is quite extraordinary. It’s long overdue that somebody would have had the foresight and the courage.”

Referring to the neighbouring venues, National Aquatic Centre and National Cricket Centre, Camacho said, “It’s ideally situated to (push) sport tourism. I think there (are) very great positives.”

The SporTT chairman noted, “It’s the kind of facility that can be self-sustaining, if well-managed, and it will redound to the benefit of all the sports.

“I think it’s a very positive and progressive step, and I really welcome it as chairman of SporTT and as a sportsman in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Asked if the Sports Company will be involved in the project, Camacho replied, “It is not the Sports Company’s project. FIFA is financing it.

“The people with the responsibility for the lease and the ownership of it are interested. And, so far, they’ve reached out to the Sports Company, and reached out to me personally, to get involved and help develop it. I’m certainly prepared to play any part, in which I could play.”

Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on August 21, 2018, 06:33:51 AM
Everybody only talking sports tourism. Where is the impetus to make our athletes competitive on the world stage.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: soccerman on August 21, 2018, 06:47:35 PM
Is the Center of Excellence used for anything? I don't seem to recall any games being played there.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Deeks on August 21, 2018, 08:58:17 PM
Is the Center of Excellence used for anything? I don't seem to recall any games being played there.

I think, they still playing football there. I don't think any of the pro-teams playing there, though. But there are conference rooms that are used for other activities.
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: amielisadore on August 21, 2018, 11:20:27 PM
Is the Center of Excellence used for anything? I don't seem to recall any games being played there.

Marvin Lee Stadium is now ML Ballpark and is the premier "sweating" arena in the country at the moment. From their 7 a side competitions (the field accommodates 4 fields with separator nets), to 11 a side fete match leagues and numerous other similar competitions. There is also a pitch side deck, bar, cafeteria, tvs, table tennis boards and other games.

https://www.facebook.com/MLballparktt/ (https://www.facebook.com/MLballparktt/)
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: soccerman on August 22, 2018, 07:21:34 PM
Is the Center of Excellence used for anything? I don't seem to recall any games being played there.

Marvin Lee Stadium is now ML Ballpark and is the premier "sweating" arena in the country at the moment. From their 7 a side competitions (the field accommodates 4 fields with separator nets), to 11 a side fete match leagues and numerous other similar competitions. There is also a pitch side deck, bar, cafeteria, tvs, table tennis boards and other games.

https://www.facebook.com/MLballparktt/ (https://www.facebook.com/MLballparktt/)
:beermug:
Title: Re: Ato Boldon Stadium Thread
Post by: Flex on August 23, 2018, 12:45:52 AM
Shamfa stays out of Home of Football controversy.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


Amidst calls for transparency and accountability…

AMIDST calls for transparency and accountability in the TT Football Association’s (TTFA) Home of Football project, Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe yesterday stressed that Government’s only role in the enterprise was “simply to provide the land”.

On Monday, Cudjoe and Veron Mosengo-Oba, FIFA’s director of member associations and development for the Caribbean and Africa, joined officials from the TTFA and the Sports Company of TT (SporTT) on a site visit in Balmain, Couva. The Home of Football will include a 72-room hotel, training pitches and an entertainment centre. The sod for the project was turned in September 2017 and will be completed this year. FIFA has funded the Home of Football project to the tune of US$2.5 million.

TTFA member and president of the Veterans Footballers Foundation, Selby Browne, commenting on Newsday’s story about the site visit, wrote, “This is typical FIFA. Nothing new. Send in the troops to fully support their (supporters).”

Browne and fellow TTFA board members Keith Look Loy, Anthony Harford and Osmond Downer have repeatedly called on John-Williams and his executive to be open and transparent about the details of the project.

Look Loy has called on TTFA president David John-Williams to see information on contracts etc related to the venture and even sent the TTFA boss a pre-action protocol letter to get him to open the books to scrutiny.

Cudjoe yesterday refused to get drawn into the wrangling among TTFA members. “This is a public-private partnership where the Government’s role was to solely to provide the land (and) the TTFA and FIFA would provide the funding.”

She added, “All of those (funding) matters are taken care off by the TTFA and FIFA. Our business as Government was simply to provide the land, and we’ve done that on a 30-year lease. So, I can’t tell you as to the details of the funding arrangements because the Government is not a part of that. Our part in this whole arrangement is to provide the land, which we did.”

Browne, in a telephone interview yesterday, lauded the concept but said there still needs to be checks and balances. He said, “That’s a very good initiative for (TT) football, but you must be transparent and you must operate with proper fiscal management.”

Referring to a TTFA general meeting in March, Browne said, “A motion was moved by the membership to stop the project with immediate effect, remove the president from the project and have the TTFA board of management take charge of that project, for several reasons which included accountability, the manner in which contracts were awarded, the tendering procedure and the failure to do what is required in keeping with the TTFA constitution, a constitution which was approved by FIFA.

“That has not happened,” Browne continued. “To date, the board has no knowledge of the several requests made for documentation and the likes. Now we see what is typical of FIFA, sending their official in to legitimise what has been the failure to produce the evidence required for proper accounting and legitimacy.”

Title: Look Loy: Home of Football site visit a PR exercise
Post by: Tallman on August 23, 2018, 10:11:01 AM
Look Loy: Home of Football site visit a PR exercise
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)


FIFA representative Véron Mosengo-Omba and Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe’s visit to the site of the controversial TTFA Home of Football project on Monday has been described as a “public relations exercise” by TTFA board member Keith Look Loy.

TTFA president David John-Williams welcomed Mosengo-Omba, FIFA director of member associations and development for Africa and Caribbean, Cudjoe and a number of other stakeholders to the Couva construction site.

However, TTFA board members, a number of whom have been calling for transparency and accountability regarding to the project, were not invited.

TTFA general secretary Justin Latapy-George sent an email to board members to notify them of Mosengo-Omba’s site visit on Monday at 9.37 am­.

The email read: “Further to the subject, and on the President’s advice, please note that Mr. Veron Mosengo-Omba (FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development for Africa & the Caribbean) has a layover in Trinidad today (Mon Aug 20, 2018) based on his related travel itinerary.

“As such, the President (copied) has requested that the Board be informed that Mr. Mosengo-Omba will be using some time of his layover to visit the ‘Home of Football’ project in Balmain, Couva.” Look Loy said the notice was not an invitation.

“In fact, no board members could respond to it (on time). They couldn’t even storm,” Look Loy said.

He said if Cudjoe could receive an invitation and plan her visit in advance, there would have been sufficient time to notify the board.

“And I interpret that as yet another evidence that he (John-Williams) does not want what he would consider prying eyes and critics to be around the FIFA delegate.”

Wayne Cunningham, former Eastern Football Association president and current TTFA media officer, on Monday morning, invited select members of the media to attend the site visit, instead of issuing a typical electronic invitation via email.

Look Loy was also asked to address a subsequent newspaper article, which indicated Cudjoe’s desire to exclude herself from the Home of Football controversy. Cudjoe was quoted as saying in the article, “Our business as Government was simply to provide the land...” Look Loy said Cudjoe’s response was appropriate.

“I have no problem with the minister being there and I have no problem with the minister saying she cannot be embroiled in any internal TTFA controversy, I endorse that.

“These projects usually, as in the case of this one, have a grant of land from the state and, therefore, the government has an interest in seeing that their contribution to the project is well used, so the minister being there, I have absolutely no problem with it. That is highly acceptable to me... I understand that as a former FIFA official.”

He said calling on Government to intervene in internal matters of football can have serious consequences for the sport in any country.

“The minister, the ministry and the Government should not do that, because of course FIFA will wave the big stick as they are doing right now in Africa... in Nigeria, in Ghana, in Uruguay.”

Conversely Look Loy said he supports the Government’s demand for accountability for state funds provided to the TTFA.

“But outside of that,” he added, “if we’re demanding transparency and accountability from David John-Williams and his crew in the financial affairs of the TTFA, then the onus and the responsibility is on the members to ensure that, not the Government, not the Government at all.”

Look Loy said at present, after months of asking for financial details at board meetings, via emails, through threats of police and legal intervention, John-Williams is yet to satisfy the demands of the board.

Look Loy, who has requested details of the finances of the project since December 26, last year, said: “Nobody knows what money is being spent, what it’s being spent on. We’ve called for documents but we can’t get any. I have received absolutely nothing.”

He made another call for John-Williams “yet again, to resign due to his continuing lack of transparency and accountability, and his international embarrassment of TTFA and Trinidad and Tobago.”
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on August 25, 2018, 12:46:21 AM
Sports Company Chairman praises TTFA for foresight with Home of Football Porject.
TTFA Media.


“It’s long overdue that somebody would have had the foresight and the courage.”

Sportt Company chairman Douglas Camacho was high in praise for the work done thus far at the TTFA Home of Football venue.

“The pace at which they’ve been directing the facility as a great example of how, as a country, we can really operate if we put our minds to things,” said Camacho following a site visit along with Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe on Monday.

“The short while that they’ve been at it, and how they’ve progressed to this (stage) is quite extraordinary. It’s long overdue that somebody would have had the foresight and the courage.”

Referring to the neighbouring venues, National Aquatic Centre and National Cricket Centre, Camacho said, “It’s ideally situated to (push) sport tourism. I think there (are) very great positives.”

The SporTT chairman noted, “It’s the kind of facility that can be self-sustaining, if well-managed, and it will redound to the benefit of all the sports.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on August 25, 2018, 07:37:02 AM
Douglas, you are part of the problem. I see the ends justify the mean. As long as it is being built, to hell with transparency. All this good governance bullshit we does be hearing at all these 1% conference is all bullshit.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on October 30, 2018, 05:42:34 PM
TTFA’s Home of Football Frequently Asked Questions
TTFA Media


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) in conjunction with FIFA and CONCACAF embarked on a historic infrastructural project dubbed “The Home of Football”.

Construction on the building works of this project began in February 2018, and major construction works is expected to be completed by November 2018 with the official opening carded for February 2019. The TTFA is committed to the future of football in Trinidad and Tobago and believes that the nature and scale of this project will have a tremendous impact on the administration, financing and development of the sport.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and answers regarding the TTFA’s Home of Football project:

1. What does The Home of Football project comprise of?

The project comprises of two (2) major parts which are:

Part A: the construction of a players’ accommodation hotel, and three (3) full-size training pitches already completed.

The three-story hotel comprises of 72 rooms divided into double rooms and suites, each fully equipped with WI-FI, TV’s, as well as a conference room, a cafeteria, medical room and team dining rooms. There is also a secondary building that consists of additional facilities such as dormitories for youth boys and girls’ teams, a main kitchen, a dining room for the youths, changing rooms, a laundry room and additional coaches’ sleeping quarters.

And Part B: a sports entertainment facility (Income Generation Project).

2. What is the Income Generation (IG) project, and what does it entail?

The Income Generation project is the second part of entire project. Located outside the west perimeter of the Ato Boldon Stadium, the IG will be an entertainment hub for sports in Trinidad and Tobago. The project consists of a beach soccer arena, three full size-training fields (to be completed in 2019), and an open space that can be transformed into 3 five-a-side pitches for the small-sided game. This open space can also be used as an entertainment facility, to host carnival events, fetes and other parties.

The facility has a built-in stage that can be used for various activities, an in-house kitchen and a recreational area built to host smaller corporate events and festive parties. This area will also be outfitted with a bar, making it the perfect pre-match and after game spot to chill and hang out with friends.

3. Who is funding the construction of this project, and how much will it cost the TTFA?

The TTFA will not bear any of the construction cost for the building works on this project. FIFA and CONCACAF have committed 100% of $17M TTD needed to complete the construction of the hotel and IG project. This is part of FIFA’s commitment to develop its Member Associations through the FIFA Forward Development Program. This project sits on part of the 17.51 acres of land around the vicinity of the Ato Boldon Stadium, that the TTFA has managed to acquire from the state on lease.

4. For what reason(s) was Couva chosen as the main location to construct the hotel?

The hotel was strategically placed in Balmain, Couva as we believe that in the upcoming years, Couva will become a sporting hub of the Caribbean. Walking distance from the hotel is the state-of-the-art National Cycling Velodrome equipped with a UCI certified cycling track. Apart from hosting regional and international cycling events, the inner part of the Velodrome can be used to host other sporting disciplines such as futsal, volleyball, netball, basketball, and table tennis. Next to the Velodrome lies the National Aquatic Centre boasting of an Olympic sized swimming pool and diving platforms. In close vicinity, there is the Ato Boldon Stadium, which has hosted many regional and international football and track and field tournaments, and a few minutes away are the National Cricket Center as well as the newly built Brian Lara Cricket Academy. National Sporting Bodies can now include the hotel as part of their bidding package to potentially host major international tournaments of their respective discipline ensuring an additional revenue stream for the TTFA.

5. In what way(s) will football benefit from this project?

Trinidad and Tobago’s football will benefit from this project in numerous ways.

A TTFA owned permanent and outfitted facility for the development and training of our footballers- Such facilities are instrumental in development of the national sport and there is evidence that countries who have invested in such facilities have increased their likelihood of world cup qualifications and produced international star quality players. Example, France in 1988, opened the Clairefontaine national training centre and has since produced stars such as Thierry Henry, and England in 2012, opened the St. George’s Park, a state-of-the-art training ground and has seem increased success across in all its football age groups including its youth teams for the first time.

Income generation and sustainability – this facility apart from avoiding significant expenditure on hotel cost for national team live in camps, will be a revenue generation source by hosting other sporting teams (both local and international) throughout the year including public bookings. With an inherited a debt of over 25 million, the hotel will be a vehicle to bring financial ease and set the TTFA on a path of sustainability.

6. Would only the football fraternity be the ones who will benefit from this project?

No. As stated before the close proximity of the hotel, and the Income Generation project to the National Aquatic Centre, National Cycling Velodrome, the Ato Boldon Stadium, the National Cricket Center and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy will ensure that other National Sporting Bodies, international sporting teams as well as our local athletes will have access to the facilities and allow them opportunities to host major international events as well as live-in team camps for winter training for international teams.
Title: TTFA hotel is good for the local game
Post by: Tallman on November 16, 2018, 02:25:50 PM
TTFA hotel is good for the local game
By Alvin Corneal (T&T Guardian)


Af­ter read­ing and see­ing pic­tures of the Ho­tel which is be­ing built by the man­age­ment of the T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion, my first im­pres­sion was that the project could be ac­com­mo­dat­ed by teams, main­ly na­tion­al Foot­ball teams and/or for­eign teams vis­it­ing to play match­es. If I am right, then, the com­fort with re­gards to play­ers camps, rest pe­ri­od be­fore match­es and ad­e­quate pro­fes­sion­al ser­vice vis a vis treat­ment for all foot­ball ac­tiv­i­ty is a wel­com­ing ven­ture.

It has been sug­gest­ed the cost of the project, the sup­ply of fi­nances, the con­trac­tu­al arrange­ments re­gard­ing the own­er­ship of the prop­er­ty and oth­er as­pects have been un­clear to the sports ad­min­is­tra­tive di­rec­tor­ship. There are ques­tions as to whether the gov­ern­ment grant­ed a lease arrange­ment to the TTFA or is the land in sue has been pur­chased with funds from the TTFA.

The re­cent pic­ture on the dai­ly News­pa­per which in­clud­ed many of the coun­try's na­tion­al as­so­ci­a­tion hi­er­ar­chy, ap­peared to the read­ers as though they are part of the process and if so, what role do they have to play in terms of man­age­ment, or been ten­ants from time to time, and who are the re­cip­i­ents and con­trollers of the pay­ment col­lec­tion.

For­give me for look­ing that far. It is sim­ply be­cause some of our pre­de­ces­sors have not been as clear in their op­er­a­tions when it comes to the fi­nanc­ing of any kind whether it be play­ers fees, coach­es' salaries, even of­fice work­ers.

The con­cept of hav­ing this type of ed­i­fice for the pur­pose which is list­ed above could be ben­e­fi­cial, pro­vid­ing the or­gan­i­sa­tion­al path is clear in the eyes of the stake­hold­ers, many of whom are foot­ballers at all lev­els of play.

What is of more in­ter­est for the lover of the sport is to find the pos­i­tive link which will as­sist in the im­prove­ment of the game on the field and any ef­fort to abol­ish the de­te­ri­o­ra­tion of the per­for­mances which have been very vis­i­ble es­pe­cial­ly among the ju­nior pro­grammes and most im­por­tant­ly, the con­fus­ing state of our Pro­League, Su­per League and the zones which are the foun­da­tion of the lo­cal sport.

How will this project con­nect our ills in the sport? Is there a planned which will lead to the im­prove­ment of the game it­self? The ab­sence of a ho­tel was ac­tu­al­ly not the rea­son for the de­vel­op­ment of our game, de­spite the fact that the cry com­ing from the ho­tel de­ci­sion mak­ers is that this project will lead to the road of foot­ball progress.

The mem­o­ries of our in­volve­ment in the re­cent­ly con­clud­ed FI­FA youth com­pe­ti­tions do not re­flect any sem­blance of pos­i­tive progress in our foot­ball, and that in­cludes the qual­i­ty of Sec­ondary School Foot­ball League (SS­FL) match­es. It is un­fair to lay the blame at the feet of the ac­tiv­i­ty on the field when the cadre of top-class coach­es is in the mi­nor­i­ty. I can iden­ti­fy with the num­ber of cours­es con­duct­ed at all lev­els, but the suc­cess of coach­ing is sim­ply a long-term project where all the per­sons who as­pire to wear the track Suits on the bench­es, must de­vote much more time ded­i­cat­ing them­selves to lis­ten­ing and prac­tis­ing the­o­ret­i­cal and prac­ti­cal meth­ods which will help them to un­der­stand the trade much bet­ter.

Then there is the re­or­gan­i­sa­tion of prin­ci­ples which of­fer the ad­min­is­tra­tive and man­age­ment guide­lines to bring some sta­bil­i­ty and recog­ni­tion how we do and ap­proach things that would be of ben­e­fit to the coun­try.

In this re­gard, I some­times won­der what was be­hind the in­tro­duc­tion of the Sports Com­pa­ny of TT in con­nec­tion with the role of Min­istry of Sports. I would have thought that the re­spon­si­bil­i­ty for en­sur­ing that the day to day process of all sport in the coun­try can be mon­i­tored care­ful­ly and even com­mu­ni­cate with the As­so­ci­a­tions for the pur­pose of work­ing ac­cu­rate­ly with­in their con­sti­tu­tions, rules and reg­u­la­tions.

My feel­ing is sim­ply based up­on the op­er­a­tion of the min­istry as the lead­ers of our coun­try and not just be providers of fi­nan­cial hand­outs with­out hav­ing a de­tailed un­der­stand­ing about how they func­tion be­fore ex­tend­ing fund­ing from the trea­sury. Un­for­tu­nate­ly, the prob­lems are many and a fifty or five hun­dred room ho­tel will cer­tain­ly not make a dif­fer­ence to the qual­i­ty of our Foot­ball or any of the NSOs if the ground­work is not done for all the stake­hold­ers to ben­e­fit.

How­ev­er, we shall be pa­tient but very ob­ser­vant as to the fu­ture of sport con­tin­ue to un­fold.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: lefty on November 16, 2018, 03:50:49 PM
how much of d home for football dedicated to facilities to take us to another level, how much sport science research have gone into deciding what would serve this facility and the players best......my guess is we will be playing slow lumbering football with severely unfit player long after dat ting finish......don't give ah flying f**k about no hotel if it doh have ah modern fitness and training facility coming with it
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on November 16, 2018, 04:55:50 PM
These facilities could withstand FLOOD?
Title: TTFA's Hotel - Still more questions than answers
Post by: Tallman on November 22, 2018, 12:46:35 PM
TTFA's Hotel - Still more questions than answers
By Colin Murray (T&T Guardian)


Those who know me are very much aware that I love cul­ture just as much as I love my sport. One of my favourite hob­bies is to sit and lis­ten to all types of mu­sic. From lo­cal melodies to the for­eign stuff, are all right up my al­ley. I took a week off and left the coun­try to at­tend El­ton John's farewell tour en­ti­tled Good­bye Yel­low Brick Road. The fa­mous Madi­son Square Gar­den was the venue and a packed are­na wit­nessed a scin­til­lat­ing per­for­mance from a leg­end in the mu­sic world. Even though I saw him be­fore, I felt I couldn't miss this op­por­tu­ni­ty as he was one I grew up with lis­ten­ing to his songs.

Nat­u­ral­ly, with be­ing away I had some catch­ing up to do with all the hap­pen­ings in sweet T&T. Un­for­tu­nate­ly, some sad news greet­ed me when I was abroad as I heard of the demise of Chef Joe Brown. Some mo­torists be­lieve that cy­clists have lit­tle to no rights on the road and treat them as nui­sance val­ue, and at times they have to be ul­tra-cau­tious when ei­ther train­ing or rac­ing. I re­mem­ber many years ago when my for­mer com­pa­ny was part of spon­sor­ing a road race in To­ba­go, we had to send a car ahead of the cy­clists with a loud­speak­er shout­ing, “the cy­clists are com­ing, the cy­clists are com­ing!” It seemed to have lit­tle im­pact on dri­vers as some still felt the rac­ers were dis­turb­ing their move­ments on a Sun­day morn­ing.

The most in­ter­est­ing sto­ry for me, how­ev­er, was the Pres­i­dent of the TTFA show­ing the 'home of foot­ball' project to rep­re­sen­ta­tives from oth­er sport­ing bod­ies and the me­dia. Based on the sto­ry, the Pres­i­dent seems ex­treme­ly well-versed on the en­gi­neer­ing mech­a­nisms of the build­ing and the tech­nol­o­gy that is be­ing used in the con­struc­tion phase. He al­so boast­ed about the en­er­gy us­age and the type of air con­di­tion­ing sys­tem that is to be in­stalled.

Im­pres­sive, very im­pres­sive in­deed! But, I un­der­stand the good­ly gen­tle­man is very much in­to con­struc­tion so if he couldn't con­vince the var­i­ous sport­ing rep­re­sen­ta­tives, I would have been dis­ap­point­ed. I was al­so in­ter­est­ed in see­ing who else from the lo­cal gov­ern­ing foot­ball body went on the tour but I on­ly saw the names of the Vice Pres­i­dent, the Gen­er­al Sec­re­tary and two board mem­bers. I thought this to be a lit­tle strange as I would have hoped more board mem­bers would have been there with his hand in hand to show­case the fa­cil­i­ty.

I have not seen the fa­cil­i­ty but based on some of the rep­re­sen­ta­tives' com­ments, it ap­pears to be an im­pres­sive and ex­cel­lent fa­cil­i­ty. I have no doubt that if man­aged well (that may be an­oth­er sto­ry) this will be a boost for foot­ball off the field. The oth­er sport­ing bod­ies could very well now be look­ing at how they can do some­thing per­haps on a small­er scale. On the oth­er hand, net­ball and cy­cling are on such a high based on per­for­mances that I am sure the last thing on their minds is a ho­tel.

At long last, we see some fig­ures were be­ing bandied about by the TTFA head to his op­po­site num­bers and he stat­ed that the project is fund­ed by FI­FA at a cost of TT $18 Mil­lion (is there any de­vel­op­ment mon­ey re­main­ing?). He then talked about the as­set base of foot­ball which sounds re­al­ly sweet.

How­ev­er, I ask the ques­tion: how many mem­bers from the foot­ball body were at the pre­sen­ta­tion? It did not seem to have many and the wide­ly re­port­ed de­cline of in­vi­ta­tions ex­tend­ed by the TTFA to mem­bers of the CFA, NFA, SS­FL, WoLF, cit­ing a lack of trans­paren­cy spoke vol­umes. I mean re­al­ly, how dif­fi­cult is it to say where the TT $18 Mil­lion FI­FA dol­lars went? These are very sim­ple ques­tions; (1) Who was the con­trac­tor that won the bid? (2) How many com­pa­nies ten­dered for the project? (3) How was the con­trac­tor cho­sen over oth­er con­trac­tors? (4) What is the fi­nal bud­get­ed cost of the project? (5) Was FI­FA mon­ey sole­ly giv­en for this 'home of foot­ball'? (6) How much will it cost the TTFA to run the 'home of foot­ball' on a year­ly ba­sis?

It is ter­ri­bly mind-bog­gling that this project is near­ly one year old and the an­swers to some of those sim­ple ques­tions are un­known, and ap­par­ent­ly be­ing evad­ed. Yet one reads in the press the very man at the helm of the TTFA was quot­ed as say­ing, “I have ab­solute­ly no prob­lem with trans­paren­cy in this project. But we took a dif­fer­ent ap­proach that a lot of peo­ple are not too hap­py with.” Wow! Can some­one ex­plain that to me?

How dif­fi­cult is it to just give some an­swers to the ques­tions posed by board mem­bers? If there is no prob­lem with trans­paren­cy, then stop pussy-foot­ing. Foot­ball is owned and sup­port­ed by the peo­ple of Trinidad and To­ba­go. We have long gone away from foot­ball be­ing owned by one man in this coun­try; at least he got us to a World Cup. But if the hi­er­ar­chy gen­uine­ly be­lieves that a 72 room ho­tel will make us qual­i­fy for the 2022 World Cup, I will hold my laugh un­til I meet Tom­my and George.

On a brighter note, good luck to the Windies women in the World T20 semi­fi­nal to­day against Aus­tralia; and to the Past crick­eters' so­ci­ety fundrais­er sched­ule for Sat­ur­day night where the great­est all-rounder ever, Sir Garfield Sobers, as well as a host of for­mer lo­cal crick­eters, will be ho­n­oured.
Title: Worcester Aquatic team impressed with TTFA Athletes Hotel facilities
Post by: Tallman on January 04, 2019, 08:17:22 PM
Worcester Aquatic team impressed with TTFA Athletes Hotel facilities
TTFA Media


An 85-member Swimming and Dive team contingent from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, United States toured the TTFA Home of Football Athletes Accommodation Hotel and Sport and Entertainment Centre on Friday.

The group, comprising of 80 athletes and five staff, met with TTFA President David John-Williams and a TTFA contingent for just over an hour as they had a first-hand look of the facilities which is expected to be opened in April of this year.

The athletes are currently in Trinidad for a training camp at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva.

Paul Bennett, head coach of Worcester’s Swimming/Diving team described the TTFA facilities as “world class” and vowed to return either later this year or in 2020 for a residential training camp.

“This morning we got to see the hotel, the entertainment centre and the velodrome as we’ve been training in the pool for the past six days. The aquatic centre is beautiful and definitely a world class facility. The athletes housing village (hotel accommodation) is amazing,” Bennett told TTFA Media on Friday.

“They have quite an assortment of rooms with a lot of flexibility with dining, laundry and space to sleep and house athletes and teams. I think it’s going to be great,” Bennett said of the hotel facilities.

“We will be very interested in coming back here. It makes a lot easier that everything is well within one area and we don’t have to go all over the island to find food, housing and a facility to train in. The weather is beautiful and the people have been nothing but hospitable. It’s been a perfect combination,” Bennett added.

“This trip has been focused on preparing for the university season while we are here and everything is world class. The new facilities look amazing and I’m very excited to see how they finish up and what will be offered to us next time as we look to train for our season,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/v/iwtD0WMD7Zg
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on January 05, 2019, 12:45:07 AM
I guessing best case scenario Aquatic Centre, pulls +300000 USD max, based on 60 + ath. Avg, 12 team max use, and between 400-500 charge/ person for pool, room and food for aprox. 10 residential camp days. One can play with numbers to get an idea of staffing and food cost.
Dec 26 th to Jan 15. So Aquatic Centre might be able to keep the pools clean all year based on camps,Florida at present is the cheapest usd destination, our main competition.
Is football gonna make up the next 11 months ? Think TTFA taking on more stuff not in their area of expertise and setting themselves up for more financial ruin and leakage. I have been wrong before.

Add: my questions, why not give the Aquatic Centre to asatt to market and manage, velodrome to ttca , and home of football see about football. While a joint committee from each body overseer the hotel. And all associations share the expenses, cause left to football alone, we’ll we know how that goes.. it all gonna be bills anyway
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 05, 2019, 05:52:27 PM
each body overseer the hotel. And all associations share the expenses, cause left to football alone, we’ll we know how that goes.. el

maxg, while you making sense, I see this hotel as DJW plaything. Another center of "excellence" scenario.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on January 05, 2019, 06:52:58 PM
each body overseer the hotel. And all associations share the expenses, cause left to football alone, we’ll we know how that goes.. el

maxg, while you making sense, I see this hotel as DJW plaything. Another center of "excellence" scenario.
Many people like expensive playthings, very few can manage them to a profit or well. Can he keep the hotel operationally successful, can he put ppl in the rooms at their expense and not ours ? As i said swimming is going to cover 1 month. Having a nice hotel to hold our National football camps is great, but how is it going to make money to cover those National camps. This is not a Ma & PA bb we talking about, it's a thing that will require year round staffing and operations. 80% of Operations and occupancy may have nothing to do with football . Staff can't be hired by month or event...the only way this will be viable for our National programs, is if the Hotel can operate at a profit, regardless of how nice it look or wonderful location to stadia.

ps: MzTing graduating in Tourism and Hotel Management, but given how ppl does get pay, i not recommending her at all. ;)                           
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on January 22, 2019, 01:15:06 PM
https://swimswam.com/wpi-takes-on-trinidad-and-tobago-training-trip/
Title: UEFA Contingent advises TTFA on Home of Football operations
Post by: Tallman on January 23, 2019, 03:53:43 PM
UEFA Contingent advises TTFA on Home of Football operations
TTFA Media


A contingent of UEFA officials arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday to hold a series of consultations with Trinidad and Tobago Football Association officials during which they intend to guide the local body on its football operations as well as the running of the Home of Football facilities.

UEFA marketing consultant Kenny MacLeod was led on a tour of the Athletes Accommodation Hotel and the Restaurant and Entertainment Centre on Tuesday by TTFA President David John-Williams as the week of activities commenced in Couva. Accompanying them was Chris Milnes, UEFA’s international relations project specialist.

MacLeod who is a former commercial and marketing director for the Scottish FA and past commercial manager for Celtic FC,  later gave a glowing review of the facilities which are nearing completion prior to an official opening later this year.

“It has been continuous progress on this project since we started supporting TTFA on this fantastic infrastructure project,” MacLeod told TTFA Media.

“We were most recently here last October and there’s been significant progress on the building in both facilities, here and the most social element. We continue to be impressed with the speed and the development of this project,” he added.

MacLeod has experienced the operations and feel of several Training Centres in Europe and other parts of the globe and pointed out one of the differences with the Home of Football which can give it an edge.

“I think that the difference with this project is the opportunity for it to be multifaceted not only to support the TTFA but also to be a project for all sports in the region and locally. And then there is the social aspect will really change the ability for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to socialise, be it through weddings and functions all the way to sporting activities.

“It is really being considered not just as a focus on the first team of the national team or the youth teams but the opportunity for all sports within the region to really take advantaged of such qualities facilities that will be in place here,” he said.

The Scotsman elaborated on the other areas of focus during the sessions which will take place at the National Cycling Velodrome until Friday.

“We have three main focuses for this week during which I will be joined by a number of other colleagues coming from UEFA to support this project. Firstly we will focus on the commercialisation of this project and really the understanding of how to put the planning and structure in place for the opening and long- term sustainability of this project. We can obviously see the quality of the construction but we want to make sure it is benchmarked with what we do as the professionalisation of the sales process, the look and feel of what will be sold as part of this project.

“The second area will be the TTFA themselves. They are coming to an area and time where it’s really time to push on with a lot of the projects that they have. There will be a start of an operational review which will allow them to put together a new five-year plan to really see them through the next five years in opportunities they have to develop the sport in the country.

“Finally we will have a couple days back with the League (TT Pro League). The league has been our main focus here over the past couple of projects and times we have been here in T&T. We will look to see what progress has been made over the past four or five months to the point where we can also look towards putting a five-year plan in place for them to develop as well,” MacLeod added.

https://www.youtube.com/v/2VBTrzzyH98
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on January 27, 2019, 07:14:08 PM
Board members shocked as DJW allegedly puts daughter on ‘secret’ Home of Football committee.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams appears set to continue acting as emperor of the local football body’s Home of Football, after allegations that he created a committee to meet UEFA officials on the controversial project—inclusive of his daughter, Renee John-Williams—without board approval.

The ‘Home of Football committee’ will supposedly be asked to create recommendations for the running of the TTFA asset and will benefit from a UEFA-run workshop on the facility.

John-Williams did not respond to questions regarding the scope and composition of the committee. However, Wired868 was informed that W Connection chairman David Martin, T&T Beach Soccer president Kyle Lequay, SSFL general secretary and TTFA employee Azaad Khan, W Connection CEO and his daughter, Renee John-Williams and former W Connection goalkeeper Anthony “Cla Tones” Clarke—a vociferous supporter of ‘DJW’—are among its members.

John-Williams is the owner of the W Connection Football Club.

UEFA marketing consultant Kenny MacLeod told the TTFA Media that their four-day workshop in Trinidad will pay special attention to the future of the Home of Football in Couva.

“[Our] focus will be firstly, the commercialisation of this project—the Home of Football—and the understanding of how to put the structure and planning in place,” said MacLeod, “for the opening and the long-term sustainability of this project.

“We want to make sure that it’s benchmarked with what we do as [far as the] professionalisation of the sales process [and] the look and feel of what will be sold as part of this project.”

UEFA’s know-how, apparently, will be passed on to officials handpicked by John-Williams. TTFA board members Collin Partap and Keith Look Loy confirmed that the board was not even informed about a Home of Football committee, let alone invited to be involved in the selection process.

According to Article 36 of the TTFA constitution, the board of directors has the power to “set up ad-hoc committees if necessary at any time” and “shall pass decisions on all cases that do not come within the sphere of responsibility of the general meeting or are not reserved for other bodies by law or under this constitution.”

John-Williams, as TTFA president, is chairman of the board but does not have the constitutional authority to act without the approval of his colleagues.

Partap, an attorney at law and former MP for Cumuto/Manzanilla, said he was totally in the dark; and is not altogether surprised about that either.

“I have never heard of that committee,” Partap told Wired868. “I know there is a meeting tomorrow where board members were asked to attend a meet and greet with UEFA and Concacaf officials but no further details were given.

“Board members are supposed to know everything that is going in local football but instead we know nothing.”

Look Loy, who has taken the TTFA to the High Court for information related to the Home of Football, also said he was not informed about a committee related to the facility. And he was unimpressed with its supposed composition.

“From the construction of that committee, you can see it is a committee that John-Williams will control,” said Look Loy. “Because they seem to be made up of Connection members and employees of the TTFA and people who are beholden to John-Williams or the TTFA; that is not an independent committee at all.

“[…] Is it that this is one step towards turning the Home of Football into the W Connection training base or the W Connection technical centre? It reeks of nepotism.”

The TTFA board has not met since last November and the football body is obliged, according to the constitution, to have at least one board meeting every two months. Among the issues likely to be raised at the next conclave is the status of Men’s National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence and the defunct Men’s National Under-17 Team, which should begin their Peru 2019 World Youth Cup campaign in roughly two months.

Partap, who has represented the Central Football Association (CFA) for less than a year, said nothing he experienced in his life—presumably including a tumultuous spell with the People’s Partnership—could prepare him for a seat on the TTFA board.

“I am so disenchanted as a board member with everything that is going on in football right now,” said Partap, who singled out the constant state of crisis in the preparation of national teams. “Nothing seems to be gong right and you can’t run football like this; there must be fundamental changes within the structure to start with and you need people who love football and are not just opportunists.

“[…] It is the first time in any organisation I’ve been in that there is this much disrespect for a board; and imagine the board is supposed to be running things.”

Partap pointed to discussions around a renewal for Lawrence—whose two and a half year contract ends on 31 July 2019—as an example of the bizarre manner in which John-Williams tries to run the local game.

“At the last AGM, we asked that details of [Lawrence’s] contract be given to the board, so we could at least see what we were voting on,” said Partap, “and the president said we should be able to vote without seeing a contract. How can you vote on something you can’t see?

“[…] For all I know, Dennis Lawrence already has a new contract now that was not approved by the board. I wouldn’t be surprised with the way they operate here.”

The TTFA’s AGM will be reconvened from 3pm on Sunday at the Cycling Velodrome in Couva, with stakeholders due to discuss constitutional amendments, the 2019 budget and ‘other business.’

Look Loy hopes to get the approval of members to raise the status of general secretary Latapy-George and his presumed replacement, Camara David.

John-Williams has allegedly intimated that Latapy-George’s contract will not be renewed beyond this month and he took David—rather than his current general secretary—to a FIFA workshop in Barbados last month. The workshop was meant for regional football presidents, general secretaries and financial managers. David was none of the above.

“If time permits, I am going to raise the issue of the TTFA general secretary and Camara David, who doesn’t exist within the firmament of TTFA and who is not an employee or associated with any body within local football,” said Look Loy, “but is always sitting at TTFA meetings and went to Barbados for the FIFA forward workshop.

“I want to know what is his status and I want the president, who attended that workshop, to confirm his presence there and tells under whose authority and under what role and function did he attend that meeting, which was meant for either the president, general secretary or financial manager—of which [David] is neither.

“I want to know who paid for Camara to go. If the TTFA paid for his transportation and room and board, then that is a fraud committed on the [TTFA’s coffers]; and if FIFA paid, that is a fraud on FIFA.”

In the midst of the internal turmoil, MacLeod and UEFA internal relations project specialist Chris Milnes are ostensibly trying to assist the local football body. MacLeod also vowed to

“The second area which we will be looking at will be the TTFA themselves,” said MacLeod. “They are coming to an area and time when [they must] push on with a lot of projects they have… We are going to start an operational review, which will allow them to put together a five year plan to really see them through [and] develop the sport in this country.

“[…] We will look to see what progress has been made with the League over the past four or five months [since our last meeting] to the point where we can put a new plan in place for them to develop as well.”

Pro League interim chairman Richard Fakoory told Wired868 last week that they are yet to reconfigure their board in the manner suggested by UEFA, which changes the structure from 10 club owners to four owners, two independent members and one TTFA official.

However, Fakoory said teams are generally happy to adjust for the betterment of the local game.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on January 28, 2019, 10:36:53 AM
If only there was some body, preferably made up of people who have a stake in the game, who could prevent this disgusting nepotism. If only there were, say, 6 or 7 individuals who cared about the game more than kick-backs from a petty dictator. If only there was an ounch of shame or patriotism among the whole Williams family. If only it were possible to prioritise debtors and lovers of the game over legal fees and vanity projects.

What a shame.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on January 28, 2019, 11:28:35 AM
Shame is joke, this is disastrous.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 28, 2019, 06:07:20 PM
Contro. I hope you and your people with deep pockets ready to rake on DJW when the next election is due.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: RichGFootball on January 28, 2019, 06:29:09 PM
Exactly who owns this 'Home of Football'?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 28, 2019, 09:38:00 PM
Exactly who owns this 'Home of Football'?

It should be the TTFA. But it appears that DJW is setting up his people to control it. That is how it appears to me.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: palos on January 28, 2019, 11:31:22 PM
All the people who supported DJW and bawl bout give him a chance etc are complicit.

We ALL knew then who he is and what he represents and allyuh STILL support him. You don’t get to come back now and say “yuh didn’t know” or “he had a good manifesto”

Give him a chance, take he $, whatever it is....take DJW in Allyuh pweffen

Next time allyuh feel like complaining about T&T football, take a good look in the mirror and reflect on the role support for and staying silent about and defending DJW plays in it.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 29, 2019, 09:06:20 AM
All the people who supported DJW and bawl bout give him a chance etc are complicit.

We ALL knew then who he is and what he represents and allyuh STILL support him. You don’t get to come back now and say “yuh didn’t know” or “he had a good manifesto”

Give him a chance, take he $, whatever it is....take DJW in Allyuh pweffen

Next time allyuh feel like complaining about T&T football, take a good look in the mirror and reflect on the role support for and staying silent about and defending DJW plays in it.

Palos, that is not true. Most of us outside of TT knew only what we read about him. Some may have know more than others. When the election came around, most of us did not know how to evaluate Tim Kim stint as the prez. We needed money. Vast amount of money. And many felt that Tim Kee was not able to get the money. DJW, being a relatively successful business with a strong passion for the game was given the benefit of doubt over Tim Kee. Is only when he became the prez. we then saw his true colors. Like I does shout out to Contro. sometimes. Do you guys have  benefactor(s) with deep pockets to rescue this organization. I have know clue who has money in TT to help run TTFA. All the monied people we know of in TT has no interest in TTFA.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on January 29, 2019, 09:08:07 AM
All the people who supported DJW and bawl bout give him a chance etc are complicit.

We ALL knew then who he is and what he represents and allyuh STILL support him. You don’t get to come back now and say “yuh didn’t know” or “he had a good manifesto”

Give him a chance, take he $, whatever it is....take DJW in Allyuh pweffen

Next time allyuh feel like complaining about T&T football, take a good look in the mirror and reflect on the role support for and staying silent about and defending DJW plays in it.

Palos, that is not true. Most of us outside of TT knew only what we read about him. Some may have know more than others. When the election came around, most of us did not know how to evaluate Tim Kim stint as the prez. We needed money. Vast amount of money. And many felt that Tim Kee was not able to get the money. DJW, being a relatively successful business with a strong passion for the game was given the benefit of doubt over Tim Kee. Is only when he became the prez. we then saw his true colors. Like I does shout out to Contro. sometimes. Do you guys have  benefactor(s) with deep pockets to rescue this organization. I have know clue who has money in TT to help run TTFA. All the monied people we of in TT has no interest in TTFA.

Fair assessment - my own was that he was the president of T&T's most successfull Professional club - I had high hopes that were almost immediately dashed...
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: palos on January 29, 2019, 10:16:37 AM
Palos, that is not true. Most of us outside of TT knew only what we read about him. Some may have know more than others. When the election came around, most of us did not know how to evaluate Tim Kim stint as the prez. We needed money. Vast amount of money. And many felt that Tim Kee was not able to get the money. DJW, being a relatively successful business with a strong passion for the game was given the benefit of doubt over Tim Kee. Is only when he became the prez. we then saw his true colors. Like I does shout out to Contro. sometimes. Do you guys have  benefactor(s) with deep pockets to rescue this organization. I have know clue who has money in TT to help run TTFA. All the monied people we know of in TT has no interest in TTFA.

Really Deeks?

You didn’t know that DJW was the Owner of W Connection?  A team that plays in the highest league in T&T

You didn’t know what a significant conflict of interest it represented that he was running for President of the then TTFF?

You could claim ignorance about a host of other things, but not about that.  And that alone is reason enough to disqualify him.

If he so wanted to be TTFF President, he needed to relinquish how ownership in W Connecrion and sever all ties to that club.  He did neither.

There’s another example of this in the Inited States with Trump.  Congrats.  Allyuh have another Trump running T&T football.

Like I said, you don’t get to come back now and bawl “I didn’t know”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on January 29, 2019, 11:05:47 AM
Irregardless of who supported who and why. I doubt DJW, send funds to SWN to influence any elections. We can cry as much as we want, and throw blame as to who spill the milk. It ain’t gonna fix the situation. So let talk about ideas to fix the situation.
My biggest issue with DJW is his constant operating without board approval. There have been many attempts to stop this and still it persists. So why isn’t this not used to remove him from office. Isn’t there a law against such ? Shim, TTFA is not his private company, nor is he the president of world football nor some lil private estate on a remote island he owns. Why he can’t be removed,, unless the info we getting not a true representation of the board, just a few select members. What is it ?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 29, 2019, 11:06:27 AM
Palos, that is not true. Most of us outside of TT knew only what we read about him. Some may have know more than others. When the election came around, most of us did not know how to evaluate Tim Kim stint as the prez. We needed money. Vast amount of money. And many felt that Tim Kee was not able to get the money. DJW, being a relatively successful business with a strong passion for the game was given the benefit of doubt over Tim Kee. Is only when he became the prez. we then saw his true colors. Like I does shout out to Contro. sometimes. Do you guys have  benefactor(s) with deep pockets to rescue this organization. I have know clue who has money in TT to help run TTFA. All the monied people we know of in TT has no interest in TTFA.

Really Deeks?

You didn’t know that DJW was the Owner of W Connection?  A team that plays in the highest league in T&T

You didn’t know what a significant conflict of interest it represented that he was running for President of the then TTFF?

You could claim ignorance about a host of other things, but not about that.  And that alone is reason enough to disqualify him.

If he so wanted to be TTFF President, he needed to relinquish how ownership in W Connecrion and sever all ties to that club.  He did neither.

There’s another example of this in the Inited States with Trump.  Congrats.  Allyuh have another Trump running T&T football.

Like I said, you don’t get to come back now and bawl “I didn’t know”


No, No, Breds. You misunderstanding me. I said, for most of the foreign based Trinis, we only saw the face value of DJW when he was prez. of Connection. Of course I knew who he was. I have been follwing him ever since Connection started playing seriously. He has been running a successful club by Trini standard. But I don't know him personally. But when he started to dogg Hart and the other coaaches when he was selected, I and most of the forum were immediately pissed off.

Right now in TT football, any owner of a club can throw his hat in the ring to run for the presidency. What if it is conflict of interest? Can the govt step in, can FiFa step in? They chose not to.  There is no rule in the TTFA constitution that says to run for prez. , an owner must divest himself from the club he owns.  If there is such a rule, then that is a clear violation. If the various regional bodies have the votes to make the crucial decision of a prez. and decided to vote him in, what are we supposed to do. Football lovers have shown their disgust and have literally boycotted TTFA and pro-league football. And that was before DJW. Breds, I eh disagreeing with your statement. All I saying DJW got a default vote from us because we thought he could have used his business acumen to secure the funds to get TTFA out of debts. We were wrong. He turned out be another version of JW. But if we have the power to vote, all of us will vote "off with his kiss-meh-arse head".
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on January 29, 2019, 12:34:10 PM
Irregardless of who supported who and why. I doubt DJW, send funds to SWN to influence any elections. We can cry as much as we want, and throw blame as to who spill the milk. It ain’t gonna fix the situation. So let talk about ideas to fix the situation.
My biggest issue with DJW is his constant operating without board approval. There have been many attempts to stop this and still it persists. So why isn’t this not used to remove him from office. Isn’t there a law against such ? Shim, TTFA is not his private company, nor is he the president of world football nor some lil private estate on a remote island he owns. Why he can’t be removed,, unless the info we getting not a true representation of the board, just a few select members. What is it ?

He can be removed - he is at the pleasure of the TTFA board, but they're too spineless to remove him. There's a parallel with an orange racist buffoon...
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on January 29, 2019, 02:28:41 PM
He can be removed - he is at the pleasure of the TTFA board, but they're too spineless to remove him.


The TTFA board has always been the issue going way back when. In the era of JW, the TTFA board was going to vote him out. That time it one club one vote. Jack brought a whole lot of minor league teams who voted for him. After he was re-elected he slowly got rid of all of them.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on February 08, 2019, 05:38:41 AM
Look Loy claims bid to stop Home of Football probe; Wired868 looks at TTSL move against president.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


On 27 December 2017, Trinidad and Tobago Super League president Keith Look Loy formally asked seven questions of Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams related to the controversial Home of Football project.

Thirteen months on, John-Williams has not yet responded conclusively; but it could be Look Loy who pays the political price for his persistence, as TTSL member clubs push to remove the latter official from the TTFA board.

Look Loy, who is also the club president of FC Santa Rosa, sees a link between his ongoing tussle for transparency within the TTFA and a petition to strip him of his board role, which was unveiled yesterday by San Fernando Giants official Anthony “Cla Tones” Clarke.

Clarke, a former player with John-Williams’ W Connection club, is an open supporter of the TTFA president and was a member of a committee on the Home of Football that met with a delegation from Concacaf and UEFA. The committee was not sanctioned by the TTFA board.

Seven months ago, Look Loy filed a request in the High Court meant to force John-Williams to reveal the money spent on the Home of Football, the contractors involved and everything else related to the project. The football president continues to resist the request, although the constitution states that the board—and not the president—is in charge of all operations of the football body.

“I am fully convinced that the efforts to remove me as a board member are linked to the court case,” Look Loy told Wired868, “because the court case says that, as a board member, I have a right to request information on the Home of Football project.

“I believe this move to remove me as a board member takes away that right and [hopes that] the court will then deny me that access. Feeding into that are people who have a personal pain because they didn’t play last year; and that is being used by the higher echelons in football, who are trying to stop my campaign for transparency and good governance.”

Clarke denied Look Loy’s suggested motive and insisted that several TTSL clubs now saw Look Loy as being an obstructionist on the TTFA board and were unhappy with his representation.

He pointed to FC Santa Rosa’s unsuccessful attempt to remove John-Williams, at the last TTFA AGM, as part of an agenda that did not sit well with other TTSL clubs. Look Loy is president of Santa Rosa.

Clarke said it has become impossible to divorce ‘Look Loy the club owner’ from ‘Look Loy the TTSL president and TTFA board member’.

“He stated his agenda clearly which is to remove the president of the TTFA,” said Clarke. “If it was a Santa Rosa agenda that is okay but in the AGM he said he, Keith Look Loy, would not stop until the president of the TTFA is removed. He didn’t say Santa Rosa and he never corrected himself.

“[…] He is taking a personal position where he is representing a body. He cannot say that on behalf of all the clubs of the TTSL; he must speak to the club members.

“Is this the proper man to represent us seeing that he has this agenda?”

Guaya United president Randy Hagley, who took responsibility for starting the petition for an extraordinary general meeting to remove Look Loy, echoed Clarke’s discomfort at the TTSL boss’ public wrangling with John-Williams.

“You see this constant public criticisms and disgracing the office of the TTFA, well the clubs are a member of the TTFA so that is a problem,” said Hagley. “Keith [Look Loy] has not been a proper representation for us. He is not doing anything for the good of football, he is only fighting John-Williams.

“I told Keith [Look Loy] we will never get a sponsor once he is president because corporate Trinidad and Tobago will never want to be associated with that bacchanal.”

The reasons for removing Look Loy, according to the petition, were:

Constant public disgracing of the TTSL (sic) President through numerous social media comments, posts and interviews bringing the TTSL, TTFA, its members and the football brand into unnecessary disrepute;

Undersigning a motion for the removal of the President of the TTFA representing his personal club interest, which by extension, represents the office of the President of the TTSL, which was not instructed by the general meeting at any time therefore constituting a clear conflict of interest;

Openly stating your unwillingness to assist the TTFA Board of Directors in its affairs, particularly when asked to assist the Technical Committee on numerous occasions. The membership of the TTSL does not promote or condone this sort of negative arrogance;

Wrongful manipulation of the TTSL Constitution whereby you instructed the TTSL’s general meeting that TTFA Board of Directors suspended all non-compliant members voting rights in the TTSL, which was not the case.

In fact, the decision to suspend non-compliant TTSL members was taken—and then reversed—by the TTFA general membership and not Look Loy. And the TTFA has not had a functioning Technical Committee since four members resigned in January 2018.

Asked to give examples of Look Loy’s ‘poor leadership’, Hagley pointed to the lack of prize money over the past two seasons and three points deducted from Guaya last season, after they failed to travel with two uniforms—as mandated—for an away game against UTT FC.

Hagley admitted to personality clashes with Look Loy in the past. He shared a Whats App conversation with the TTSL president from December in which they traded barbs over a High Court victory for the National Futsal Team over the TTFA—which Hagley described as a “sad day in sports for T&T.”

The Guaya boss complained that Look Loy called him ‘stupid’ and did not conduct himself properly as the league president.

(Whatsapp Excerpt)

Hagley: We were deducted six points and everyone was happy…

Look Loy: You lost those points because of POOR management.

Hagley: The game against UTT you made that decision to give them the points.

Look Loy: Don’t be stupid. Rules are there to be followed. The committee decided that.

Hagley: I am not stupid as you my friend. The committee is you and you alone.

Ironically, UTT head coach Clayton Morris, who is also the National Futsal Team head coach, told Wired868 earlier that much of the dissatisfaction with Look Loy was—in his opinion—based on personal grouses.

“Just about three weeks ago, there was this thing where some clubs said they were going to form their own league; now all of a sudden they want the president to move,” said Morris. “They are saying they are dissatisfied with how the league is run but this is probably as smooth as the Super League has ever run; so I don’t understand.

“[…] I spoke to a couple of them and they told me they have beef or a personal thing with the [TTSL] president. It has nothing to do with the running of the league.

“For me, Keith [Look Loy] is the only voice—or the clearest voice—asking the TTFA president to account for things we are not sure about. If we want the football to succeed, we need to make the president accountable as stakeholders.”

At present, the TTSL has 22 member clubs. Eight have not supported Hagley’s petition. They are: Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Club Sando FC, FC Santa Rosa, RSSR FC, Bethel United, Prisons FC, UTT and Police FC.

From the remaining 14, Look Loy claimed three clubs said they were misrepresented or tricked into signing.

Metal X Erin FC representative Jason Charles supposedly felt the petition was for a discussion of issues related to the TTSL president rather than his removal from the TTFA board while WASA FC’s Lennon Jones was also said to have made an about-turn.

However, Wired868 could not independently confirm this.

Look Loy claimed that San Fernando Giants—ironically, represented by Clarke on the petition—did not sanction their support for the extraordinary general meeting.

Clarke admitted he had not consulted the club but accused Look Loy of stirring up trouble.

“What [Look Loy] did was he called a colleague at San Fernando Giant and said I, as club president, signed a petition for his removal,” said Clarke. “So of course the members of the board of the San Fernando Giants said it was not discussed with them yet as far as picking a side, which I agree with. But the petition is for a special general meeting of the members to discuss the issue and not to remove him.

“[…] When I informed them what the petition was about, they called a meeting for tonight and I am certain that letter [disavowing the club from the petition] would be revoked. So they were misinformed.”

The sole agenda item on the petition read: ‘Removal of President Keith Look Loy as the TTSL Representative on the TTFA Board of Directors with immediate effect’.

Erin FC and San Fernando Giants apart, the other 11 signatories were: Guaya United, Cunupia FC, Matura Re-United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United (PVDMU), Defence Force, Harlem Strikers, Marabella FCC, Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars, Central 500 and Tobago 1976 Phoenix FC.

Only four of those teams—Guaya, Cunupia, Matura and PVDMU—actually competed in the TTSL last season. Another three—Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars and Central 500—are supposedly set to be declared non-compliant although that has not been confirmed by the TTFA.

Curiously, Hagley’s petition also includes Perseverance FC, which is not a TTSL member.

According to the TTSL constitution, decisions can be taken with only a simple majority. If all 22 clubs are allowed to vote, Clarke and Hagley could have half of the vote and would need just one backer from Giants, WASA FC and Erin FC to have their way.

If the non-compliant members are debarred, then Look Loy might manage just enough support to survive politically.

Naturally, the two parties disagree on the rights of non-compliant clubs.

“To participate in football you must be compliant with the TTFA but to vote for a motion in the TTSL, you only have to be a shareholder,” said Clarke. “The general membership of the TTSL has not suspended any member or any shareholder; so therefore all shareholders are still eligible to vote on any member within the TTSL.”

Look Loy admitted that the TTSL constitution did not speak specifically to the rights of non-compliant clubs. Ironically, the TTSL general membership were supposed to vote on the removal of voting rights for inactive clubs last weekend, only for the Concacaf/UEFA workshop to postpone their special meeting by one week.

That motion will be tabled tomorrow.

“You could be non-compliant and do remain a member of the league,” said Look Loy. “Nobody can take that right from you, unless you are demoted or don’t play for two seasons… But we saw that anomaly last year when one club pays its TT$45,000 registration fee to play and another club just pays the nominal fee of TT$1,000 to be a shareholder; and the two clubs have the same rights.

“[…] Any good constitution or set of bylaws will evolve over time. Things that become glaringly obvious today, you will say how you didn’t see that before.”

Look Loy will seek advice on the issue of compliance before he responds to Hagley’s petition.

“TTSL membership and the ability to play football is subject to being TTFA compliant,” said Look Loy. “People seem not to understand these fine distinctions.”

The appointment of a TTSL representative to the board is another grey area, which is not dealt with specifically by the constitution. Article 17.2 (d) comes closest as it states that the TTSL president is primarily responsible for ‘relations between Members, the TTFA and other bodies’.

“In all the regional associations and with other members, their boards—and not their general membership—select the persons who will represent them on the TTFA board,” said Look Loy. “That is the general, accepted practice across the TTFA.”

The TTSL board comprises of: Look Loy, Morris, Eddie Dean (Club Sando), Colin Murray (QPCC), George Joseph (Bethel United), Jameson Rigues (formerly Guaya) and Peter Thomas (general secretary).

The TTSL executive has 21 days to accede to the call for an extraordinary general council meeting on Look Loy’s potential removal from the TTFA board. At present, the TTSL president said he is looking into the validity of the request from the aggrieved clubs.

“We are trying to verify the issue of compliance with the TTFA,” said Look Loy. “We have to look at if they cross the 50 percent threshold to call the meeting—because it is 50 percent of who is eligible to vote. The threshold [if the three non-compliant members are excluded] then would be 10 clubs.

“We had documentation from Erin and San Fernando Giants to the effect that they have withdrawn and I expect more. But the minimum notice is 21 days, so I am trying to make sure that everything is in place; so that when we respond it is accurate.”

Hagley and Clarke voiced concern about Look Loy’s calls to check on the validity of the signatures on the petition.

“He is calling the owners of Defence Force, Harlem, etcetera and asking their bosses to rescind their signature from the list,” said Hagley. “But he can’t call my boss; my boss is Jesus.”

One club representative, under condition of anonymity, claimed he received a phone call from John-Williams on the TTSL. The TTFA president, he alleged, was enquiring about his support for the proposed changes to the second tier competition, which includes an injection of cash—from TTFA/SPORTT—for clubs as prize money and to run their operations as well as the removal of their registration fee.

John-Williams did not mention Look Loy or the petition specifically but he had made his view clear in the past.

“He said that Keith [Look Loy] is unworkable,” said the official.

The official suggested that several club representatives were caught in two minds about Hagley’s petition. Look Loy, he said, will not win many prizes for congeniality. But he said he saw the combative administrative as more of an asset than a liability for his work on the TTFA board.

“To be honest, some teams do feel that some of the issues raised about Look Loy have some truth to it,” he said. “Some clubs do feel damaged by Look Loy’s decisions at times. But we have to think about what the bigger picture, which is difficult at times…”

(How they voted)

Did not support petition:

8 clubs: Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Club Sando FC, FC Santa Rosa, RSSR FC, Bethel United, Prisons FC, UTT and Police FC;

Supported petition:

11 clubs: Guaya United, Cunupia FC, Matura Re-United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Defence Force, Harlem Strikers, Marabella FCC, Siparia Spurs*, Youth Stars*, Central 500*, 1976 Phoenix FC*;

(Asterisk means there is uncertainty regarding the club’s compliance).

Unsure:

3 clubs: San F’do Giants, Metal X Erin FC, WASA FC.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on February 13, 2019, 01:31:41 AM
Latest Video Update - TTFA Home of Football (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=bHjFV94PBMI)

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on February 13, 2019, 03:27:13 AM
My Cynicism is well documented, but at least it looks the part. If run by a fairly competent administration it might be good.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on February 13, 2019, 11:39:41 AM
My Cynicism is well documented, but at least it looks the part. If run by a fairly competent administration [\b]it might be good.

Yet to see that since Lucas the grounds man at QRC. From Government to private sector. From infrastructure to major projects. Why would this be different at this point and time. Major hospital built, stadia, brand new, how those working out. In football, lots of in fighting, much controversy and non-payment of critical technical staff . Who will pay necessary personnel during startup and low seasons. Oh yeah, taxpayers.. well we could start growing pumpkin (or grass, if legalized) on a few fields for coaches to sell in the market  :devil:
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Cocorite on February 13, 2019, 01:44:31 PM
My Cynicism is well documented, but at least it looks the part. If run by a fairly competent administration [\b]it might be good.

Yet to see that since Lucas the grounds man at QRC. From Government to private sector. From infrastructure to major projects. Why would this be different at this point and time. Major hospital built, stadia, brand new, how those working out. In football, lots of in fighting, much controversy and non-payment of critical technical staff . Who will pay necessary personnel during startup and low seasons. Oh yeah, taxpayers.. well we could start growing pumpkin (or grass, if legalized) on a few fields for coaches to sell in the market  :devil:

Doh gih dem no ideas nah!
Title: Mitchell gives TTFA hotel 5-star rating
Post by: Tallman on February 24, 2019, 04:42:09 PM
Mitchell gives TTFA hotel 5-star rating
TTFA Media


Former Vancouver Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell is giving the TTFA Home of Football Athletes Accommodation hotel a thumbs up as this country’s senior team heads into day four of its training camp ahead of the upcoming international friendly against Wales on March 20th.

Mitchell is currently in the provisional squad preparing under Dennis Lawrence. He was among the players who were given a first-time tour of the facility on Thursday by TTFA President David John-Wiliiams, accompanied by Lawrence and the other members of the Senior Team technical staff.

“I think its good for the future. There are a lot of things surrounding the football now but this is definitely good for the future and the youths because they are going to benefit from it. It’s a top class, five-star facility and very professional. The players will not have to study anything, just come and play the football. Everything will be there for them,” Mitchell told TTFA Media.

Teammate Jomal Williams, a former Mexican-based midfielder had similar sentiments about the facility which is carded to be opened for use in April.

“It’s mind-blowing knowing that the level is high and the facility is very good. I think it’s going to be good for Trinidad and Tobago football. It’s something for players to look forward to especially the younger players. To be there and to be able to get the chance to sleep in one of those rooms means you have to be on the national team. It’s a dream come through to see something like this back home,” Williams said.

John-Williams in a brief conversation with the players at the hotel, said “We’re giving you a sneak preview of what your future home will look like. The good news is you will have a home. The bad news is it will make life a little easier for the coach to train you harder.  Generally it’s a 72-room facility and we hope to have it up and running by the end of April. It includes rooms, suites, medical rooms, dining rooms and more. We have three training pitches completed so you will be walking and driving to your training pitches. We finally have something that we can call home. All I will say is that this is best practice in world football.

“We are up against the world. We have the talent but we have to  work differently to compete with the world. No disrespect but our competition is not Jamaica and Antigua but our competition is Jamaica, Antigua, Brazil, Germany.. it’s the world. When here is completed treat it as your own home because this is the chance of a lifetime for many of you. You all will come into a generation that finally has something to call home,” John-Williams told the players. The facility will accommodate Men and Women teams and also has additional dormitory facilities for youth teams. There are executive suites on the third level for officials and generally the hotel will be accessible by athletes and individuals of other sporting disciplines and professions.

Meantime, on the on-field preparations so far, Mitchell said, “Things have been going quite good preparing for the Wales game. We have a bit of senior men with some youths and there’s incredible talent now on the national team and I’m surprised. It’s great to see Dennis is contracted again to work with the national team. Honestly it’s a good opportunity for the youths as the next World Cup is for the youths. We will be building the team around them,” Mitchell added.

“Of course I am looking to push for a spot on the Gold Cup even though it will be very difficult. I had a a difficult time with my going injury in 2017 ahead of the Mexico and Panama games. I was out for a year. Right now I am so happy to be injury free and pushing for a spot on the national team,” said the former South-Korean-based player.

Looking ahead to Wales, Mitchell continued, “We have to put the work in now. Gareth Bale and they are in season right now and we have players in preseason. We have to concentrate and be physically and mentally ready for this game. There will be no room for excuses.
Title: TTFA given 7 days to disclose ‘Home of Football’ info
Post by: Tallman on March 20, 2019, 12:46:53 PM
Judge tells TTFA pres open books.
By Derek Achong (Guardian).


The T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion (TTFA) has been cau­tioned by a High Court Judge over its re­peat­ed re­fusal to re­lease in­for­ma­tion on the con­struc­tion of its US$2.5 mil­lion "Home for Foot­ball" in Bal­main, Cou­va to one of its di­rec­tors.

De­liv­er­ing an oral judge­ment at the Hall of Jus­tice in Port-of-Spain yes­ter­day af­ter­noon, High Court Judge Ron­nie Boodoos­ingh ruled that TTFA pres­i­dent David John-Williams and for­mer gen­er­al sec­re­tary Justin Lat­apy-George act­ed ir­ra­tional­ly and un­rea­son­ably when they re­peat­ed­ly de­clined re­quests made by TTFA di­rec­tor and T&T Su­per League pres­i­dent Kei­th Look Loy, since De­cem­ber 2017.

"Or­gan­i­sa­tions like the TTFA, hav­ing been in­cor­po­rat­ed by statute, can not be the per­son­al fief­dom of in­di­vid­u­als. Even if it were so in the past, it can not be so in mod­ern times," Boodoos­ingh said, as he or­dered John-Williams to dis­close the in­for­ma­tion to Look Loy with­in sev­en days.

Nei­ther John-Williams nor Lat­apy-George were present in court for the judge­ment and were rep­re­sent­ed by the TTFA's lawyer Anand Mis­sir.

In his judge­ment, Boodoos­ingh ruled that Look Loy was en­ti­tled to seek the in­for­ma­tion which in­cludes the fi­nanc­ing arrange­ment for the fa­cil­i­ty, the ten­der­ing process used for se­lect­ing the con­trac­tor and sub-con­trac­tors and time-frames for com­ple­tion.

"He (Look Loy) has oblig­a­tions as well as po­ten­tial li­a­bil­i­ties and must, there­fore, have the true po­si­tion of the as­so­ci­a­tion so he can prop­er­ly per­form his func­tions," Boodoos­ingh said.

Stat­ing that trans­paren­cy is the an­ti­dote for cor­rup­tion, Boodoos­ingh ques­tioned the ra­tio­nale of the TTFA of­fi­cials in the case.

"Giv­en in­ter­na­tion­al knowl­edge of the tur­moil in Fi­fa, one would have thought that the de­fen­dant would not have found it­self in the po­si­tion it has," he said, al­so crit­i­cis­ing the TTFA for re­quest­ing that Look Loy sign a non-dis­clo­sure agree­ment if he was to be giv­en the in­for­ma­tion. The TTFA claimed that the re­quest was made af­ter it re­ceived ad­vice on the is­sue from Fi­fa, which main­ly fi­nanced the project.

"It is not about pro­tect­ing an or­gan­i­sa­tion but what is in the best in­ter­est of the world game...Those who have noth­ing to hide, should not fear light be­ing shone on them," Boodoos­ingh said.

As a sec­ondary is­sue in the case, the TTFA was al­leg­ing that Look Loy should not have been al­lowed to bring the ju­di­cial re­view law­suit as it is not a pub­lic body, whose de­ci­sions are ca­pa­ble of be­ing re­viewed by a court.

Boodoos­ingh strong­ly dis­agreed as he point­ed out that it was es­tab­lished by an Act of Par­lia­ment to man­age and pro­mote foot­ball in the coun­try and that it re­ceives oc­ca­sion­al State fund­ing.

He al­so re­ject­ed the TTFA claim that the is­sue should have been re­solved us­ing ar­bi­tra­tion as he stat­ed that such have would re­quire "will­ing­ness" from both par­ties.

In ad­di­tion to or­der­ing the dis­clo­sure of the in­for­ma­tion, Boodoos­ingh al­so or­dered the as­so­ci­a­tion to foot Look Loy's le­gal bill for pur­su­ing the law­suit.

Look Loy was rep­re­sent­ed by Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle and Crys­tal Paul.

Ac­coun­tants agree to analyse doc­u­ments

A team of foren­sic ac­coun­tants are ex­pect­ed to look in­to the fi­nan­cial records on the con­struc­tion of the "Home for Foot­ball".

In a brief in­ter­view out­side the Hall of Jus­tice in Port-of-Spain, af­ter Look Loy won his law­suit against the TTFA, he said the ac­coun­tants ap­proached by him had al­ready agreed to analyse the doc­u­ments once they are re­leased by the TTFA over the next week.

Look Loy said: "I don't know what we would find. I nev­er ac­cused any­one of any­thing but in the ab­sence of fac­tu­al in­for­ma­tion there would be spec­u­la­tion and there is a moun­tain of spec­u­la­tion over what is hap­pen­ing in Cou­va.

"I am go­ing in there now to see what ex­act­ly has been hap­pen­ing, not on be­half of Kei­th Look Loy but be­half foot­ball com­mu­ni­ty and the peo­ple of T&T."

Asked how he felt with the out­come of the case, Look Loy said he was al­ways con­fi­dent.

"It feels good to know that there was re­course for me and oth­er peo­ple who are fight­ing for trans­paren­cy in the con­duct of busi­ness, hu­man af­fairs and the con­duct of TTFA af­fairs," he said.

He al­so sug­gest­ed that Jus­tice Ron­nie Boodoos­ingh's judge­ment in the case may help im­prove the sport in T&T.

"The judge was right. Foot­ball is not pri­vate busi­ness or a pri­vate fief­dom, it be­longs to all of us," he said.

About the Project (Put in box)

The "Home for Foot­ball" project is ex­pect­ed to in­clude a 72-room ho­tel, train­ing pitch­es, an en­ter­tain­ment cen­tre and ad­min­is­tra­tive of­fices for the as­so­ci­a­tion.

The sod was turned in Sep­tem­ber 2017, with con­struc­tion start­ing in Feb­ru­ary, last year. The project was spon­sored by Fi­fa and is be­ing con­struct­ed on a lit­tle over sev­en hectares of land do­nat­ed by the Gov­ern­ment.

The project was al­ready at an ad­vanced stage when Fi­fa rep­re­sen­ta­tive Veron Mosen­go-Om­ba and Sports Min­is­ter Sham­fa Cud­joe con­duct­ed a tour in Au­gust, last year.

The project is still in­com­plete but the fa­cil­i­ty is sched­uled to be opened, lat­er this year.

RELATED NEWS

“Public organisations can’t be run like private fiefdoms!” Court orders DJW to hand TTFA financial info over to Look Loy
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member and TTSL president Keith Look Loy hailed a ‘complete victory’ over football president David John-Williams this afternoon, after the High Court ordered John-Williams to make all financial information related to the local football body available to the claimant within seven days.

Look Loy, who was appointed to the TTFA board in January 2018, turned to the courts after his repeated requests for information related to the controversial Home of Football project were either ignored by John-Williams or only offered on various conditions, including that the administrator sign a non-disclosure agreement.

However, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh rubbished John-Williams’ stance as he ordered the TTFA president to not only make the requested information available within a week but to also permit Look Loy to make copies.

Once more, John-Williams was stuck with not only the cost of his legal team but must also pick up the tab for Look Loy’s attorneys as well—expenses that must again be borne by the cash strapped local football body.

Crucially too, John-Williams’ stalling encouraged Look Loy to widen the scope of his enquiry to not just the Home of Football but every cent spent during the president’s tenure, which began on 30 November 2015.

Look Loy told Wired868 that he will immediately hire a forensic accountant to help shine light on the secret spending of the John-Williams-led administration, which has been kept hidden from even board members.

“I asked for names for all the contractors who worked [on the Home of Football] in Couva, what they worked for, who gave them the contracts, how much money has been spent, where the works have reached, etc,” said Look Loy. “But I also asked for the ledger of the TTFA from November 2015 to present. Why? Because it is the daily record of income and expenditure of the TTFA that tells the entire day by day history of the [football body] until March 2019.

“I am expecting we will find information on a lot of questions we have been asking including what is the TTFA’s relationship with I95.5FM, etc.

“It is extensive work but it is work that has to be done for us to ascertain the true financial status of the TTFA and to find out who has been spending money, what has the money been spent on and who has been receiving the money.”

Look Loy was represented by attorneys Matthew Gayle, Dr Emir Crowne and Crystal Paul. Anand Missir was retained by the TTFA.

John-Williams never denied that Look Loy was authorised to receive the information requested, according to the TTFA’s constitution. However, his legal team argued that world governing body, FIFA, was keen on a certain level of confidentiality for the project, that Look Loy ought to have used in-house arbitration before approaching the courts and the High Court was not the right forum to settle the dispute in any case since, they claimed, the TTFA was not a public body.

Justice Boodoosingh gave short shrift to each point as he pointed out that the TTFA was incorporated by an act of Parliament and the entire public has a stake in the going-ons of the national football body. And he chided John-Williams for trying to stand behind an alleged suggestion by FIFA, which the president did not support with documentation.

“The judge made the point that transparency and accountability are necessary in the modern world and those who have nothing to hide shouldn’t be afraid of the light,” said Look Loy. “And he said the TTFA and FIFA should have seized the opportunity to lay everything bare; but, even if FIFA said there should have been no disclosure, the TTFA should have rejected it and made the information available [for the sake of] the image of the game.

“Even if this type of thing happened before, it must not happen again. He actually made the point that public organisations cannot be run like private fiefdoms.”

The High Court’s ruling compounded a miserable month of March for John-Williams. Last week, Concacaf banned all Trinidad and Tobago clubs from participating in its competitions, due to the TTFA’s failure to properly implement the club licensing requirements—which means Pro League teams cannot compete at senior Concacaf Champions League or Under-13 level.

And, on Monday, a court order froze the TTFA’s First Citizen Bank account after a request by the National Futsal Team, following the TTFA’s failure to service a debt of just over $500,000.

Now, just eight months before John-Williams is due to face the electorate for a second term in office, the football president is forced to open his books to an indefatigable critic of his behaviour at the helm of the football body.

Look Loy suggested that his court victory was a win for transparency—in and out of the football community.

“First of all, I want to thank [my attorney] Matthew Gayle for doing a terrific job,” he said. “It feels good to know that I won—even though I had to take part in a 14 month odyssey. For people who are fighting for transparency and accountability in the national arena, at least we know that we can have recourse and justice from the courts.

“On a personal level, I feel good to know I did the right thing and the court supported it… In the absence of factual information, speculation will thrive. Now we will go and see what we find.”

TTFA given 7 days to disclose ‘Home of Football’ info.
By Jada Loutoo (Newsday).


The TT Football Association (TTFA) has been given seven days in which to provide documents on the construction of its US$2.5 million “Home for Football” to Super League president Keith Look Loy.

In an oral decision delivered a short while ago, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that the disclosure of the documents to Look Loy, a director of the TTFA, was in the public’s interest and the interest of transparency of the sport, locally and internationally.

Look Loy was granted permission to pursue his judicial review claim against the TTFA over the failure of its senior officials to disclose details related to the project in Balmain, Couva, to him and other directors.

In the claim, Look Loy has alleged he is entitled to the information, which includes financial records and details on the contractors and project manager hired for the project.

He also sought a declaration that TTFA president David John-Williams and general secretary Justin Latapy-George acted irrationally and unreasonably in repeatedly failing to disclose the information.

In an affidavit, Look Loy claimed he had made several requests of both men since December, 2017, all of which were ignored.

“My requests for inspection of the documents have not been made whimsically to the TTFA in any way. My requests have been ongoing for at least eight months and are of utmost importance to ensure transparency in the interest of the public,” Look Loy said.

In a supplemental affidavit, Look Loy said he was offered an opportunity to see the requested documents after he filed the lawsuit. However, the day before he was expected to do so, he was told he had to sign a non-disclosure agreement first. He refused.

Look Loy was represented by Matthew Gayle, Dr Emir Crowne and Sheriza Khan of New City Chambers.

The Home for Football project is expected to include a 72-room hotel, training pitches, an entertainment centre and administrative offices for the association. The sod was turned in September 2017, with construction starting in February. The project was sponsored by Fifa and is being constructed on a little over seven hectares of land donated by the Government.

The project is already at an advanced stage and was toured by Fifa representative Veron Mosengo-Omba and Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe in August last year.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Storeboy on March 20, 2019, 03:18:57 PM
The project "Home of Football" is a very good idea that should provide financial benefit and prestige to TT football. The problem is that the non-disclosure, secrecy, refusal to provide documents suggests corruption. There needs to be transparency. I support Look-Loy's attempts to obtain documents.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on March 22, 2019, 04:20:48 AM
TTFA mum on latest issues.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


THE TT Football Association (TTFA) is staying mum on a trio of issues which have seen them in the public limelight, for all the wrong reasons.

On Monday, the TTFA’s account at First Citizens was frozen, due to a garnishee order from the High Court, requested by members of the national futsal team.

The futsal team players and technical staff, on December 13, 2018, were awarded approximately $476,000 plus interest at three per cent per annum for unpaid salaries, match fees, per diems and expenses, following their participation at the 2016 CONCACAF Championship in Costa Rica, as well as legal costs estimated at $69,000.

Also, on Monday, TT Football Referees Association (TTFRA) vice-president Osmond Downer queried the recent election of Richard Quan Chan and Anthony Moore as vice-presidents of the TTFA, replacing Joanne Salazar and Allan Warner.

In another matter, on Wednesday, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, in the High Court, ordered the TTFA to make all its financial information, including details of the controversial Home of Football project in Couva, available to board member and TT Super League president Keith Look Loy within seven days.

Newsday contacted TTFA president David John-Williams via Whatsapp and text messages, as well as TTFA general secretary Camara David via telephone calls and text messages, for responses on those matters.

The WhatsApp messages to John-Williams were read, however, there was no reply, while there was also no reply from David, who took over from Justin Latapy-George on March 1, up to press time last evening.

RELATED NEWS

TTFA’s bank account frozen! DJW compared to Trump as court leans on football body again.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


The David John-Williams-led Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) was enveloped by fresh chaos today as the body’s bank account was frozen, due to a court order requested by members of the National Futsal Team.

TTFA general secretary Camara David and president John-Williams were informed of the development today by First Citizens Bank, which received a garnishee order from the High Court.

The legal manoeuvre, instigated by attorney Melissa Roberts-John on behalf of the Futsal team, is the latest twist in a three year battle between the two parties. On 13 December 2018, Justice Margaret Y Mohammed awarded 15 Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal players and five technical staff members roughly TT$475,743 plus interest at three per cent per annum for unpaid salaries, match fees, per diems and expenses.

The TTFA was also ordered to pay the Futsal Team’s legal costs of TT$69,200.82.

The High Court ruled that the local football body was to pay immediately. However, TTFA asked the claimants for 28 days’ grace to get the money together. Instead, John-Williams instructed his attorney, Annand Misir, to file an appeal.

More than three months after their court win, National Futsal Team head coach Clayton Morris said they had had enough of John-Williams’ stalling.

“We have run out of patience,” Morris told Wired868. “All the guys thought they were getting something extra for Christmas; but Christmas and then Carnival come and gone and now Easter is coming.

“The behaviour of John-Williams has been really disappointing but I wasn’t surprised because I have gotten to realise the character I am dealing with. He is someone who doesn’t care about the time, effort and commitment that people give towards football.

“Today is the 18th and almost three months after the High Court said we should be paid immediately, we still haven’t been paid. So definitely the guys are out of patience.”

The Futsal players who succeeded in the court action are: captain Jerwyn Balthazar, Kevin Graham, Adrian Pirthysingh, Colin Joseph, Kerry Joseph, Jameel Neptune, Ishmael Daniel, Anthony Small, Kevaughn Connell, Keston Guy, Kareem Perry, Jamel Lewis, Noel Williams, Bevon Bass and Cyrano Glen—whose elder brother Cornell Glen was one of 13 Soca Warriors who successfully sued the TTFA in the landmark ‘2006 World Cup bonus dispute’.

The technical staff members are: Morris (head coach), Ronald Brereton (manager), Sterling O’Brian (assistant coach), Perry Martin (goalkeeper coach) and Brent Elder (trainer).

The TTFA has never activated its legal committee under the current president and, in its absence, John-Williams has thrown the local football body into a host of legal cases on his own volition—often without discussions or consensus at board level.

Justice Mohammed made it clear in her ruling that she was decidedly unimpressed with the football president.

“In my opinion it was disingenuous for the [TTFA] to adopt the position it took with respect to the payment of the monthly stipends, per diem and match fees to the [Futsal] technical staff and the players respectively,” stated Justice Mohammed, “since based on the [TTFA’s] conduct, it actively led the [Futsal Team] to believe that nothing had changed and that the [TTFA] would have honoured the oral agreement made by Mr Tim Kee on behalf of the [TTFA].

“[…] In cross-examination, Mr John-Williams’ evidence on this issue was entirely discredited.”

The TTFA has not issued a statement on the legal decision with John-Williams and David opting, as is customary, for silence and urging board members to follow their lead. David has refused to comment to Wired868 and is understood to be attempting to introduce a formal media blackout for all TTFA office staff and coaches.

As Master Sherlanne Pierre set a date of 4 April 2019 to hear both sides on the matter, the TTFA will almost certainly be unable to pay salaries at the end of March. It is likely that the ruling could also force a delay in the payment of match fees to the Men’s National Senior Team players, who tackle Wales in an international friendly in Wrexham on Wednesday.

The court ruling follows on the heels of a Concacaf ban on Trinidad and Tobago clubs, due to the TTFA’s alleged failure to properly implement a club licensing set-up. The local football body has also operated without a technical director—a mandatory position according to FIFA—since January 14 when Anton Corneal downed tools and stated that he was “tired of the disrespectful and inhumane manner in which I have been treated by the President of the Association.”

John-Williams was also criticised, earlier this year, for his failure to activate 14 of the TTFA’s mandated 16 standing committees by FIFA IFAB board member and 2006 World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, TTOC president Brian Lewis, TTFA board member Keith Look Loy, UWI Sports Management lecturer Sherlan Cabralis, management consultant and ex-TIDCO president Brian Harry and management accountant and ex-Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) official Kendall Tull.

Today, the Barbados Nation News unveiled Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team head coach and TTFA youth football staff coach Russell Latapy as the Barbados National Senior Team head coach-in-waiting.

Latapy is still owed a substantial amount in wages by the TTFA and has criticised John-Williams’ treatment of him in the recent past.

Look Loy, who is also the Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president, said the order freezing the TTFA’s bank account was ‘entirely avoidable’ and ‘further evidence, if we need any, of the mismanagement of the TTFA and its finances’.

“In real terms, with month end fast approaching, this means no TTFA staff can be paid and all programmes—already comatose as they are—will grind to a halt,” said Look Loy. “This is the consequence of DJW’s failure to activate the Association’s legal committee, which advises the board on legal matters, and his preference for unilateral action on legal matters as opposed to board discussion.”

Look Loy, who is a member of the newly formed seven-member Commission to handle the UEFA-proposed merger of the Pro League and TTSL, reiterated his stance that the local top tier leagues would be crazy to put its finances in the TTFA’s accounts.

“On the heels of Concacaf’s ban on TTFA clubs from the Caribbean Club Championship, this is a double whammy,” said Look Loy. “Moreover,  this unfortunate development substantiates my stance that state monies for the proposed  League should not be given to TTFA, as there is no shortage of TTFA creditors who may follow suit on the Futsal action.

“What more do the members of TTFA need to see to remove this man from office?!”

On the weekend, only five from the TTFA’s 49 delegates were present for the start of the reconvened AGM and John-Williams was forced to abort the meeting, as there was nothing close to the quorum necessary to address proposed constitutional amendments.

Look Loy suggested that the dwindling attendances was due to the partisan nature of meetings under the current president and the feeling that nothing was changing.

“In my estimation, at least some members believe attending meetings is becoming increasingly redundant,” he said, “as logic is being overwhelmed by political allegiance to the status quo.”

Northern Football Association (NFA) president Anthony Harford agreed emphatically with Look Loy.

“I think people are suffering from fatigue, because these meetings go on for the entire day and we never discuss the serious business of football,” said Harford. “We spend the entire time outing fires and discussing the misdeeds of the administration and people are just getting tired of it, as David [John-Williams] has shown that he has the required numbers to win a vote.

“[…] People are fed up of asking questions and not getting answers… [John-Williams] seems to be like the Trinidad version of Donald Trump, where you see so many cases for impeachment and yet the man seems impervious to everything; and just continues to lie and deceive people.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on March 28, 2019, 09:01:25 AM
Look Loy not satisfied.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


OUTSPOKEN director of the TT Football Association (TTFA) is not satisfied with the documents presented to him by the local governing body, regarding the construction of its Home of Football venture.

The US $2.5 million project, which is being built at Balmain, Couva (next to the Ato Boldon Stadium) has been steeped in controversy since work began in February 2018.

Look Loy has repeatedly called on TTFA president David John-Williams to disclose financial information on the project.

On March 20, High Court Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled the disclosure of the documents to Look Loy, within the space of seven days, was in the public’s interest and the interest of transparency of the sport, locally and internationally.

According to Look Loy, “(My lawyer Matthew Gale) was asked to collect documents by the TTFA lawyer (Anand Missir) at 10.30 am (yesterday) at the TTFA office.

“I presented myself but I didn’t receive all the documents. I pointed that out to them.”

Look Loy, the president of the TT Super League, continued, “They gave me a list, five pages long, of at least a couple dozen contractors and sub-contractors but I received not one contract, neither did I receive any information on who approved these contracts or who decided on these contracts and who signed them. That’s the heart of the thing. I am not satisfied with that at all and my lawyer would take measures to enforce the court order.”

Look Loy insisted, “At four o’clock (yesterday afternoon), at the close of business, they did not observe in full the terms of the court order because they did not present all the court documents that the court ordered them to (do).”

Asked how he felt about the TTFA’s moves, Look Loy replied, “I went down there with an open mind, but I was not surprised not to receive all of the documents. I’ll leave it like that.”

Look Loy, a member of the TTFA board since January 2018, said, “I got some other documents too, regarding the timelines for completion, and the work schedules and things like that.

“I also got the ledger which is the record of expenditure of the TTFA from November 2015 to December 2018. That is an important document.

“But the contracts for the Home of Football and the information on who approved these contracts and who signed these contracts, I didn’t get that. We will see what the next three or four days brings.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 01, 2019, 12:28:38 AM
A bad joke! Look Loy mulls over contempt proceedings against John-Williams and Camara.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member Keith Look Loy is considering lodging contempt of court proceedings against local football president David John-Williams and his general secretary Camara David, after the duo allegedly failed to adhere to a High Court order regarding information related to the controversial Home of Football project and the TTFA’s finances.

On 20 March, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that John-Williams and/or his general secretary’s failure to furnish Look Loy with the requested documents was ‘unreasonable and/or unlawful’ and gave the pair seven days to remedy the misdeed.

The documents listed in the order are: the TTFA ledger for the period of November 2015 to present, the contributions of FIFA, TTFA and the government for the Home of Football and the overall budget for same, the names of all bidding companies or parties in connection with the project, the TTFA personnel who selected contractors and sub-contractors for the project, the name of the project manager, the names of contractors and sub-contractors engaged, the quantum, duration and terms of all contractors associated with the project, and the current financial and construction status of the project.

Look Loy told Wired868 that, although he has received a ledger, he is dissatisfied with the information relayed by TTFA attorney Annand Misir in relation to the Home of Football.

“We got about 15 mostly PDF documents and at a glance, at least one of them does not state the quantum of the contract,” said Look Loy. “I know what a construction contract looks like and what they sent out is a joke; I know what a FIFA contract looks like and this in no way resembles that.

“But first, the court order is that I should be able to see and make copies of the documents and in the day of the word processor, I am not going to accept a PDF. I want to see original documents and I have not received that.

“They gave me a photocopied list of about 25 or 30 contractors but with no contracts; so now I want to see the contracts for each of them. This doesn’t satisfy the order of the court.”

Attorney Matthew Gayle, who leads Look Loy’s legal team alongside Dr Emir Crowne and Crystal Paul, said he will decide—in conjunction with his client—whether or not the supposed omissions by the TTFA were inadvertent. If they believe John-Williams is defying the High Court, it could mean tougher sanctions against the beleaguered football president.

“On the face of it, it would appear that we don’t have all the documents,” said Gayle. “We will be going through documents today with a fine tooth comb and we will discuss [them]; and at that point we will take a definitive position.

“[…] Normally when one has to failed to comply with an order of the High Court, you would then proceed to enforcement—which is further court proceedings and the enforcement of sanctions up to and including jail time. So we would start contempt proceedings; but we are not getting ahead of ourselves.

“We are in the process of confirming whether there has been material non-compliance rather than inadvertent non-compliance.”

At present, John-Williams and David are in Las Vegas for the Concacaf League of Nations draw. Although the 28 year old David controversially travelled as TTFA general secretary while his predecessor Justin Latapy-George was still employed in that position, the current event marks his first official overseas trip as CEO of the local football body.

The TTFA’s First Citizen Bank account is frozen, at present, due to the John-Williams-led body’s failure to satisfy a court ordered payment of $544,943.82 plus interest to the National Futsal Team and their attorneys over a breach of contract.

The TTFA and the National Futsal Team will appear before Master Sherlanne Pierre on 4 April for a ruling on the impasse.

Title: Re: TTFA News Thread.
Post by: Flex on April 11, 2019, 12:41:20 AM
Over $16 million unaccounted from FIFA-funded Home of Football project! TTFA bank records to be searched next.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and general secretary Camara David could be asked to explain a gap in excess of TT$16 million between the quantum of contracts at their headquarters and the budget for the controversial Home of Football in Couva.

The revelation comes as TTFA board member Keith Look Loy, with the support of the High Court, begins his search of football documents in earnest—after a 17-month campaign for transparency in John-Williams’ much-vaunted project.

Although the TTFA constitution states that board members should have full oversight over the entire operation of the body, Look Loy was forced to turn to the High Court to force John-Williams to open the books.

On 20 March, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that the TTFA president and/or his general secretary must furnish Look Loy with: the TTFA ledger for the period of November 2015 to present; the contributions of FIFA, TTFA and the government for the Home of Football and the overall budget for same; the names of all bidding companies or parties in connection with the project; the TTFA personnel who selected contractors and sub-contractors for the project; the name of the project manager; the names of contractors and sub-contractors engaged; the quantum, duration and terms of all contractors associated with the project; and the current financial and construction status of the project.

Look Loy told Wired868 that he was startled by what he observed so far.

“When I added up the quantum of what was stated in the contracts, the grand total was TT$3.189 million; but the grand total of the FIFA contribution for the Home of Football was US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million,” said Look Loy. “So I don’t know how they plan to explain that shortfall; but the gap is over $16 million!”

Neither John-Williams nor David responded to queries from Wired868 about the possible discrepancy—although both recently shared views of the former’s presidency that seemed out of sync with reality.

“We’ve complied with the court order and that’s it; the TTFA has nothing to hide,” John-Williams told the Newsday, after blocking his board member from their financial books for a year and a half. “We’re even willing to open up our books to the media…

“People tend to be critical but they’re not seeing the positive things. It’s just that this president doesn’t talk because it’s not my business to beat my chest. I’m doing my job to the best of my ability.”

And David, John-Williams’ newly appointed general secretary, seemed to question the wisdom of the High Court when he told TTFA attorney Annand Misir: ‘All these documents have already been provided to the TTFA’s General Membership’.

The courts appear to view the work of John-Williams and David differently. In the past four months, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, Justice Margaret Y Mohammed and Master of the Court Sherlanne Pierre all ruled against the football body, which continues to rack up legal defeats despite spending more on legal fees than in any other period in its 111 year history.

Justice Boodoosingh described John-Williams’ behaviour as ‘unreasonable and/or unlawful’ while Justice Mohammed said the TTFA President’s testimony was ‘entirely discredited’ and summarised the conduct of his administration as ‘disingenuous’.

Look Loy called David’s assertion ‘absolute rubbish’ while he also criticised FIFA’s hands-off approach to the mushrooming scandal.

“When I hear they are going to inaugurate the facility in April, I have to assume either a final report from the project manager went to FIFA or FIFA is giving money without a final report,” said Look Loy. “Because I have not seen that final report and FIFA is not going to inaugurate a building that is incomplete. FIFA is not blameless in all of this because concern has been forwarded to FIFA for many months now about this project and they have been going merrily around.

“So I don’t know if FIFA was deceived about the fact that people are working without  proper documentary procedure or if FIFA has been turning a blind eye to it. Every time [FIFA director] Veron Mosengo-Omba comes [to Trinidad], he gives a green light and thumbs up, as if everything is fine [at the Home for Football] and everything is not fine. There are too many unanswered questions.”

Look Loy claimed that not only have John-Williams and David failed to provide supporting paperwork for a minimum of 85 per cent of the money spent on the Home of Football; but, allegedly according to the general secretary, millions might have been spent on the controversial project in cash payments, without formal contracts.

“I was told by Camara David there are service providers who had workers [on the Home of Football project] on a daily paid basis and they had no contracts,” Look Loy told Wired868, “and they were just paid in cash, which they then paid their workers with—so there was no record. So for that reason, we are now calling for [the TTFA’s] bank records.

“[…] I understand some of the [unaccounted TT$16 million] was used to buy televisions and beds for the rooms and so on; but there must be some paper trail for that too.”

Thus far, leaked emails suggest that John-Williams, David and Misir have ignored repeated requests by Look Loy’s attorney, Matthew Gayle, to make bank records available to the board member.

“My lawyer has written to them asking for the bank records because it falls within the ambit of the financial records being made available to us,” he said. “If they want us to return to the court for that, we will do it.”

Thus far, the TTFA has consistently been ordered to pay legal costs to its challengers due to its ‘unreasonable’ behaviour.

Tomorrow, Look Loy intends to hand over the documentation received from the TTFA thus far to a forensic accountant. And, based on the latter’s judgment, the Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president and his legal team of Gayle, Dr Emir Crowne and Crystal Paul will decide if the missing data constitutes a material breach of the High Court order.

If John-Williams and David are felt to have kept contracts from Look Loy, the board member will ask the pair to be held in contempt of court.

Look Loy said among the missing documents is the official lease agreement between the TTFA and Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat for the land used to construct the Home of Football.

He was concerned too that the documents he saw suggested that John-Williams alone was making the calls on the multi-million dollar project with no evidence of board approval.

“Clearly what happened is David John-Williams—I have to assume he is the only person involved—acted like a general contractor and was issuing sub contracts to people, which is ridiculous,” said Look Loy. “He [appeared to be] issuing jobs with no contracts and people were working with no paper trail to show how much work they did and what they were paid.

“It is a financial and administrative mess and I would assume even a legal mess.”

Look Loy was concerned too about the recent revelation, during a court matter between the TTFA and members of the National Futsal Team, that John-Williams might have had ‘personal money’ in the bank account of the football body.

“By any legal definition, that is commingling of funds,” he said.

Look Loy called for an emergency board meeting to address the aforementioned concern and has been supported by Northern Football Association (NFA) representative Raeshawn Mars, Central Football Association (CFA) representative Colin Partap, Football Referees Association (TTFRA) president Joseph Taylor and Women’s League of Football (WOLF) representative Sharon Warrick.

However, he needs two more board members to support his petition before an emergency meeting can be triggered.

The remaining eight board members are: John-Williams (president), Ewing Davis (vice-president), Richard Quan Chan (Southern FA), Anthony Moore (Tobago FA), Julia Baptiste (TT Pro League), Bandele Kamau (Eastern FA), Sherwyn Dyer (Eastern Counties Football Union) and Selby Browne (Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago).

Look Loy claimed local football is in crisis and urged stakeholders to step forward and show their dissatisfaction with the John-Williams-led administration.

“The TTFA cannot receive money without it being taken by Futsal and the [office] staff cannot be paid and are suffering as a result of John-Williams’ mismanagement and poor judgment in provoking court cases that he cannot win,” said Look Loy. “This has wide ranging implications for football, including for this new start up football league [with the TT Pro League and TTSL clubs]. Soon, we will be getting the [former TTFA general secretary] Sheldon Phillips judgment too.

“Effectively the TTFA is bankrupt; it cannot receive money and if it receives it, then it cannot spend it.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 14, 2019, 01:24:37 AM
Cuba shows interest in TTFA Home of Football Facilities.
TTFA Media.


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Home of Football Accommodation hotel and facilities could well be a training base for Cuban athletes in the future.

That was the indication coming from Alex Gonzales first secretary of the Embassy of Cuba in Trinidad and Tobago following his first official tour of the facilities in Couva last week.

Gonzales was led through the site visit by TTFA President David John-Williams and General Secretary Camara David along with other TTFA officials.

“We have coordinated this visit in order to know more of the work of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and to explore new ways of cooperation. We had a really good meeting with the Association and I had the opportunity to see the facilities . It was a nice experience,” Gonzales told TTFA Media.

“I think the idea of increasing the facilities and making it a more comfortable stay will make it a very competitive venue and hopefully we will see more championships here and more friendly matches,” he added.

“This is a very well organised and designed facility. It is also a bit similar to Cuba as you know we have talented sportsmen and women in Cuba and this could only auger well for all athletes. The idea of our visit today to strengthen our relationships and find new ways of cooperation,” Gonzales concluded.

While baseball is the most popular in Cuba other popular sports there include boxing where they are i a dominant force in amateur boxing, consistently achieving high medal tallies in international competitions), volleyball, sailing and basketball as well as football with its national team qualifying for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They have consistently produced top athletic coaches who are called to duty in different countries across the globe.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 17, 2019, 12:34:46 AM
Tim Kee: Home of Football project ‘started with me.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


RAYMOND TIM Kee admits that he conceptualised the Home of Football project and its original base was the former Union Park facility in Marabella, where the Manny Ramjohn Stadium is currently located.

Last Friday, Tim Kee, who served as president of the TTFA (TT Football Association) from 2012-2015, announced his intention to run for office at the TTFA elections, which is expected to take place later this year.

The Home of Football project, which is being constructed next to the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, is yet to be completed.

But current TTFA president David John-Williams has insisted that the he was the brainchild behind the current project.

Tim Kee, in an interview at his Port of Spain office yesterday, said, “The Home of Football started with me.”

According to the businessman and former Port of Spain mayor, he wanted to utilise the turf ground at the Marvin Lee Stadium (now ML Ball Park) in Macoya for the T&T women’s team, who were preparing for the final round qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA World Cup.

“I wrote (them) for the use of the ground for our women to practice, to get accustomed,” said Tim Kee. “They wrote me back and say I have to pay $500 a session. There is where the Home of Football concept was born. I say this must never happen again.”

He continued, “I went to (then Sports Minister Anil) Roberts, identified a piece of land in Marabella, Union Park, and we got the land approved at the Ministry. When I found (the Ministry) were staying too long, and FIFA were saying they would give us some money from the Goal project, I went to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her office in St Clair.

“I told her what was happening, she called Roberts and told him to expedite the project,” added Tim Kee. “So, when (John)-Williams is saying that is his project, that is (not true). FIFA would not approve lands if the lands were not ours. That’s why that (project) started, because of the experience we had with the Centre of Excellence.

“The concept was to have accommodation for our national teams to go in camps in preparation for tournaments. It has nothing to do with (a) hotel. We don’t have the capabilities to run a hotel. That’s a different industry, we are in football.”

Tim Kee wonders if the hotel will generate any income due to its location and the lack of access roads to and from the venue.

“Where the building is located, I don’t know what the thinking was. It couldn’t be for commercial purposes. It seems to be a nice building but take out from there and carry it somewhere else. I predict it would be a white elephant because I do not see who is going to patronise it. I don’t know where the money is coming from to pay for that.”

Tim Kee also spoke of his desire to run for the post as TTFA president, even though he has kept a low profile since his defeat to John-Williams in the 2015 elections.

“I love football, I love my country and I have plenty shame,” he said. “Where football is now is a complete embarrassment to the country and to our people, the majority of whom loves football. For the past two years, I (have been working) at the Maximum Security Prison with Clayton Morris with futsal. We train them to become referees, to coach and (develop) every segment of the game that you can think about. It’s completely voluntary.”

He continued, “I really have the desire to see football come back to where it’s capable of. When I went in, we were number eight in Concacaf and after my first year we were number three in Concacaf. (In) my three years, all national teams had gone into finals in Concacaf and CFU tournaments.

“When I left, I thought there would have been a continuation, a trajectory. What you see now, we are not in anything. We are not a respected football country in the Caribbean. That is why Concacaf representative office is in Jamaica, a FIFA office is in Jamaica and Jamaica is hosting Gold Cup (matches).

“We have the best grounds, the most supporters. What it says is FIFA does not respect us because we don’t respect ourselves anymore. We don’t have any programmes.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: vb on April 20, 2019, 07:00:06 AM
Tim Kee: Home of Football project ‘started with me.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


 What you see now, we are not in anything. We are not a respected football country in the Caribbean. That is why Concacaf representative office is in Jamaica, a FIFA office is in Jamaica and Jamaica is hosting Gold Cup (matches).

“We have the best grounds, the most supporters. What it says is FIFA does not respect us because we don’t respect ourselves anymore. We don’t have any programmes.”




Nail on the fking head!
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 22, 2019, 04:03:08 AM
Cudjoe silent as TTFA row rages on, Govt mum as Home of Football scandal continues on state land.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe remains deafeningly silent as the furore surrounding Trinidad and Tobago’s football continues to intensify in the courts, the board room and, ultimately, the fields of play.

In the past six months alone, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President David John-Williams lost legal cases to ex-General Secretary Sheldon Phillips, Board Member Keith Look Loy, the Normandie Hotel and the entire National Futsal Team.

On 5 May, John-Williams will also take the TTFA back to the High Court to face current Technical Director Anton Corneal, who is suing for breach of contract. And the scandal of the Home of Football project is now an international talking point throughout the region.

Yet, so far, Wired868 has been unable to penetrate Cudjoe’s cloak of communications officers for comment. The Sport Minister has not returned calls or emails on the subject.

The TTFA is formed by an act of Parliament and is headquartered on government property at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. John-Williams’ controversial Home of Football is also built on land leased by the state while the only notable sponsorship deal secured during his tenure is a TT$8 million boon from the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB)—which the football body still benefits from, despite not satisfying the terms of the agreement.

Not to mention the fact that the TTFA fulfils a public service to taxpaying football fans and players on the twin island republic.

In Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh’s ruling against the John-Williams-led body for its unmistakable lack of transparency, the High Court Judge stated that ‘public organisations cannot be run like private fiefdoms’.

Remarkably, Cudjoe has so far chosen to be neither proactive nor reactive. At present, local football is in a state of paralysis, as the decision of Pro League and Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) clubs to move under the direct care of the TTFA saw the country’s top two tiers of football indefinitely postpone the start of their respective seasons—to the chagrin of hundreds of footballers.

The Trinidad and Tobago government’s apparent blind eye towards the TTFA comes at a time when Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi claims to be narrowing in on financial crime through the Civil Asset Recovery and Management and Unexplained Wealth Bill.

And it follows closely on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s outspoken criticism of the supposedly dictatorial and murky management style of former Cricket West Indies President Dave Cameron.

In sharp contrast, the Republic of Ireland’s entire football board served notice of its impending resignation yesterday after the Irish government opened an investigation into the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) through its Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

Irish Sport Minister Shane Ross made it clear that the FAI will receive ‘no further government funding’ until the ruling party sees ‘real change and reform in the Association’s corporate governance, and until we have credible answers’.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar went further, as he assured Irish football fans that his government shared the ‘anger of football fans and concerns of taxpayers about how the FAI has been run’.

“The objective must be to restore confidence in how the FAI is being run and make sure that we can get back to do what we should be doing,” Mr Varadkar said. “That is promoting this sport, funding it at grassroots level for participation by young people and women in particular, and making sure that this really popular sport across the country is able to focus on what it does best.”

The FAI row began after a Parliamentary committee flagged a curious €100,000 (TT$766,111) loan between the football body and its vice-president John Delaney. Delaney offered to step down today.

In contrast, Look Loy found TT$16 million unaccounted for in John-Williams’ Home of Football project, built on state land.

“When I added up the quantum of what was stated in the contracts, the grand total was TT$3.189 million; but the grand total of the FIFA contribution for the Home of Football was US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million,” said Look Loy. “So I don’t know how they plan to explain that shortfall; but the gap is over TT$16 million!”

John-Williams refused comment on the financial discrepancy while his General Secretary Camara David’s attempt to explain should also have caught Al Rawi’s attention.

“I was told by Camara David there are service providers who had workers [on the Home of Football project] on a daily paid basis and they had no contracts,” said Look Loy, “and they were just paid in cash, which they then paid their workers with—so there was no record…”

Millions of dollars allegedly handed out in cash on a project run by a national body on state-owned land?

The current PNM government has spoken repeatedly on its desire for transparent governance and sound financial conduct. If that applies anywhere, there is certainly little sign of its application in Cudjoe’s neck of the woods.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on April 22, 2019, 04:53:02 AM
Honestly, I think the gov't should not get involved at this moment. They have other important things to see about. Crime.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on April 24, 2019, 04:54:11 AM
The Minister of Sport's silence is judicious. It would be premature to comment publicly at the moment.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on May 26, 2019, 10:38:00 AM
Enter Gillette: Swim president coos over DJW and Home of Football in debut appearance.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) president and former Energy Minister and Petrotrin chairman Lindsay Gillette made his first public splash in local football yesterday, in a remarkably unremarkable press conference at his Woodford Street, Port of Spain office.

By Gillette’s retelling, the media gathering marked ‘a historic moment’ in the local game.

“I call it the rebirth of football, for want of a better term,” said Gillette, who was making his first public appearance as League Commission chairman—a post he has held for barely two months.

Dutifully, sport journalists present, almost to a man, used ‘rebirth’ in their subsequent headlines. In truth, precious little was said on Monday that had not been aired four months ago when UEFA and Concacaf delegates gave their first media briefing on the proposed competition, which is a combination of the Pro League and Super League bodies.

This merger, mind you, has been so long discussed that it was formally raised back in 2015 when the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) ushered in its new constitution.

The problems identified four years ago—and for almost all of the 19 year existence of the Pro League—is at what price should lower league clubs be granted access to the top flight; and what to do with top tier clubs that did not perform well enough on the field to keep their spots.

The Pro League clubs insisted that they invested millions on their product and needed to protect this investment. And the lower tier outfits argued that the criteria for promotion—a large bond and guaranteed contracts for between 15 to 20 players—was too expensive and was not being met by many of the Pro League clubs anyway.

The ‘solution’ agreed to by the parties speaks volumes about the integrity of the enterprise.

The Pro League’s 10 clubs will keep out all interlopers for Year One and allow one TTSL team to join their ranks in Year Two and Three respectively, once the promoted clubs agree to offer guaranteed contracts to 18 players expected to be valued at a minimum of TT$3,000.

So, by the end of the three year project, there would be zero relegations from Tier One of the competition-formerly-known-as-the-Pro-League with two promotions for clubs willing to meet the significant financial burden for entry.

Naturally, there is no word yet on how clubs will be policed to ensure player contracts are honoured, or what penalties negligent teams would incur.

The ‘fix’, arguably, bears a striking resemblance to the problem.

Gillette was not a man to be bogged down by details, though. The result was a 25-minute press conference in which the League Commission chairman repeated the words ‘transparency’ and ‘accountable’ like a mantra—arguably more times than wayward former NBA star Allen Iverson said ‘practice’ in his unforgettable press conference—without, arguably, providing much of either.

Wired868: “So, to be clear, we are having this press conference; but we are not sure about the date for the start of the League, the breakdown of money [from SPORTT and the TTFA] for the League, or the name of the League…”

Gillette (with a broad smile): “[But] aren’t you glad we are having it, to at least say that [the Pro League and Super League clubs] are having an agreement? […] I think within a next month, we will have all that clearly defined and we will do another one.

“What we want to do is bring you all up to date with every step of the way.”

An update on the new League—christened the ‘T-League’ in some quarters—was not Gillette’s only objective on Monday. Perhaps there was a hint in his opening statement.

“What I think [TTFA president] David John-Williams wants us to achieve this morning is to say what good is happening in football,” said a beaming Gillette. “A lot of things have happened that is good. I know there has been a lot of negativity around football over the past year and through the influence of UEFA as well as FIFA and [TTFA general secretary] Camara [David] and John-Williams, we have been able to do good things on the Commission, since this thing started.”

John-Williams, Gillette explained, was unavailable due to a supposed meeting with Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe. These days, one seems as likely to see a soucouyant building a sand castle at Maracas beach as to find John-Williams fielding questions from Wired868.

In any case, Gillette was an impressive proxy, enthusiastic, charming and straightforward—all without actually answering questions.

Four months ago, Concacaf delegates promised a June kickoff for the new competition. So, a reporter wanted to know, is there a new start date?

David: “The League is supposed to start in August or September. We want to start in mid-August or September for the latest…”

It was a very Caribbean bit of time-keeping. Like telling a friend that you would meet him promptly at around 5 or 6; or, for the latest, 8pm. But even that was too revealing for Gillette’s taste.

Gillette (interjects): “[…] Hoping to! I want to be very clear about that. We have a lot of work to do between now and then and we don’t want to start on the wrong foot.”

The former Petrotrin chairman is fond of being very clear, especially when he is being vague.

On 28 January 2019, Concacaf official Howard McIntosh revealed that the money injected into the League will come from the following sources: TT$6.3 million from the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, US$1.5 million (TT$10.1 million) from FIFA Forward Programme funds due to the TTFA and US$175,000 (TT$1.2 million) from Concacaf’s subvention to the local football body.

Wired868: “Can you give us a breakdown of where the money is coming from?”

Gillette: “Right now I’d rather stay away from that because we are trying to ensure that this thing balances properly. We don’t want to go into deficit—I don’t want to go into a deficit—so we are going in a back and forth in terms of the numbers. We just wanted to make sure that everyone is aware of what we’re doing and not keep it hidden.

“We want to be as open as possible. But of course we still have to balance this budget properly and we are very, very close to determining exactly what we are going to spend over the next three years.”

Wired868: “[…] Can you give us a date when we will get the exact figures?”

Gillette: “I don’t want to give that date, yet. I don’t have conclusion with our matters with UEFA, neither the Ministry… I don’t want you to hold me to a date that I can’t keep. I am being very upfront with respect to that.”

What about the delay in starting the League then? Why, Wired868 asked, have they failed so miserably to reach the June target agreed to by all parties back in January?

Gillette: “A lot of [the delay is down to] administration in terms of the way we go forward; and there is so much regulations from FIFA because that is the people who are putting the money forward for the programme. And what I’ve been told, it’s not the old FIFA, it’s the new FIFA. (Laughs) So we have to dot our I’s and cross our T’s, because it opens up total transparency and total accountability; and I am happy for that.”

What does the ‘old FIFA’ have to do with anything? The timeline was very much set under the ‘new FIFA’, just five months ago; and everyone surely knew then that the League would need administrators.

But, to be fair, he did use catchphrases like ‘total transparency’ and ‘total accountability’; so what’s not to like with that response?

“What is the name of the League?” asked another reporter.

“That’s a good ,” said Gillette, with a good natured laugh. “Some people bandied about [the name] ‘T-League’ and it seems to be gaining strength…”

A press conference to announce a League that, after five months, still has not been named? It would be interesting to know if Gillette did similar launches with any of his private businesses.

Not that anyone was allowed to stray from the point at hand. One reporter, Kent Fuentes, asked whether there was concern by the League Commission as to the impact a lack of domestic football might have on the fortunes of the Soca Warriors for the June 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Gillette: “Can we, before we answer that, try to stick to what we are discussing. Because it is what we’re trying to achieve today… Our objective is to make football self-sufficient in the next three years.”

The ‘before we answer that’ riposte was apparently a euphemism. Gillette never did answer Fuentes’ query. And his suggestion that a discussion on the Men’s National Senior Team—through the context of the collective feet dragging of the League Commission—was too far off course to be taken seriously, seemed all the more curious when he suddenly conjured up a change of scenery for the press corps.

Gillette: “Have you been to the Home of Football? It’s an incredible project, eh? An incredible project. I think we are the only ones with that sort of facility in this region…”

He proceeded to spend roughly four minutes explaining why the facility, mired in controversy due to a shocking lack of transparency, was the answer to Trinidad and Tobago’s sport tourism problems.

And, just moments after declaring the Soca Warriors to be off-topic, Gillette explained how the Couva facility would be used by ‘probably 250 people’ for the Pan American Junior Water Polo competition in two months time.

Gillette: “Whoever did [the Home of Football] had great foresight; great, great, great foresight. So congratulations to the TTFA; because it is all built, it is finished.

“[…] It’s a great thing that Trinidad has right now. It’s a gem; I call it a gem. The whole facility, the whole area; it is a gem…”

Wired868: “Are you aware that there are aspects of the Home of Football that are before the courts right now?”

Gillette: “I am not…”

There was an uncharacteristically long pause from the head table. Perhaps Gillette reasoned that his supposed ignorance of TTSL president Keith Look Loy’s battle for transparency in the construction of the Home of Football—fully supported by the High Court—was more than even he could pull off.

Gillette: “I have heard about it; but that’s another story. Let’s put it that way.”

And in this case, ‘let’s put it that way’ was probably a roundabout way of suggesting where Wired868 could put that interruption.

While the League Commission has struggled to get its competition up and running, Terminix and La Horquetta Rangers director Richard Ferguson put over $2 million on the table for an invitational pre-season tournament for the Tier One and Two clubs.

The proposed competition offers an appearance fee of TT$2,000 per match for Tier One clubs and half that for teams in Tier Two, as well as prize money ranging between TT$300,000 and TT$75,000 in the top flight and TT$75,000 and TT$25,000 in the second division.

San Juan Jabloteh, Club Sando, Police FC, Defence Force, Morvant Caledonia United and Rangers have already confirmed their participation along with FC Santa Rosa and Cunupia FC who—in a gesture not reciprocated by the League Commission—were invited to the top flight, by virtue of being the TTSL league and knockout champions respectively.

Defending Pro League champions W Connection, owned by John-Williams, turned down the invite while Central FC, North East Stars and Point Fortin Civic allegedly failed to meet the deadline and were not considered.

Gillette said he hopes the Terminix-sponsored competition fills a gap in the dormant local game before the new League kicks off, sometime later this year. The TTFA has verbally sanctioned the competition but is yet to put that in writing.

Gillette: “I will be upfront with you, they still have to write that letter… I hope they agree with the sanctioning letter. Because you know there can be a funny thing between the letter writer and the receiver.” (Laughs)

Wired868: “Are there any terms in there TTFA letter that we should know about?”

Gillette: “Well, I think when it is worked out then you will see it… There is [mention of] appearance fees and there is also prize money for first, second and third place. My concern? That the money gets paid; that’s all. (Laughs) That football is played and money is paid.”

The Pro League has not paid out any prize money to its clubs for the last four years. It is uncertain if Ferguson would appreciate the irony of John-Williams’ concern that bills are paid.

And speaking of unpaid bills, Wired868 understands that TTFA staff have not been paid salaries since March. Had David been paid? And could he confirm the fate of his office staff or offer any words of consolation to them?

“I won’t talk about that,” said David, who promptly swivelled on his heels and walked off.

It was an interesting contrast. A churlish general secretary who would not even pretend to try to answer a pertinent question; and an effervescent commissioner who was better at pretending to respond to questions than actually answering them.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on May 27, 2019, 10:43:05 AM
 :applause:
No matter how they treat you

"You Is Smart, You Is Kind, You Is Important"
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on May 28, 2019, 02:29:00 PM
Shades of Jack and Ollie Camps. But I am sure Gillette is no Camps, though.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on July 09, 2019, 12:32:31 AM
Home of Football is no excuse for lack of transparency! Shaka, Maylee and Kelvin blast DJW.
By Wired868.com.


“I also fully recognise that a lot of our problems have been a long time in the making. The dictatorial approach that got us in the problem in the first place is not what will get us out of it…”

In the following Letter to the Editor, former Trinidad and Tobago international football stars, Shaka Hislop, Maylee Attin-Johnson and Kelvin Jack blast Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams on his stewardship of local football:

Kelvin Jack, Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2006 goalkeeper: “There are moments when change must be pursued and that time is now. David John-Williams’ continued ineptitude is having a negative effect that has debilitated football in Trinidad and Tobago. Our young players need the correct environment to improve and to grow. The current TTFA leadership is incapable of providing such.

“David John-Williams has demonstrated beyond doubt that he cannot improve the reputation of TTFA or instil trust among potential sponsors and stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago. I believe that the establishment of a united administration is of huge importance to lead the TTFA out of the current mess that has made us a laughing stock among our rivals.”

Maylee Attin-Johnson, former Women’s National Senior Team captain: “It is extremely imperative that the person/persons given the responsibility to run football in our country has the ability, aptitude, experience, knowledge and humility to properly execute this responsibility to improve the inefficiencies plaguing our football.

In the past, football in our country has experienced difficult times, but never as woeful and disastrous as [in] the present. This current administration has taken our football beyond the depths of despair. Its members have acted in ways that have undermined and destroyed the bedrock of the sport in our country. If any of these men and women have any pride and patriotism, they will do the honourable thing and step down, and allow for the rebuilding process to begin.

“Sport in itself is a powerful vehicle, and by extension football. It is a sport that had a powerful impact on my life. It is heartbreaking knowing that the next generation of players will be deprived of fulfilling their dreams and the opportunities of representing our national teams because of the incompetence and dictatorship of this administration.”

Shaka Hislop, former Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2006 goalkeeper and West Ham United captain: “I’d like to add to the chorus of voices of disapproval in the way our football has been progressing of late. There seems to be a dictatorial approach to all things concerning decisions made, a total disregard for voices and opinions of those who were elected and appointed into positions of prominence within our TTFA board and supporting administration.

“I also take the opportunity to say our building a Home of Football is not a long term plan. Building a Home of Football is not an excuse for a lack of transparency. Building a Home of Football does not disguise our performances on the pitch or, quite frankly, off it.

“I also fully recognise that a lot of our problems have been a long time in the making. The dictatorial approach that got us in the problem in the first place is not what will get us out of it.

“So please let’s take this opportunity to again go back to our constitution; how it was redrafted, why it was redrafted and the spirit it was—in the hope of moving our football forward by having a diversity of voices and opinions in making decisions in plotting our path forward.”

Title: Jamaica’s Minister of Sport impressed with Home of Football
Post by: Tallman on August 20, 2019, 03:01:11 PM
Jamaica’s Minister of Sport impressed with Home of Football
TTFA Media


The Honourable Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Sport, Culture, Gender and Entertainment paid a visit to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Home of Football facilities in Couva on Tuesday morning, delivering glowing remarks following her tour of the venue.

Grange said she was thoroughly impressed with what she had seen as she was led on the tour by TTFA President David John-Williams and General Secretary Camara David. She was accompanied by Jamaican High Commissioner to T&T Arthur H.W. Williams

“I’m very impressed with the sports infrastructure that I see here,” Grange told TTFA Media.

“It’s important to invest in sports facilities for your athletes because our athletes are primarily young people and we have to engage them. They are extremely talented and so I am impressed with what is happening here in Trinidad and Tobago with the sport facilities that you have . I specifically requested to visit the Cycling Velodrome and the Aquatic Centre and then I was surprised when I came here to see there is also this fantastic build out of football facilities including a hotel,” she continued.

“I really want to congratulate the Trinidad and Tobago Government, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) for this wonderful work that is being done. As brothers and sisters in the region I know that we can share best practices. I have benefited a lot from what I see here today.

“As you know, Ato Boldon is coaching Briana Williams who is our rising star from Jamaica so that collaboration and partnership already exist and we just have to build on it. I’m looking forward to more collaborations and maybe we can send our athletes here for training camps and Trinidad and Tobago can make use of our facilities. We have the largest sports college in the region, the G.C. Foster College of Education & Sport and Trinidad and Tobago can benefit from some collaborations with our training facility or institution in Jamaica. It is an opportunity for us to work together and I just want to congratulate Trinidad and Tobago for what I have seen. I am most impressed,” Grange concluded.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on August 20, 2019, 08:19:59 PM
Aye, Babsy ...
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 14, 2019, 12:38:36 AM
Home of Football to be opened next month.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


THE CONTROVERSIAL Home of Football, next to the Ato Boldon Stadium, National Aquatic Centre and National Cycling Velodrome in Balmain, Couva is expected to be opened next month, according to David John-Williams, president of the TT Football Association (TTFA).

John-Williams was speaking during the TV6 Morning Edition yesterday.

The Home of Football project comprises of training fields, a sports and entertainment centre, and a 72-room hotel at Balmain.

“We expect to open it on the first week of next month for business,” John-Williams said.

The TTFA boss stressed that this was not a strategy ahead of the TTFA elections, which is due by the end of November.

“We were planning to open it in April of this year. We got a garnishee from the Futsal Association freezing our bank accounts. FIFA withheld our funding (but) people say this is timed for our opening.

“We have an income generation process with an entertainment centre, which is separate from the hotel,” John-Williams added. “We can develop a national academy. We have six training fields, three already completed. We have a facility where all our kids can train regularly. We don’t have to worry about where we’re going to eat and where we’re going to sleep.”

John-Williams also defended his tenure as TTFA president, including the work done by men’s team coach Dennis Lawrence.

“I have watched the team play against Martinique (on Monday) and I can say that the team is well-prepared,” said the TTFA boss. “We live in a society of instant gratification.”

He admitted that former coach Stephen Hart was not fired, but there was a mutual parting of ways.

Video - TTFA President speaks on Morning Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZM2fFLI6Wg)

Title: TTFA Home of Football gets T&TEC connection
Post by: Tallman on November 07, 2019, 01:28:22 PM
TTFA Home of Football gets T&TEC connection
TTFA Media


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Home of Football received connection from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission on November 5th 2019.

TTFA President, David John Williams made the announcement of this historic event, stating, “It is the first time in the 111 year existence of the Association that the TTFA has two properties connected to the National Electrical Power Grid.”

Mr John Williams expressed thanks to all who contributed and provided the support have this achievement made possible.

He thanked all the persons at T&TEC, names to numerous to mention, in particular the personnel at SporTT for their patience and understanding, despite the inconvenience of having to shut down their facilities to make the connection possible.

The TTFA President thanked all members of the TTFA for their belief, support, trust and demand for accountability and transparency in sharing the vision for the significant revenue generating benefits to be derived from the TTFA for the first time in its history, having its Home of Football.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on November 11, 2019, 01:38:01 AM
John-Williams wants fresh TTFA mandate.
By Keith Clement (Guardian).


Less than 24 hours af­ter he of­fi­cial­ly opened the Home of Foot­ball at the Ato Boldon Sta­di­um in Bal­main, Cou­va, on Sat­ur­day, em­bat­tled David John-Williams an­nounced on Sun­day, his can­di­da­cy for re-elec­tion as T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion (TTFA) pres­i­dent at the an­nu­al gen­er­al meet­ing (AGM) on No­vem­ber 24.

He fell short of de­clar­ing his slate but said all his doc­u­men­ta­tion had been lodged with the TTFA Elec­toral Com­mit­tee well with­in the dead­line which was set back on Oc­to­ber 14.

John-Williams’ an­nounce­ment comes ex­act­ly a week af­ter his chal­lengers, the Unit­ed TTFA which is led by board mem­ber and Sec­ondary Schools Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion pres­i­dent William Wal­lace, launched their slate.

John-Williams will be chal­lenged by Wal­lace and Richard Fer­gu­son, own­er of Ter­minix La Hor­quet­ta Rangers and man­ag­ing di­rec­tor of Ter­minix Lim­it­ed, for lead­er­ship of the 111-year-old or­gan­i­sa­tion.

The Unit­ed TTFA will al­so in­clude Sam Phillip, a Su­per League board mem­ber, Cen­tral Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion sec­re­tary Clynt Tay­lor and Women’s Foot­ball League pres­i­dent Su­san Joseph-War­rick. Fer­gu­son’s slate has put up Pro League club ex­ec­u­tive Ray­mond Thom and Cen­tral Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion (CFA) pres­i­dent Shymdeo Go­sine. Ed­di­son Dean, who was ini­tial­ly on Fer­gu­son’s slate for the first vice-pres­i­dent po­si­tion, with­drew to sup­port the Unit­ed TTFA’s push for pow­er.

John-Williams, who was elect­ed to the po­si­tion back in 2015, told Guardian Me­dia Sports yes­ter­day that there’s no suc­cess with­out change and no change with­out con­flict, some­thing he said he kept re­mind­ing him­self about dur­ing his first term as TTFA pres­i­dent.

Dur­ing Sat­ur­day’s tour of the Home of Foot­ball fa­cil­i­ties, John-Williams, who was ac­com­pa­nied by gen­er­al sec­re­tary Ca­ma­ra David and mem­bers of staff, said, “Not every­one has agreed with me or my poli­cies. Some per­sons have un­der­mined, at­tempt­ed to de­stroy, ma­lign, at­tack and dam­age me, the TTFA and by ex­ten­sion T&T foot­ball. “Notwith­stand­ing this, but by the grace of the Almighty, and the tru­ly faith­ful, I am still stand­ing.

“Com­ing in­to the TTFA in 2015 brought chal­lenges, too many to men­tion on this oc­ca­sion, but I’ve em­braced them and found in­no­v­a­tive ways to rise above them. It was im­per­a­tive to hit the re­set but­ton. Guid­ed by the man­date giv­en by the mem­ber­ship, I’ve worked tire­less­ly to re­store the good name of the TTFA.”

John-Williams’ four-year term has been marred with con­tro­ver­sy aligned to sev­er­al le­gal bat­tles, in­clud­ing the courts or­der­ing the freez­ing of the TTFA bank ac­count. He has al­so been crit­i­cised for the poor per­for­mances of na­tion­al teams, a lack of trans­paren­cy dur­ing the build­ing of the Home of Foot­ball and has even been la­belled a dic­ta­tor.

How­ev­er, he said he was still able to get things his team pri­ori­tised dur­ing the pe­ri­od.

“Quick fix­es are not al­ways pos­si­ble or a re­al­is­tic ex­pec­ta­tion. While some may dis­agree with the or­der of pri­or­i­ties ad­dressed by the cur­rent ad­min­is­tra­tion, and some of the de­ci­sions made, we placed fo­cus on many achieve­ments since as­sum­ing of­fice in 2015.”

Among the suc­cess­es over the last four years, he list­ed the fol­low­ing:

1. Con­struc­tion of qual­i­ty fa­cil­i­ties that will cre­ate the op­por­tu­ni­ty to pro­vide rev­enue streams to bring fi­nan­cial sta­bil­i­ty to the TTFA, oth­er NSOs and the coun­try at large through the op­por­tu­ni­ty to fur­ther de­vel­op the sports tourism in­dus­try.

2. Restor­ing FI­FA fund­ing which was sus­pend­ed dur­ing the term of the last ad­min­is­tra­tion

3. Pro­duc­ing au­dit­ed fi­nan­cial state­ments for every year from 2015 on­wards

4. Pay­ing down debts from pre­vi­ous ad­min­is­tra­tions—To date over $12 mil­lion paid

5. In­creas­ing rev­enue sig­nif­i­cant­ly by our se­nior team play­ing in­ter­na­tion­al friend­ly match­es on the FI­FA dates against high-lev­el op­po­nents

6. Bring­ing ex­pen­di­ture in line with rev­enues and re­duc­ing the de­pen­den­cy on the trea­sury for fund­ing of the sport.

7. Em­brac­ing tech­nol­o­gy and IT ex­per­tise to fur­ther en­hance and im­prove as­pects of our on-field pro­grammes, ad­min­is­tra­tion and mar­ket­ing

8. Es­tab­lish­ing a com­pre­hen­sive youth de­vel­op­ment pro­gramme on the ba­sis of tried and test­ed mod­els that were ably sup­port­ed by the NL­CB

9. Strength­en­ing and deep­en­ing in­ter­nal and ex­ter­nal gov­er­nance with ac­count­abil­i­ty, that has re­paired dam­aged re­la­tion­ships with re­gion­al and in­ter­na­tion­al bod­ies such as CFU, CON­CA­CAF & FI­FA.

Busi­ness­man John-Williams, the for­mer own­er of Pro League club W Con­nec­tion added, “The work of this ad­min­is­tra­tion sim­ply can­not be mea­sured sole­ly by wins or loss­es on the field, but by a greater ap­pre­ci­a­tion for all that has been achieved through­out my tenure. Over the next two weeks, many ques­tions will be an­swered and a lot will be re­vealed which will con­tin­ue to open the eyes of the mem­bers of the TTFA.

“It is be­cause of this I must say, it is time to fin­ish what we start­ed. There is too much that is fun­da­men­tal­ly im­por­tant right now to al­low the ad­min­is­tra­tion of T&T Foot­ball to al­ter the planned strate­gic ini­tia­tives at this time. We’re at the cusp of the break­through that will see our game soar again. As such, af­ter much prayer and con­sul­ta­tion with many stake­hold­ers, I have de­cid­ed to seek re-elec­tion as pres­i­dent of the Trinidad & To­ba­go Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion.”

Asked about the cost to out the 72-room ho­tel, a sports and en­ter­tain­ment cen­tre and train­ing fields which is on the same com­pound with the Na­tion­al Aquat­ic Cen­tre and Na­tion­al Cy­cling Velo­drome in Bal­main, he re­spond­ed, “It cost $1.5 mil­lion to out­fit and now foot­ball has a home with an as­set of an es­ti­mat­ed $100 mil­lion which all of T&T must be proud of and the TTFA’s aim is to be first with­in the gov­ern­ment’s sports tourism pro­gramme. On Mon­day (No­vem­ber 18, 2019), the TTFA is ful­ly open for busi­ness which will help in re­duc­ing our debt which is over $34 mil­lion.”

John-Williams said the en­ter­tain­ment cen­tre, which is sep­a­rate from the ho­tel as­pect of the busi­ness plan, would be a ma­jor in­come gen­er­a­tor.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on November 11, 2019, 06:34:50 AM
Steups
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on November 11, 2019, 05:39:30 PM
Steups
why stewps? the guy have done some good give him that, he wasn’t all worthless like Ollie camps who did absolutely nothing for football, but I still maintain that he’s no good for football and he should be voted out with immediate effect.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 12, 2019, 07:33:07 AM
Let's start here:

Quote
8. Es­tab­lish­ing a com­pre­hen­sive youth de­vel­op­ment pro­gramme on the ba­sis of tried and test­ed mod­els that were ably sup­port­ed by the NL­CB

This "success" is nonsense. Just words. Do the homework.
Title: FIFA boss, PM for Home of Football opening
Post by: Tallman on November 14, 2019, 06:31:20 AM
FIFA boss, PM for Home of Football opening
By Yohance Simonette (T&T Newsday)


FIFA president Gianni Infantino will attend the official opening ceremony of the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva on November 18.

The announcement was made this evening via a press release issued by the TT Football Association.

Infantino, along with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, will open the facility. This will be his second visit to TT as he also turned the sod at the commemoration ceremony in 2017.

He will be accompanied by Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, along with other FIFA and Concacaf officials.
Title: The home of football opening ceremony
Post by: davyjenny1 on November 18, 2019, 10:49:52 AM
https://www.facebook.com/CCNTV6/videos/717264579104167/
Title: Re: The home of football opening ceremony
Post by: asylumseeker on November 18, 2019, 11:29:12 AM
De PM forgets that Gianni is Swiss.
Title: Re: The home of football opening ceremony
Post by: asylumseeker on November 18, 2019, 11:45:45 AM
Well played, Mr. Prime Minister. You struck the right notes in your delivery. Endorsed DJW's efforts in making the project happen, but subtly sending the message that the taxpayers have a firm interest in the outcome and that whosoever runs the show must act accordingly. 
Title: Re: The home of football opening ceremony
Post by: asylumseeker on November 18, 2019, 12:07:33 PM
Really good questions by James Saunders. He's not asking easy questions.

It's stunning how many individuals in football are afraid to make clear unequivocal statements in public and hide behind "staying away from the politics" when in fact they are in inherently political positions that are vested with a firm public interest.
Title: Re: The home of football opening ceremony
Post by: asylumseeker on November 18, 2019, 12:20:38 PM
Great line by Infantino: "I knew that in Trinidad and Tobago you could run fast, but I didn't know that you could build fast."
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on November 19, 2019, 02:40:08 AM
PM wants no more excuses from TTFA .
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


Prime Min­is­ter Dr Kei­th Row­ley says the foot­ball fra­ter­ni­ty should have no more ex­cus­es for its poor state, both on and off the field, in the fu­ture now.

His com­ment came as he wit­nessed the open­ing of the Home of Foot­ball at Bal­main, Cou­va, by Trinidad and To­ba­go Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion pres­i­dent David John-Williams.

The mil­lion-dol­lar fa­cil­i­ty was con­struct­ed on land do­nat­ed to the TTFA by the Gov­ern­ment and fund­ing came via FI­FA grant.

De­liv­er­ing the fea­ture ad­dress in front a large crowd, Row­ley, sig­nalling that the time had come for the sport to be­come self-suf­fi­cient, said, “In our schools, we have boys and girls who are re­ly­ing on the man­age­ment of this sport and not on the Gov­ern­ment.

“The Gov­ern­ment has played its part and will con­tin­ue to play its part, but what is miss­ing is the man­age­ment we used to have when peo­ple served for ser­vice sake and pro­duced from it the tal­ent that was wait­ing for that help­ing hand.”

The Prime Min­is­ter, who, along with FI­FA pres­i­dent Gi­an­ni In­fan­ti­no and CON­CA­CAF pres­i­dent Vic­tor Mon­tagliani, was in­vit­ed to of­fi­cial­ly open the fa­cil­i­ty, added, “To­day ladies and gen­tle­men, if we are fa­mil­iar with fail­ure, it is in the area of the man­age­ment of our sport. We fea­tured promi­nent­ly in many sports at the high­est in­ter­na­tion­al lev­els, led by vol­un­teers with far less re­sources than we have now.

“My friend Hase­ly Craw­ford is here, he won an Olympic Gold medal and we had no sta­di­um and no track, but he won it. To­day, we have these fa­cil­i­ties and we now have ab­solute­ly no ex­cuse if we be­have our­selves and ac­cept from the tax­pay­ers the hun­dreds of mil­lions of dol­lars and the land we have made avail­able to those of you who man­age foot­ball.”

He added, “So hav­ing part­nered with you, hav­ing part­nered with foot­ball to make this pub­lic as­set land avail­able to you, and mon­ey avail­able to those in­volved in the man­age­ment of the game, the tax­pay­ers can ex­pect no less but a dra­mat­ic im­prove­ment, and a full use of the fa­cil­i­ty in the vi­sion in which it was pre­sent­ed and the way it was de­signed.”

The fa­cil­i­ty is ex­pect­ed to be a rev­enue-gen­er­at­ing as­set for the TTFA that will ease the sport’s de­pen­den­cy on gov­ern­ment and cor­po­rate T&T fund­ing.

FI­FA boss In­fan­ti­no, who al­so had a hand in con­vinc­ing Row­ley to hand over the land for the con­struc­tion of the fa­cil­i­ty a few years ago, called on Gov­ern­ment to name the Ato Boldon Sta­di­um the new Ato Boldon Na­tion­al Sta­di­um of T&T. Look­ing at Row­ley, he al­so jok­ing­ly said that if the TTFA is giv­en the sta­di­um to run, the Gov­ern­ment can still run the Com­mon­wealth Games in 2021.

He thanked Row­ley, Mon­tagliani, John-Williams and all those who con­tributed to the Home of Foot­ball be­com­ing a re­al­i­ty, not­ing that when he was cam­paign­ing to be­come FI­FA pres­i­dent, he came to T&T not ex­pect­ing to find some­one who had the heart beat­ing for foot­ball in T&T.

“I was not be­liev­ing to find some­one like this in T&T, I have to say the truth be­cause T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion was more or less in the same state as FI­FA. David was say­ing in sham­bles, and I said sham­bles was maybe a com­pli­ment.”

Al­so ad­dress­ing the gath­er­ing, John-Williams said when they as­sumed of­fice it con­firmed to them that the or­gan­i­sa­tion re­quired re­struc­tur­ing and need­ed to be put on a sound fi­nan­cial path. He said while some may ex­pect him to beat his chest for the con­struc­tion of the fa­cil­i­ty he would do no such thing, as it was just one spoke in the strate­gic wheel that was quick­ly ac­cel­er­at­ing to put T&T foot­ball on a sus­tain­able path.

Af­ter­wards, Row­ley, In­fan­ti­no, Mon­tagliani and a large crowd of dig­ni­taries that in­clud­ed for­mer French in­ter­na­tion­al Youri Djorka­eff were tak­en on a tour of the fa­cil­i­ty.

But while scores turned up for the event, mem­bers of the Unit­ed TTFA slate head­ed by William Wal­lace, who will be tak­ing on John-Williams and his slate for the TTFA helm this Sun­day, were ab­sent. How­ev­er, Richard Fer­gu­son, the oth­er pres­i­den­tial can­di­date, was on hand.

How­ev­er, sev­er­al oth­er for­mer play­ers, coach­es and ad­min­is­tra­tive mem­bers were on hand, among them Os­mond Down­er, Ron La For­rest, Lester Os­una, Bertille St Clair and Brent San­cho.

RELATED NEWS

‘FIFA was a mafia’
By Narissa Fraser (Newsday).


PM praises TTFA boss for Home of Football but says…

THE PRIME Minister has said it took a lot of persistence from TTFA (TT Football Association) president David John-Williams for him to agree to assist with the Home of Football project.

At the facility’s official opening ceremony yesterday afternoon in Balmain, Couva, Dr Keith Rowley said he considered FIFA "a mafia,” so initially he dismissed John-Williams’ proposals.

“David John-Williams came to me in my capacity as Prime Minister and I said, ‘David, I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to hear.’

“As a football fan – if not fanatic – I watched, from the Parliament, FIFA becoming an international disgrace. In speaking as a parliamentarian in TT, to FIFA and to those who ran it – many of who were familiar to us – I had reason to put on Hansard and elsewhere, on political platforms, that FIFA was a mafia. And having said that, I also included Concacaf.” He said a colleague had to apologise for his “mafia” comments while in Switzerland, but he stood by them. “Well, if it was a mafia, you couldn’t call it a dog. FIFA was a mafia.”

But he said John-Williams was persistent, so he began considering the idea. “Eventually, to save myself from David, I allowed myself to see to it that he came (to see me). And he convinced me that he had an idea, a good idea, and this idea could work and it could improve our situation.”

He described the state of football at that time as a disaster. Rowley said he needed assurance from the TTFA boss that FIFA could be changed, and was then told FIFA president Gianni Infantino was the candidate TTFA would be supporting in the elections of February 26, 2016.

John-Williams told him, “ I want to bring to you the idea that there's somebody who’s running for FIFA’S leadership, and if that person wins, we would be able to change football and change FIFA.”

The other candidates were Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne, Michel Platini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale.

“I said, ‘Who is that?’ Because as far as I was concerned, all of them was mafioso. And worse – an Italian.

“He, too, had this idea about what could happen here, and David’s idea apparently was sold to him. He bought the idea and he asked me whether in fact I would help.”

The PM said his next question was: “How can the government assist?” and the discussion about state land began.

He said he told Infantino to ensure he ran FIFA with transparency and integrity moving forward.

“I was given a FIFA flag dated April 10, 2017. I took that flag back to my office at home and I put it on a bookshelf over my head. It was my intention to throw it in the dustbin sometime soon after, but I can tell you, last night I looked at the flag, and it is still there and I was pleased to know today, I could go back at home and look at that flag for keeps.”

He said the Government has always been and will continue to be a major supporter of football locally.

TTFA’s Home of Football is Officially Opened.
TTFA Media.


FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alongside Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani, initiated today a tour of Caribbean and Central American countries with a first stop in Trinidad and Tobago. The highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) Home of Football.

The new Home of Football, which was funded through FIFA’s Forward Programme, features three full-size natural grass pitches and provides a modern infrastructure for the development of football on the islands. At the inauguration ceremony, President Infantino took to the stage alongside Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe, and TTFA President David John-Williams.
 “I am honoured and proud to be here today in Trinidad and Tobago and witness the opening of the brand new Home of Football, which is the realisation of a project initiated under the TTFA leadership and jointly achieved with FIFA,” Infantino said.

“During my last visit in the country two and a half years ago all this did not exist, and I can only be thankful to the TTFA and to the government of Trinidad and Tobago for their work and support in making it possible. This state of the art Home of Football is a model for the region and a legacy for TTFA and for the youth in the country that is here to stay.”

The visit also included discussions with TTFA President David John-Williams and his team about the state of football on the islands and the strategic focus of the federation. President Infantino praised the TTFA leadership for making good use of FIFA’s Forward Programme to support development efforts locally. Besides the Home of Football, the TTFA has been investing in a new professional league and has benefited from dedicated travel funding for national teams, a cost which is particularly heavy for some islands of the Caribbean, FIFA.com stated.

De­liv­er­ing the fea­ture ad­dress in front a large crowd, Row­ley, sig­nalling that the time had come for the sport to be­come self-suf­fi­cient, said, “In our schools, we have boys and girls who are re­ly­ing on the man­age­ment of this sport and not on the Gov­ern­ment.

“The Gov­ern­ment has played its part and will con­tin­ue to play its part, but what is miss­ing is the man­age­ment we used to have when peo­ple served for ser­vice sake and pro­duced from it the tal­ent that was wait­ing for that help­ing hand.”

The Prime Min­is­ter, who, along with FI­FA pres­i­dent Gi­an­ni In­fan­ti­no and CON­CA­CAF pres­i­dent Vic­tor Mon­tagliani, was in­vit­ed to of­fi­cial­ly open the fa­cil­i­ty, added, “To­day ladies and gen­tle­men, if we are fa­mil­iar with fail­ure, it is in the area of the man­age­ment of our sport. We fea­tured promi­nent­ly in many sports at the high­est in­ter­na­tion­al lev­els, led by vol­un­teers with far less re­sources than we have now.

“My friend Hase­ly Craw­ford is here, he won an Olympic Gold medal and we had no sta­di­um and no track, but he won it. To­day, we have these fa­cil­i­ties and we now have ab­solute­ly no ex­cuse if we be­have our­selves and ac­cept from the tax­pay­ers the hun­dreds of mil­lions of dol­lars and the land we have made avail­able to those of you who man­age foot­ball.”

He added, “So hav­ing part­nered with you, hav­ing part­nered with foot­ball to make this pub­lic as­set land avail­able to you, and mon­ey avail­able to those in­volved in the man­age­ment of the game, the tax­pay­ers can ex­pect no less but a dra­mat­ic im­prove­ment, and a full use of the fa­cil­i­ty in the vi­sion in which it was pre­sent­ed and the way it was de­signed.”

The fa­cil­i­ty is ex­pect­ed to be a rev­enue-gen­er­at­ing as­set for the TTFA that will ease the sport’s de­pen­den­cy on gov­ern­ment and cor­po­rate T&T fund­ing.

FI­FA boss In­fan­ti­no, who al­so had a hand in con­vinc­ing Row­ley to hand over the land for the con­struc­tion of the fa­cil­i­ty a few years ago, called on Gov­ern­ment to name the Ato Boldon Sta­di­um the new Ato Boldon Na­tion­al Sta­di­um of T&T. Look­ing at Row­ley, he al­so jok­ing­ly said that if the TTFA is giv­en the sta­di­um to run, the Gov­ern­ment can still run the Com­mon­wealth Games in 2021.

He thanked Row­ley, Mon­tagliani, John-Williams and all those who con­tributed to the Home of Foot­ball be­com­ing a re­al­i­ty, not­ing that when he was cam­paign­ing to be­come FI­FA pres­i­dent, he came to T&T not ex­pect­ing to find some­one who had the heart beat­ing for foot­ball in T&T.

“I was not be­liev­ing to find some­one like this in T&T, I have to say the truth be­cause T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion was more or less in the same state as FI­FA. David was say­ing in sham­bles, and I said sham­bles was maybe a com­pli­ment.”

Al­so ad­dress­ing the gath­er­ing, John-Williams said when they as­sumed of­fice it con­firmed to them that the or­gan­i­sa­tion re­quired re­struc­tur­ing and need­ed to be put on a sound fi­nan­cial path. He said while some may ex­pect him to beat his chest for the con­struc­tion of the fa­cil­i­ty he would do no such thing, as it was just one spoke in the strate­gic wheel that was quick­ly ac­cel­er­at­ing to put T&T foot­ball on a sus­tain­able path.

Af­ter­wards, Row­ley, In­fan­ti­no, Mon­tagliani and a large crowd of dig­ni­taries that in­clud­ed for­mer French in­ter­na­tion­al Youri Djorka­eff were tak­en on a tour of the fa­cil­i­ty.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on November 19, 2019, 01:19:34 PM
Another bill Home of Football will be paying ? We so lucky to have it as a revenue generator .

Hart gets TT$5 million for wrongful dismissal, DJW fails to defend sacking T&T coach
Lasana Liburd Tuesday 19 November 2019 Global Football, Local Football, Volley

https://wired868.com/2019/11/19/hart-gets-tt5-million-for-wrongful-dismissal-djw-fails-to-defend-sacking-tt-coach/?fbclid=IwAR1trI3qmoLKmtb1VlwA927TBjPNtFAepGBpJ0IEp4x8p5jYK6cJAWpL9Ns
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on November 19, 2019, 01:57:18 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on November 19, 2019, 02:11:38 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on November 19, 2019, 02:23:35 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
I thought we can't qualify for Gold Cup again? Aren't we out of the Gold Cup contention with that Honduras loss?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 19, 2019, 02:26:40 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Amen. Think about it gop. Ah man building a team, gives an assistant coach an opportunity to grow professionally, bringing players from T&T to Canada, providing a player with an opportunity to transition into coaching, working on a project that provides a different stimulation than NT football, all ah dis in a place where he is respected and has roots ... with no daily bacchanal. What's the upside for him to make an about turn?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on November 19, 2019, 02:31:23 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Good point. The question is how much he getting paid by Halifax? I dont think it's more than what the TTFA pays the head coach.

@Soccerman, we have one glimmer of hope left. June 2020 will be a home and away leg. It will be either against the runner ups in league B or the winners of league C.. as I said, I feel we catching one of our big rivals. Guatemala or Guyana.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on November 19, 2019, 02:36:36 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Amen. Think about it gop. Ah man building a team, gives an assistant coach an opportunity to grow professionally, bringing players from T&T to Canada, providing a player with an opportunity to transition into coaching, working on a project that provides a different stimulation than NT football, all ah dis in a place where he is respected and has roots ... with no daily bacchanal. What's the upside for him to make an about turn?

Wishful thinking, yes. . But not totally impossible. If the money right, and DJW and his cohorts are out, then it wouldnt hurt to ask him.

Do you have anyone else in mind asylum? Considering we on we back heels, we might as well try.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on November 19, 2019, 02:50:34 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Good point. The question is how much he getting paid by Halifax? I dont think it's more than what the TTFA pays the head coach.

@Soccerman, we have one glimmer of hope left. June 2020 will be a home and away leg. It will be either against the runner ups in league B or the winners of league C.. as I said, I feel we catching one of our big rivals. Guatemala or Guyana.
So you're telling me there's a chance??? I was really distraught after the loss and thought that was it, now I feel a little better. Here's to prosperity going forward :beermug:
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on November 19, 2019, 03:14:12 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Good point. The question is how much he getting paid by Halifax? I dont think it's more than what the TTFA pays the head coach.

@Soccerman, we have one glimmer of hope left. June 2020 will be a home and away leg. It will be either against the runner ups in league B or the winners of league C.. as I said, I feel we catching one of our big rivals. Guatemala or Guyana.

If I read correctly the lawsuit says he was paid only USD$25,000 a year, with performance pay, as NT manager. Pretty sure Halifax can beat that.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 19, 2019, 03:20:40 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

Amen. Think about it gop. Ah man building a team, gives an assistant coach an opportunity to grow professionally, bringing players from T&T to Canada, providing a player with an opportunity to transition into coaching, working on a project that provides a different stimulation than NT football, all ah dis in a place where he is respected and has roots ... with no daily bacchanal. What's the upside for him to make an about turn?

Wishful thinking, yes. . But not totally impossible. If the money right, and DJW and his cohorts are out, then it wouldnt hurt to ask him.

Do you have anyone else in mind asylum? Considering we on we back heels, we might as well try.

My view: I think this discussion is premature.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 19, 2019, 03:30:37 PM
If I read correctly the lawsuit says he was paid only USD$25,000 a year, with performance pay, as NT manager. Pretty sure Halifax can beat that.

That is an incorrect reading.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on November 21, 2019, 03:17:47 AM
If I read correctly the lawsuit says he was paid only USD$25,000 a year, with performance pay, as NT manager. Pretty sure Halifax can beat that.

That is an incorrect reading.

Misread it as an annual amount rather than a monthly!
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on November 23, 2019, 04:25:57 AM
So what type of training facilities and equipment the the home of football will be having. here is video of Flamengo do Rio(my co-favorite with Manu) preparing for the Libertadores final. The final is today in Peru against River Plate, another team I really like. I want Fla to win. But River has current experience.  So when a club or TTFA have something half as decent as thid, then I known WE really serious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpFO3U3L37E
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on November 23, 2019, 04:50:34 AM
So what type of training facilities and equipment the the home of football will be having. here is video of Flamengo do Rio(my co-favorite with Manu) preparing for the Libertadores final. The final is today in Peru against River Plate, another team I really like. I want Fla to win. But River has current experience.  So when a club or TTFA have something half as decent as thid, then I known WE really serious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpFO3U3L37E
I feel yuh should get a more pertinent indicator. Besides the fact that those ppl (non-deragtory ) put their money where they football is.. our ppl still and may always put mouth for ours. I won’t say everbody doh.

From Wiki
“ Flamengo is the most popular club in Brazil, with over 30 million supporters as of 2018.[2] As of 2017, it is also Brazil's richest football club with an annual revenue of R$648.0 million (€163.04 million)[3] and a valuation of over R$1.69 billion (€425.21 million).[4]”
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 23, 2019, 01:46:35 PM
How FIFA's website presents the HoF inauguration  (https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago#inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago-x2825).
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on November 23, 2019, 10:33:47 PM
How FIFA's website presents the HoF inauguration  (https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago#inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago-x2825).
It have wifi yet? Given elections tomorrow.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on November 23, 2019, 10:49:03 PM
How FIFA's website presents the HoF inauguration  (https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago#inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago-x2825).
It have wifi yet? Given elections tomorrow.
wheres the weight room, changing rooms, saunas, therapy room, spa, swimming pool, is this only a hotel with an outdoor kitchen and a place to keep fetes? I heard people saying how impressed there were with this facility, but all i’m seeing so far is a hotel and a few patchy fields with some old looking goal post that has been standing there since the 1990s when latapy was a teenager, is this some kind of joke?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 24, 2019, 01:27:28 AM
How FIFA's website presents the HoF inauguration  (https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago#inauguration-of-home-of-football-in-trinidad-and-tobago-x2825).
It have wifi yet? Given elections tomorrow.
wheres the weight room, changing rooms, saunas, therapy room, spa, swimming pool, is this only a hotel with an outdoor kitchen and a place to keep fetes? I heard people saying how impressed there were with this facility, but all i’m seeing so far is a hotel and a few patchy fields with some old looking goal post that has been standing there since the 1990s when latapy was a teenager, is this some kind of joke?

Ah! Precisely, where are the performance improving fundamentals and tools that are not to be shared with visiting teams, clubs and other federations? If there is one commonality I've seen at these projects abroad is a keen sense of preserving their use for the privileged and exclusive benefit of national teams and are zealously treated as such. In August I specifically asked about "state of the art" in posting a response to the Val Ramsingh homily to DJW of a Letter to the Editor (on the DJW thread).

Just like Trump launched his re-election campaign immediately after he won office, DJW started laying the groundwork on the timeline for his re-election months ago but he hasn't built a facility that will serve performance into the future. He has built a facility targeted to convenience of training. Huge difference.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on November 24, 2019, 12:35:16 PM
What's the latest? Any inside info?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$ on November 25, 2019, 10:28:32 AM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

You have something personal with Carenage ah wha?  Daiz de beginning and end of all that ails the NT?!
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on November 25, 2019, 01:51:54 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

You have something personal with Carenage ah wha?  Daiz de beginning and end of all that ails the NT?!
yes i do, so what of it?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: palos on November 25, 2019, 02:09:17 PM
Hopefully the Home of Football doh end up ike Pan Trinbago headquarters
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$ on November 25, 2019, 02:56:24 PM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

You have something personal with Carenage ah wha?  Daiz de beginning and end of all that ails the NT?!
yes i do, so what of it?
Get a life and stop totin. Carenage produce best brand ballers doh be mad.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on November 26, 2019, 02:26:55 AM
I posted last month that DL will not leave on his own as he wont be paid out. However, if he is fired for the poor results, he can still mount an argument to leave with something in his pocket. DL has tainted his resume with the string of poor performances. I doubt that he will be given a head coach position again by any club or national team.. unless Anguilla or a team of that elk comes calling.

My guess is that if Wallace wins the election, Hart will be back. Time is limited. So we need someone who knows the team, the culture and the processes, and can get the team prepared for the Gold cup qualifier. The learning curve will be too high for someone who does not possess that knowledge. I have a premonition that we will be facing Guatemala or Guyana for that Gold cup spot. Hart got it right and figured out Guatemala for us. I got faith that he can do it all over again.
i don’t think hart will come back. he has a good gig in canada he’s getting paid on time he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals, come back for what, to deal with the carenage crew and the cash strapped federation and all their misgivings? I seriously doubt it.

You have something personal with Carenage ah wha?  Daiz de beginning and end of all that ails the NT?!
yes i do, so what of it?
Get a life and stop totin. Carenage produce best brand ballers doh be mad.
i thought so........who cares
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on November 27, 2019, 12:57:57 AM
Wallace: Home of Football not yet fit for operation.
By Gyasi Merrique (Guardian).


New­ly-elect­ed Trinidad and To­ba­go Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion pres­i­dent William Wal­lace says his ex­ec­u­tive de­cid­ed to keep the Home of Foot­ball tem­porar­i­ly closed be­cause it is not yet fit for op­er­a­tion.

“There are two things. There is no Fire Ser­vice ap­provals and of course if it’s a place for the pub­lic you need li­a­bil­i­ty in­sur­ance, which you get when the build­ing is com­plet­ed. The build­ing is not com­plet­ed, there are still things to be done,” Wal­lace told Guardian Me­dia yes­ter­day in jus­ti­fy­ing the tem­po­rary clo­sure of the fa­cil­i­ty be­cause is not yet com­plete.

This rev­e­la­tion comes just eight days af­ter for­mer pres­i­dent David John-Williams host­ed an event to de­clare the 72-room ho­tel and oth­er aux­il­iary fa­cil­i­ties at the Bal­main, Cou­va lo­ca­tion open.

The tour of the Home of Foot­ball was at­tend­ed by Prime Min­is­ter Dr Kei­th Row­ley, FI­FA pres­i­dent Gi­an­ni In­fan­ti­no, CON­CA­CAF pres­i­dent Vic­tor Mon­tagliani, Sports and Youth Af­fairs Min­is­ter Shamafa Cud­joe and sev­er­al oth­er high pro­file guests.

“It’s a tem­po­rary clo­sure and we want to open it as soon as pos­si­ble. On Thurs­day (to­mor­row), I would do a walk through with the con­trac­tor to see what are the things out­stand­ing to be done and dis­cuss this whole is­sue of com­ple­tion and cer­ti­fi­ca­tion from fire and so on. In the mean­time, you are deal­ing with li­a­bil­i­ty and if peo­ple are there and some­thing should hap­pen then we would have ques­tions to an­swer.”

Clos­ing the Home of Foot­ball was just one of sev­er­al crit­i­cal de­ci­sions tak­en by the new TTFA ex­ec­u­tive on Mon­day, a day af­ter Wal­lace and his slate of vice-pres­i­den­tial can­di­dates, Clynt Tay­lor (1st vice pres­i­dent), Su­san Joseph-War­rick (2nd vice pres­i­dent) and Sam Phillip (3rd vice pres­i­dent), suc­cess­ful­ly oust­ed then in­cum­bent David John-Williams and his “Team Im­pactors” slate.

The ex­ec­u­tive al­so an­nounced a de­ci­sion to “stop trans­ac­tions on all TTFA bank ac­counts, in­clud­ing on­line trans­ac­tions.” But Wal­lace yes­ter­day told Guardian Me­dia Sports that there are in fact mea­sures in place to main­tain nor­mal op­er­a­tions of the as­so­ci­a­tion while an of­fi­cial change-over is be­ing com­plet­ed.

“What we are do­ing is wait­ing for our sig­na­to­ries and things to change. The pa­per­work for that has al­ready start­ed and we would make the nec­es­sary ad­just­ment in terms of staff pay­ments and so on for those things to hap­pen. We have some tem­po­rary arrange­ments in place for us to func­tion and op­er­ate,” Wal­lace clar­i­fied.

RELATED NEWS

Home of Football shut down, transactions halted.
By Narissa Fraser (Newsday).


ONE week after the opening of the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva, newly-elected TT Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace says the facility is being shut down until further notice.

Wallace dethroned David John-Williams as president at the association’s elections on Sunday. Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Sam Phillip were voted first, second and third vice-presidents, respectively.

Speaking with Newsday on Tuesday morning, the TTFA boss said the decision was made on Monday during approximately eight hours of meetings with his vice-presidents. He said there are pending approvals and no property insurance for the million-dollar facility.

“We found out some of the approvals are not in place. For example, fire approvals. You can’t have people in a building without fire approval.”

According to the official website of the Ministry of Rural Development, applications for over ten lots of land must receive approval from the chief designs engineer of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), the TT Electricity Commission (TTEC) and the chief fire officer.

While this is the main issue with the facility his administration has found thus far, Wallace said, “That was enough for us to say people can’t occupy the building. Information is still coming in on the Home and other things.”

In a press release issued by TTFA’s communications department, decisions made on Monday included the creation of an advisory committee and assigning roles to the vice-presidents. Taylor will focus on membership affairs, Joseph-Warrick will tackle women’s football and Phillip will handle security.

Other decisions included: Stopping transactions on all TTFA bank accounts (including online transactions), initiating a financial audit, issuing a public invitation to TTFA creditors to present their claim, and introducing new security measures for the protection of TTFA property.

He said his team will meet again on Wednesday for further discussions.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on December 02, 2019, 10:54:03 AM
(https://cdn-pro.elsalvador.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Villa-Selecta_12.jpg)

(http://cdnwine.diario1.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Presidente-de-FIFA-Gianni-Infantino-visita-federación-de-futbol-salvadoreño9-960x546.jpg)

Allyuh too quiet, so quiz time.

Some have toured the HoF and others have seen images of it. Some like pullstones have commented about the paint shorn goals and there have been reports of player complaints from those who camped there.

First question: Have you seen anything inside the HoF walls that compares to these images (of another HoF project)?

(https://cdn-pro.elsalvador.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Villa-Selecta_08.jpg)

Second question: Which one do you think was more expensive to build?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on December 02, 2019, 11:43:03 AM
Ahh paya!!

Based on the colour scheme and wall outlets I would guess one of our Central American rivals.

Who knows what went on with contract bids?
Our indebted esteemed ex-presi seemed to be very irresponsible in his fiduciary duties. But what else is new?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on December 02, 2019, 12:19:56 PM
Based on the colour scheme and wall outlets I would guess one of our Central American rivals.

El Salvador's Villa Selecta.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on December 02, 2019, 12:22:22 PM
Second question: Which one do you think was more expensive to build?

Well the cost of Villa Selecta has been quoted as being USD $2,325,000, of which 90% of the funding came from the FIFA Forward Programme. But then it only has half the number of rooms as the HoF.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on December 02, 2019, 02:17:16 PM
(https://cdn-pro.elsalvador.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Villa-Selecta_05-300x200.jpg)

(https://www.diez.hn/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=7b$Vdpvvar8KzmOe6GrFCM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYtKYm4iuinxYdG52PYbb6HN6FB40xiOfUoExWL3M40tfzssyZqpeG_J0TFo7ZhRaDiHC9oxmioMlYVJD0A$3RbIiibgT65kY_CSDiCiUzvHvODrHApbd6ry6YGl5GGOZrs-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)


(https://www.diez.hn/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=wB5IeNWMo_I3KJwPEgp9AM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYu0nsuLkM$bA0kC2YyO2Abc6FB40xiOfUoExWL3M40tfzssyZqpeG_J0TFo7ZhRaDiHC9oxmioMlYVJD0A$3RbIiibgT65kY_CSDiCiUzvHvODrHApbd6ry6YGl5GGOZrs-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)

Second question: Which one do you think was more expensive to build?

Well the cost of Villa Selecta has been quoted as being USD $2,325,000, of which 90% of the funding came from the FIFA Forward Programme. But then it only has half the number of rooms as the HoF.

With the remaining 10% self-financed and an associated furnishing cost of roughly $165,000 (US) - also to be borne in mind is that El Salvador is a dollarized economy.

Edit: There was also a $200,000 cost re: the synthetic turf field.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on December 02, 2019, 02:38:48 PM
Quote
A US$2.5 million (TT$16.85 million) grant was given to the TT Football Association to build TT football’s new “home.”

President of the TTFA David John-Williams, revealed the price tag of the facility yesterday in a conversation with Newsday during a tour of the “Home of Football" ...

During the tour he explained the complex was built using ICF technology, which utilises blocks of Styrofoam filled with concrete to make a cheap, easy-to-use, lightweight and durable building block. He said the blocks would insulate the facility from heat from the outside, making rooms “exceptionally cool.” The largest rooms in the hotel are about 24 feet long by 25 feet wide, Newsday was told.

...


The Home of Football project, he said, was the first fully funded FIFA Forward project— the organisation’s initiative to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development.

https://newsday.co.tt/2018/11/08/us2-5m-for-home-of-football/

Who within the TTFA hierarchy was consulted as to the design/utility, vision, focus and emphasis of the project?

Clearly we have two different approaches exemplified here. Exclusive focus on the NTs or other considerations beyond the teams. Villa Selecta is described as a 4-star hotel specifically catered to all of El Salvador's NTs. There are 28 doubles and 8 triples.

Not sure the figure (TTFA) indicated is definitive because I've also read $2.75m regarding the HoF - which also requires additional monies to be sourced to make it a whole project as conceptualized by the preceding president.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on December 02, 2019, 03:43:56 PM
The toilet appears too low for me.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on December 22, 2019, 12:53:29 PM
The house that David built.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


DAVID John-Williams’ tenure as president of the TT Football Association (TTFA) came to an end on November 24, when he was defeated by 26 votes to 20, by William Wallace, in the executive elections at the Home of Football, Balmain, Couva.

It is ironic that John-Williams’ reign as head of the local governing body ended at the building which he opened, with great fanfare, on November 18 – with the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani as the main dignitaries.

A day after the elections, the TTFA announced in a media release that the much-heralded 72-room Home of Football had been closed, since it was uninsured and uncertified by the Fire Service.

With the Home of Football of no use for the time being, one wonders about John-Williams’ legacy during his time as TTFA president, after he replaced Raymond Tim Kee on November 29, 2015.

Less than a year into his tenure, the 57-year-old John-Williams made it clear he was looking for higher heights as he decided to contest the post of president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). However, he was beaten 18-12 (with one abstention) by the incumbent Gordon Derrick of Antigua/Barbuda.

John-Williams began his time as TTFA president with three deputies (vice-presidents) – Ewing Davis, Allan Warner and Joanne Salazar.

Warner resigned in mid-2016, after perceived differences with John-Williams, and Salazar made her exit in September 2018 for “personal reasons.”

The Salazar issue was made worse when general secretary Justin Latapy-George claimed he was ordered to keep her departure a secret. Latapy-George’s contract with the TTFA was not renewed, and he made way for Camara David in March 2019.

John-Williams, the owner of local football club W Connection, was regularly criticised by board member Keith Look Loy over his style of leadership, decision-making and combative personality, and Look Loy had to resort to taking legal action to get documents pertaining to the construction of the Home of Football.

A week before the TTFA elections, the local governing body was ordered to pay ex-national men’s team coach Stephen Hart $5 million for wrongful dismissal, unpaid salaries and bonuses, by a judge in the Port of Spain High Court.

Hart was fired on November 29, 2016, after TT struggled in the initial stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Final Round Qualifiers.

Weeks before the ruling, John-Williams insisted in a media interview that Hart was not sacked, but there was a mutual parting of ways.

Hart, the former Canada coach, was replaced by Belgian Tom Saintfiet, who was publicly told by John-Williams that he could suffer the same fate if TT failed to advance to the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup.

TT were unable to progress to the Gold Cup. Saintfiet left before he was pushed, and ex-national defender Dennis Lawrence came on board in January 2017. At the time of writing, Lawrence is still the TT coach, despite a record of only six victories from 36 matches.

The TTFA shifted its office from the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo to the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, but there were rumours during the past year about late payments, and even non-payment of salaries to staff.

John-Williams boasted during last month’s election campaign that he reduced the debt he inherited as TTFA boss from $30 million to $18 million, but that was countered by his replacement, Wallace who on Wednesday issued a media release which mentioned its current debts which stand at a minimum of $50 million.

John-Williams insisted that proposed T League (a merger of the Pro League and Super League), was doomed to fail since, according to him, both parties could not come to an agreement in time.

However, in November, the TTFA organised a League of Champions tournament, featuring ten teams, including a national youth team, that only played one round of matches before it was put on hold by the Wallace administration.

The public became disenchanted with events off and on the field, and their displeasure was evident at the Ato Boldon Stadium on November 10 when barely 500 fans showed up to see TT’s record 15-0 win over Anguilla – a result which described by John-Williams as “phenomenal.”

The game was originally scheduled for November 11 but was shifted due to FIFA regulations.

Ironically, there were no consultation with the Pro League nor the Super League, as there were matches, simultaneously,in the First Citizens Cup and the Terminix Super League.

Title: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: coache on February 07, 2020, 11:29:54 PM
The Home of Football is useless and teams have to use grounds in various parts of Trinidad. It is quite disheartening and disappointing to hear this. It is also disturbing to hear that players from Tobago can’t make it to practice in Trinidad because of lack of accommodations.
I felt the democratic process is allowing football to advance in Trinidad. By this I mean that we all benefit or suffer from or by whatever was done by the last President.

I hope that the Home of Football is being utilized in the smart way that it was intended by the previous President. Mr Williams did a great thing for Football in Trinidad by creating this facility so that it could help Football become fiscally and financially responsible for itself.
In the world of business and Football (Football is a business) it makes sense to make fiscal sacrifices in the short term so as to reap the benefits in the long term. How bad can the facility be when the facility was utilized and put to a test just before the election.
The Home of Football belongs to Football I don’t understand how it’s all of a sudden useless.
I am not a supporter of anybody, be it Look Jack, John Williams or whoever in charge, my main concern is Trinidad and Tobago Football.. which means I support the players, The Coaches and the programs. We should all be happy and glad that the players can stay and train on site.. this nonsense talk about no insurance.. so Look Jack is saying when a player gets injured on St Mary’s ground the Catholic Church have Insurance for the player to compensate for getting damage?
 
What is this nonsense? I must be an idiot.
Mr Look Jack  get to work and get  some insurance, put down some sod , and get some clean linen and put on the beds .. ask the parents to volunteer as chaperones  and use the facility that is there for the players and the Coaches.. Stop this useless stress you are bringing to the players and Coaches by making them drive away from their home to  go to Serpentine Road and wherever else to train. Who is in charge is it Look Jack or whatsoever  the new President name is .. he is useless  as far as I see.
Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: Deeks on February 08, 2020, 02:42:03 PM
You do know that the home of football hotel has a number of housing violations according to the fire services.
Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: maxg on February 08, 2020, 03:41:47 PM
You do know that the home of football hotel has a number of housing violations according to the fire services.
Forgive Mr Coache Jack, Deeks. He might of just got back internet access.   ;D
Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: coache on February 08, 2020, 10:53:33 PM
So the Home of Football has Fire violations ..hmm how many houses or buildings in Trinidad and Tobago have fire alarms ..I don't think the average person in Trinidad have any idea what a fire alarm looks like.

I just got internet back yes..and after all that  time I see no change in the stupid meter .

Please let's not  change the subject to Fire. This is about Football.

If you or whoever else want to talk about Fire take that up with Fire services.
Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: asylumseeker on February 09, 2020, 12:31:20 AM
A fire violation is a safety protocol issue. A fire alarm is the not the same thing as a fire violation, although the absence of an alarm could constitute a fire violation. So too the absence of properly located, accessible  and operable fire extinguishers. Or regulatory compliant emergency exits and gathering points, I guess your position would be that Pro League and SSFL matches don't need ambulances at the stadia in real time.

From your question regarding houses I  think you may be confusing smoke detectors with fire alarms. Since only football whistles - and no alarm bells - are going off in your head, despite the obvious concern and liability to which the TTFA would be exposed in the event of a problem ignited by ignoring the incendiary concerns. (Yes, more fire, puns intended.)

If the average person is as ignorant  as you suggest s/he is of what an alarm looks like, then it's a good thing we need only be concerned  that they HEAR one rather than see one.

Yeah,  we get it: time to kick into gear and use the facilities, but you should consider that no properly functioning and credible insurance provider would sign off on a property policy for a facility that doesn't meet, or hasn't met, fire compliance rules.

Run that through de chupid meter ...

... while yuh pour cold water on your "hot" idea. 

Like yuh really want to send de TTFA into de red while they trying to get into de black.

If this issue remains on the burner and we are a few months down the road without resolution,  then your burning question would be proper  heat in de place. Right now it should just smoulder not blaze.

Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: Tiresais on February 09, 2020, 01:45:57 AM
Coache you want to pack at least 20 people, which would likely be children at times, into a building that the Fire Department can't confirm is safe? You running textile mills in Bangladesh too?
Title: Re: The Home of Football is Useless
Post by: Deeks on February 09, 2020, 02:24:07 PM
Last year or year before, Flamengo do Rio academy caught fire and burned down. A number of the young players died. This is a big international club from Brazil. Let us for once do the right thing when it comes to our children.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on March 06, 2020, 07:54:53 PM
Min­is­ter ready to meet with TTFA.
T&T Guardian Reports.


Asked about the pub­lic an­nounce­ment that the T&T Foot­ball As­so­ci­a­tion (TTFA) un­der cur­rent pres­i­dent William Wal­lace will be seek­ing a meet­ing with her as Min­is­ter of Sports, Cud­joe said: “Foot­ball has re­quest­ed a meet­ing and we at MSYA and SPoRTT have no prob­lem meet­ing with foot­ball.

"In terms of fund­ing for foot­ball, like any oth­er NGB, qual­i­fi­ca­tion for re­gion­al and in­ter­na­tion­al events or games at the high­est lev­el, we sup­port. Foot­ball has a re­spon­si­bil­i­ty to run its busi­ness prop­er­ly. I know that much of the debt and much of the sit­u­a­tion would have been in­her­it­ed from, not just the last ad­min­is­tra­tion but the pre­vi­ous ad­min­is­tra­tion. We are talk­ing about years and years of trou­ble in foot­ball. Foot­ball has to or­gan­ise it­self and es­pe­cial­ly reach out to FI­FA al­so in the man­age­ment of its busi­ness."

How­ev­er, Cud­joe ex­pressed her dis­plea­sure over the TTFA clos­ing of the "Home of Foot­ball" in Bal­main, Cou­va, fol­low­ing its in­au­gu­ra­tion in De­cem­ber.

"An­oth­er sit­u­a­tion that foot­ball has on its hands right now is the ‘Home of Foot­ball’ that was cre­at­ed to be an in­come gen­er­a­tor," she said.

"Is the cur­rent ex­ec­u­tive of foot­ball look­ing at open­ing the ‘Home of Foot­ball’ so that all the sport­ing en­ti­ties that would have made ap­pli­ca­tions and reser­va­tions and arrange­ments to utilise the ‘Home of Foot­ball’ and put mon­ey in the hands of TTFA? What is the TTFA do­ing as it re­lates to that?

"I think these are the kind of ques­tions that they need to look in­to. I think it is quite un­for­tu­nate that here we have made this ma­jor in­vest­ment as Gov­ern­ment to pro­vide the land, FI­FA would have made the in­vest­ment to build the fa­cil­i­ty and now there seems to be some type of dis­crep­an­cy as it re­lates to open­ing and util­is­ing the fa­cil­i­ty and bring­ing in some in­come in or­der to foot their bills as a foot­ball as­so­ci­a­tion."

She added, "As I say all of the time, all these as­so­ci­a­tions and NG­Bs are in­de­pen­dent, they are au­tonomous, Gov­ern­ment can on­ly fa­cil­i­tate to­wards the de­vel­op­ment of our ath­letes, to­wards our sport­ing dis­ci­plines but they do have the re­spon­si­bil­i­ty to run their busi­ness pro­fes­sion­al­ly and to do so well and not just call on Gov­ern­ment when fund­ing is need­ed or when they find them­selves in a bind.

"But let us not jump the gun, let us hear what they bring. But of course, I will ask what is hap­pen­ing with the open­ing and util­is­ing of the ‘Home of Foot­ball.”

https://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/minister-cudjoe-cycling-needs-to-check-itself-6.2.1070661.0701bd4076
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: lefty on March 07, 2020, 09:36:47 AM
given the issues expressed re: safety certification I find the minister's tone to concerning at best
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on March 07, 2020, 12:10:21 PM
given the issues expressed re: safety certification I find the minister's tone to concerning at best

I am confused by what she said. If the home was fully certified,
I doubt TTFA would try to pull a fast one for political expediency. So she should tell us if she feels it ready for occupation. I mean passing all the required certifications.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on March 30, 2020, 11:19:48 AM
‘Fifa has been compromised [in Home of Football scandal]!’ Spicy letter that predates Fifa take-over.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


“A cursory glance of the paper trail suggests that there was a lack of proper oversight [on the Home of Football],” stated Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan, in a letter to Fifa chief member association, Veron Mosengo-Omba on 22 January 2020.

“The president of the TTFA [David John-Williams] appears to have been the project manager, the contractor as well as the purchaser…”

The aforementioned excerpt forms part of an exchange between Ramdhan and Mosengo-Omba. It was issued in response to a letter from the Fifa official, while Fifa stalled on paying its annual subvention of US$1.2 million (TT$8 million) to the TTFA for operations.

It also predated the world governing body’s decision to send a joint fact-finding mission of Concacaf and Fifa officials to the island in February.

On Tuesday, Fifa, supposedly on the advice of the team that visited Trinidad last month, announced it would send a normalisation committee to the twin island republic and effectively nullified last November’s election and booted the Board—including president William Wallace—out of office.

Mosengo-Omba, a DR Congo national, personally informed controversial TTFA finance manager Tyril Patrick that Fifa had just put him in charge of local football.

“As was mentioned in the decision [by the Fifa Council], you will assume immediate interim responsibility, in collaboration with Fifa,” he told Patrick, “for all TTFA matters until the normalisation committee members are appointed.

“Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this respect and looking forward to meeting you soon.”

Two months before Fifa sent the TTFA into meltdown, Mosengo-Omba, who had direct oversight of the Home of Football project—partly funded by Fifa—wrote Ramdhan to enquire about the William Wallace-led administration’s plans to deal with its significant debts.

“In light of the significant amount of outstanding debts the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has had in the past with third party suppliers,” Mosengo-Omba told Ramdhan, on 13 January, “the FIFA administration would like to follow up on the current status of those debts. It is important to highlight that assets financed by the FIFA Forward Programme cannot be, under any circumstances, mortgaged.

“The FIFA Member Associations Division is fully committed and available to support your member association in every necessary aspect in order to achieve positive outcome.”

In the build-up to last November’s local football election, Mosengo-Omba allegedly told three board members—according to one member of that trio, who spoke on condition of anonymity—that Fifa would not support the TTFA if then president David John-Williams was voted out of office.

Another board member and technical committee chairman Keith Look Loy, who was an influential figure in Wallace’s successful campaign, also complained that the Congolese repeatedly ignored pleas to investigate alleged financial mismanagement of the project.

And, in Ramdhan’s response to the Fifa official, he made his feelings clear that the world governing body—and Mosengo-Omba in particular—lacked the moral authority to lecture the TTFA on the matter of debts or the fate of the Home of Football.

“The HOF project which is at the centre of this conversation was intended to bring an end to our financial woes, which had plagued the TTFA for over a decade,” stated Ramdhan. “It is now ironic that, in 2020, it has become the source of our financial distress.

“[…] I knew you were a central figure during the construction phase of this project. I can also appreciate that the responsibility entrusted upon you in facilitating the process may have fallen outside the core area of competency required for such a project.

“It is now incumbent upon Fifa, given this experience, to review the processes employed in their Forward Project programs in order to avoid reoccurrence of this nature which can compromise Fifa. I am of the view that Fifa has indeed been compromised in this scenario.”

Having identified the high-ranking Fifa official as ‘a central figure’ operating ‘outside [his] core area of competency’ in what could prove to be a financial scandal, Ramdhan went further by suggesting that the TTFA intended to not only investigate the Home of Football but also make their findings public.

“Based on what we have discovered during the recent visit of the [Fifa] development manager (DM) and the assistant development manager (ADM) in the presence of the TTFA financial manager,” stated Ramdhan, “the manner in which the project was being managed should have raised red flags.

“Given the revelations, it is curious and even suspicious that the project continued uninterrupted. This has attracted speculation from several quarters of the society which has the potential of further damaging our already tainted image both locally and abroad.

“[…] The current administration is in the process of engaging a quantity surveyor with a view to achieving two objectives. The first objective is to produce a professional report and make public the findings, so as to avoid speculation of vindictiveness on the part of the current administration.

“The second objective, which is of paramount importance, is to address all the issues with a view to resolving them and operationalise the building.”

A day later, on 23 January, Ramdhan wrote Mosengo-Omba again; and, this time, he addressed the initial query of the Fifa official.

“Consequent to my previous letter of 22 January, I wish to further advise that Fifa Forward funding will not be used to satisfy any third party debts,” stated the TTFA general secretary. “It is our stated objective to use funds intended for development in those specific areas. We intend to avoid the pitfalls of the past where moneys were used contrary to purpose.

“The current administration has a plan to deal with the debts inherited and we intend to meet and discuss this with our creditors… We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with a foreign company for a project in Trinidad that would factor in a debt of TT$50 million incorporated in the overall cost of the project to satisfy the debt.

“[…] I do hope that this information will serve to address any concerns which Fifa may have and bring some level of comfort as I can discern some unease about our debt situation.

“Rest assured we are up to the task of rebuilding our administration and restoring our image and look forward to cooperating with Fifa to achieve our collective objectives.”

Mosengo-Omba did not respond to either email.

Ramdhan said he was justified in the statements made to the Fifa official, since he was only replying to Mosengo-Omba’s letter and also fulfilling Wallace’s campaign promise of transparent governance.

“We had to [investigate the Home of Football and make our findings public] because we campaigned on being open and transparent,” said Ramdhan, who was a part of Wallace’s United TTFA slate, “especially as I wrote to Fifa before [in 2019] and they never took me on. And what we discovered was frightening to say the least…”

By then, Wallace’s administration had been in office for roughly two months and not received any of the Fifa subvention that was due. A cursory check, according to Ramdhan, revealed that other associations had already been wired money from the global body’s Zurich headquarters.

After a couple of enquiring phone calls, Ramdhan said he was put on to Stacey Daniel, who is a manager in the Fifa Finance Department.

“She told me we would get it [by the end of January] but we didn’t,” Ramdhan told Wired688. “So I asked who was above her that could explain what was going on. And that was when I was put back on to Veron.”

It took three days for Wallace to get Mosengo-Omba on the phone and, then, his response was supposedly that Fifa would send a team to Trinidad to investigate its finances; and they would ask Concacaf to fund the TTFA until that was completed.

Ramdhan was frustrated.

“Fifa should have investigated what I sent to them [about John-Williams and the Home of Football],” he said, “not our administration.”

The TTFA is due US$150,000 (TT$1 million) annually from Concacaf for football development. Based on money from Concacaf, the local football body was able to send the Women’s National Under-20 Team on a two week pre-tournament tour in the Dominican Republic.

The team, coached by Richard Hood, went on to finish as quarterfinalists at the Women’s Concacaf Under-20 Championship.

In February, Fifa finance coordinator Mehmet Dirlik, Concacaf finance manager Alejandro Kesende, Concacaf finance department Dally Fuentes and Valeria Yepes, an independent auditor visited Trinidad to speak with local officials, including Wallace, Ramdhan and TTFA finance committee chairman Kendall Tull.

If the new TTFA administration had any information regarding spending at the Home of Football that Mosengo-Omba might have missed, the joint-Fifa and Concacaf team would surely have been apprised of it.

Wallace, Ramdhan and Tull felt the meetings went well and the foreign contingent allegedly vowed that Fifa would turn on its financial tap shortly. But that never happened.

In the interim, Wallace held a press conference on 4 March, in which he pointed to the financial mismanagement of the association by John-Williams, aided by his finance manager, Patrick—who was still a TTFA employee.

Tull, according to a source, advised against the press conference and, in particular, the revelations concerning over TT$4 million due for PAYE, BIR and health surcharge payments.

Again, Ramdhan said Wallace’s decision to speak up was in keeping with their mantra of ‘transparency’.

On 7 March, the TTFA board met and passed a motion to investigate the perceived financial mismanagement of the John-Williams-led administration. The probe would have included spending on the Home of Football project, which was supervised by Mosengo-Omba.

The first order of business was to be the suspension of Patrick, who, members felt, could not operate as finance manager while being investigated.

Wallace was asked to get a legal letter to that effect, which would be issued to Patrick. However, the president stalled as he wanted to get a replacement for his finance officer first. And, even then, Wallace felt Patrick should be given time to ‘hand over responsibilities’ to his successor.

Ten days after that meeting, with Patrick still in place and no replacement identified, Fifa took the atomic option of firing the entire TTFA board under article 8.2 of its statutes, which states:

‘Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time.’

Fifa, in a missive on its website, stated that its decision: ‘follows the recent FIFA/Concacaf fact-finding mission to Trinidad and Tobago to assess, together with an independent auditor, the financial situation of TTFA [which] found that extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt, have resulted in the TTFA facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity. Such a situation is putting at risk the organisation and development of football in the country and corrective measures need to be applied urgently.’

Ramdhan believed that Fifa was always going to be hostile to the current TTFA administration, whether he crossed swords with Mosengo-Omba or not.

“I think they were always looking to do this,” he said. “And even when I wrote those letters, they didn’t even have the courtesy to reply to me or the TTFA. So I don’t think those letters played a part in this.”

Mosengo-Omba might be having the last laugh now. However, the TTFA has announced its intention to appeal Fifa’s decision, through attorneys Dr Emir Crowne and Matthew Gayle of New City Chambers.

If the allegations made in Ramdhan’s letter to Mosengo-Omba bare any truth, the TTFA’s promised investigation could have had dire implications for Fifa’s image under current president Gianni Infantino.

Ironically, if there is financial misconduct at the Home of Football—Look Loy suggested last year that TT$16 million unaccounted for from the project—then there is only one man with as much to lose as as John-Williams and Mosengo-Omba.

And that is Patrick, the person who Fifa has now put in charge of the TTFA.

(Letter from Fifa to TTFA on 13 January 2020)

Dear General Secretary,

In light of the significant amount of outstanding debts the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has had in the past with third party suppliers, the FIFA administration would like to follow up on the current status of those debts.

It is important to highlight that assets financed by the FIFA Forward Programme cannot be, under any circumstances, mortgaged.

The FIFA Member Associations Division is fully committed and available to support your Member Association in every necessary aspect in order to achieve positive outcome.

Yours sincerely

Veron Mosengo-Omba,

Chief Member Associations Officer

(Letter for TTFA to Fifa on 22 January 2020)

Dear Mr Mosengo-Omba,

I thank you for your email of Monday 13 January. Your advice regarding the Home of Football (HOF) is duly noted. The new administration is fully aware of all the implications involved as we pursue the solutions to the problems we inherited. The significant debt you mentioned pose serious challenges for the TTFA and your offer to assist gives us hope.

During the visit of the Development Manager (DM) last week, as we perused the financial records of the TTFA, we discovered that funds intended for other areas were diverted to the HOF project resulting in the failure of the TTFA to meet its day to day financial obligations. Chief amongst them was the inability to pay the salaries of staff for the Christmas.

Presently, the outstanding balance owed in relation to the HOF to date is approximately TT$2 million. The amount of confirmed debt is TT$33,782,826.31, other payables are TT$15,211,861.50. Attached for your information and yet to be determined [is] TT$25 million, which represents two batters which are before the courts re: Jack Warner and Sheldon Phillips. These figures can change dramatically based on the current trend.

The HOF project which is at the centre of this conversation was intended to bring an end to our financial woes, which had plagued the TTFA for over a decade. It is now ironic that, in 2020, it has become the source of our financial distress.

A project which was opened with a lot of fanfare is now faced with issues which required additional funding to resolve. These issues vary from design and construction to safety and lack of the requisite approvals from agencies. This situation denies the TTFA the opportunity to benefit from such a significant investment.

I knew you were a central figure during the construction phase of this project. I can also appreciate that the responsibility entrusted upon you in facilitating the process may have fallen outside the core area of competency required for such a project.

It is now incumbent upon Fifa, given this experience, to review the processes employed in their Forward Project programs in order to avoid reoccurrence of this nature which can compromise Fifa. I am of the view that Fifa has indeed been compromised in this scenario.

Having said that, based on what we have discovered during the recent visit of the Development Manager (DM) and the Assistant Development Manager (ADM) in the presence of the TTFA Financial Manager, the manner in which the project was being managed should have raised red flags.

Given the revelations, it is curious and even suspicious that the project continued uninterrupted. This has attracted speculation from several quarters of the society which has the potential of further damaging our already tainted image both locally and abroad.

A cursory glance of the paper trail suggests that there was a lack of proper oversight. The president of the TTFA appears to have been the project manager, the contractor as well as the purchaser.

The current administration is in the process of engaging a quantity surveyor with a view to achieving two objectives. The first objective is to produce a professional report and make public the findings so as to avoid speculation of vindictiveness on the part of the current administration.

The second objective, which is of paramount importance, is to address all the issues with a view to resolving them and operationalise the building.

As we peruse the financial records of the TTFA, our preliminary findings suggest a lack of financial prudence on the part of the last administration. As a consequence, we have taken a decision to engage a forensic auditor to determine if any financial impropriety occurred as we are not prepared to carry that burden forward as we seek to reshape the association.

Yours sincerely,

Ramesh Ramdhan,

TTFA general secretary

(Letter from TTFA to Fifa on 23 January 2020)

Consequent to my previous letter of 22 January, I wish to further advise that Fifa Forward funding will not be used to satisfy any third party debts. It is our stated objective to use funds intended for development in those specific areas. We intend to avoid the pitfalls of the past where moneys were used contrary to purpose.

The current administration has a plan to deal with the debts inherited and we intend to meet and discuss this with our creditors. It is our intention to acknowledge the debts and, if necessary, give letters of comfort to avoid the courts of Trinidad and Tobago.

We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with a foreign company for a project in Trinidad that would factor in a debt of TT$50 million incorporated in the overall cost of the project to satisfy the debt. Officials of the said company will be visiting Trinidad in a couple weeks to discuss the public private partnership with the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

I do hope that this information will serve to address any concerns which Fifa may have and bring some level of comfort as I can discern some unease about our debt situation.

Rest assured we are up to the task of rebuilding our administration and restoring our image and look forward to cooperating with Fifa to achieve our collective objectives.

Yours sincerely,

Ramesh Ramdhan,

TTFA general secretary

Editor’s Note: Wired868 asked Fifa official Veron Mosengo-Omba a series of questions related to the announced normalisation committee and the Home of Football, including whether he noticed any financial irregularities in the project, why he had not recused himself from issues involving the TTFA due to a potential conflict of interest, and why Fifa decided to put TTFA’s finance manager in charge despite basing its decision to intervene on the football body’s supposedly catastrophic financial set-up.

He had not responded up to the time of publication.


Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: soccerman on March 31, 2020, 10:46:54 PM
Based on the information the TTFA can present a strong case. I hope this can draw some attention globally so FIFA can be exposed even if they decide to suspend us.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on April 01, 2020, 05:27:31 AM
I think we are already suspended and that’s what we are appealing.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on April 02, 2020, 05:02:46 AM
I think we are already suspended and that’s what we are appealing.
no we’re not. the ttfa is suspended but with the normalization scheme it’s love under new management.
Title: TTFA refused business at Home of Football
Post by: Tallman on April 02, 2020, 06:52:13 AM
TTFA refused business at Home of Football
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)


It will take a grand effort by football’s world governing body, FIFA, for the now controversial Home Of Football in Balmain, Couva, to achieve the purpose it was built for, vice president of the Couva, Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Metro Hotel in Couva, Mukesh Ramsingh told Guardian Media Sports on Wednesday.

The popular central businessman listed a number of factors why the facility could not operate at a profit, pointing out that the concerns ranged from design flaws, poor location, no kitchen or laundry areas to facilitate large numbers, no concessionaires and general flaws to its structure, among many others. He said FIFA, itself would have to invest heavily or send teams to the facility in numbers, if sports tourism is to take place at the facility.

“In fact there was a time when my hotel was really booked up and I called the T&T Football Association (TTFA) office under David John-Williams for work but I was told that the facility was not ready, and this was after the official opening of the facility,” Ramsingh said.

The multi-million-dollar facility is equipped with 72 rooms, luxury dinning and media areas, an entertainment centre, a futsal, beach soccer and outdoor fields but despite approvals given by the FIFA on more than at least two occasions, the new William Wallace-led administration closed the facility soon after assuming office, saying there are pending approvals and no property insurance.

There are claims that there's no safety measures in the case of a fire, no reliable water supply as water has to be taken from the Sport Company of T&T situated just beside it.

Ramsingh said as Chamber vice president he got the opportunity to visit the Home of Football under John-Williams and Wallace, and he supports the latter for the decision to close the facility, noting that while he believes that the FIFA’s aim is to avoid having another Centre of Excellence, it would require the injection of lots and lots of funds by FIFA to keep the facility afloat, or the sport’s governing world body have to take the lead position in getting teams to come to T&T to use the facility.

“Had Wallace or even John-Williams taken the chance to use the facility, it would have cost the TTFA a lot of money, and thereby doing the opposite of what it was constructed for. There are huge overheads to be covered first before you can think of making a profit. For my hotel alone it costs $100,000 in overheads and at the Home of Football, it is significantly higher,” Ramsingh said.

He predicted that to bring the Home of Football up to readiness, it would take a further $1.5 million. Ramsingh said: “It’s more of a dormitory-like facility. There is nothing for hoteliers to expect when they exit the facility, no vendors or entertainment as it is in the middle of nowhere.”

Ramsingh’s views on the Home of Football come a day after president of the Central Football Association (CFA) Shymdeo Gosine said the decision by the Wallace-led football administration to close down the facility was one of many key decisions that would have influenced the FIFA to appoint a Normalisation Committee to conduct the affairs of T&T football.

But Ramsingh believes the facility was not ready after its glamorous opening in November and is still not ready to conduct any business at this point in time.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on April 02, 2020, 09:01:58 AM
Well if Mr. Ramsingh is correct in his assessment, why don't FiFa look into that, and let the public know of its finding. Oh no! I real chupid. FiFa investigate itself?  Fellas, I goin in the corner with a dunce cap on meh head for suggesting such a fifa undertaking.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: socalion on April 02, 2020, 10:00:51 AM
With  each passing day it is clear Fifa had no interest investigating David John Williams ,  It's simple as that. I have no doubt there will be revelations coming to light eventually . There are more to come .
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on April 02, 2020, 10:47:29 AM

“Had Wallace or even John-Williams taken the chance to use the facility, it would have cost the TTFA a lot of money, and thereby doing the opposite of what it was constructed for. There are huge overheads to be covered first before you can think of making a profit. For my hotel alone it costs $100,000 in overheads and at the Home of Football, it is significantly higher,” Ramsingh said.



---------------------

Common sense

each body overseer the hotel. And all associations share the expenses, cause left to football alone, we’ll we know how that goes.. el

maxg, while you making sense, I see this hotel as DJW plaything. Another center of "excellence" scenario.
Many people like expensive playthings, very few can manage them to a profit or well. Can he keep the hotel operationally successful, can he put ppl in the rooms at their expense and not ours ? As i said swimming is going to cover 1 month. Having a nice hotel to hold our National football camps is great, but how is it going to make money to cover those National camps. This is not a Ma & PA bb we talking about, it's a thing that will require year round staffing and operations. 80% of Operations and occupancy may have nothing to do with football . Staff can't be hired by month or event...the only way this will be viable for our National programs, is if the Hotel can operate at a profit, regardless of how nice it look or wonderful location to stadia.

ps: MzTing graduating in Tourism and Hotel Management, but given how ppl does get pay, i not recommending her at all. ;)                           
Title: Government eyes TTFA hotel as COVID step-down facility
Post by: Tallman on April 16, 2020, 07:24:00 AM
Government eyes TTFA hotel as COVID step-down facility
By Keith Clement and Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


The controversial Home of Football, which was deemed unusable by former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association president William Wallace back in November, is now one of the venues Government is considering for use as a step-down facility in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) following a visit yesterday.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young led a party of officials from the Ministries of Health, National Security, Fire Services and FIFA Normalisation Committee chairman Robert Hadad on a tour of the facility.

Guardian Media confirmed this with Hadad late yesterday and he revealed it was an option being considered for a while.

“They (Government) have been speaking to us and I suggest you speak with either Minister Young or Deyalsingh for an update. They have to decide what they want to do,” Hadad said during a telephone conversation without revealing anything further.

However, sources told Guardian Media the touring team spent a considerable amount of time at the facility.

“We are not sure what is going to happen at this point, but I know they are trying to get the necessary approvals,” a source familiar with the tour explained.

The source added that there were other venues being considered for step-down facilities by the Ministry of Health. Before the TTFA facility can be given the green light to house recovering COVID patients, it will have to meet the necessary requirements, the source added.

Last November, then newly-elected TTFA president Wallace had said the multi-million dollar facility was not fit for operations.

Wallace told Guardian Media then, “There are two things. There are no Fire Service approvals and of course if it’s a place for the public you need liability insurance, which you get when the building is completed. The building is not completed, there are still things to be done.”

On November 18 last year, the TTFA held a gala opening ceremony for the hotel which was attended by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and FIFA president Gianni Infantino and other dignitaries. However, two days after being elected as president of the TTFA, Wallace closed down the facility saying it was uninsured and not certified by the Fire Service.

The Home of Football is a 72-room hotel which cost the TTFA an estimated TT$16.85 million and sits on a 17.5-acre parcel of land leased to the association by the Government. However, the issues surrounding the closure of the facility were said to be at the heart of FIFA removing Wallace and his three vice presidents, Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Joseph Sam Phillip, from office on March 17 and replacing them with the Hadeed-led Normalisation Committee. Wallace and his team are now challenging FIFA’s decision at the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Rowley toured the National Racquet Centre, which houses the country’s national tennis facility, along with Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh and Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram and declared it a step-down facility in the Government’s fight against the novel coronavirus. The Tacarigua facility will have a 50-bed capacity. There is also a step-down facility at Brooklyn Settlement, Sangre Grande.
Title: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 17, 2020, 01:15:11 AM
Just like I’ve been saying all along, the government is complicit.

They have decided to sidestep Wallace and negotiate with Hadad. An illegal move and also shows that the TT government is siding with FIFAs decision.

Which brings us back to the government also being a part of the undermining of TT football, also meaning that they quietly supported the dictator and didn’t support this current admin...

It also shows that they are not in the business to improve our football, using the facility for covid patients is not the issue, but their approach has revealed their true nature and intentions.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 17, 2020, 02:35:46 AM
So wait. All the things wrong with the place and all that is lacking. You can place the weakest and most susceptible to death at this moment in the place. On top of the ppl to care for them . Not only the government can’t be serious to even consider this. As announced, We just lost our case against FiFa.
Nah, can’t be true, haven’t seen this. Hope is not published.

Add: Well that’s it. Now, somebody - most likely the government if actual use of that establishment- gon get sue on top of everything and Case blown up.

Was the executive lying about the dangers of the place?
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Deeks on April 17, 2020, 05:14:26 AM
This is real f**kery. Sorry Flex, go ahead and edit it.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 17, 2020, 08:18:48 AM
I done, wish y’all all the best


https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/17/home-of-football-excellent-for-covid19-battle/

Home of Football ‘excellent’ for covid19 battle
Jelani Becknles (Newsday).

THE Prime Minister confirmed that the Home of Football in Couva will be used to battle the covid19 virus, saying that the sporting facility is “as good as any accommodation that you could get in TT.”

Dr Rowley confirmed this at a post-Cabinet media briefing, on Thursday. The news follows a tour to the Home of Football by Ministry of Health officials and Ministry of National Security officials, on Wednesday.

“That building you know came into being as a public-private arrangement between the Government and FIFA,” Rowley said.

“It has been offered to the Government and the Government has accepted the offer.”

Rowley said the facility is a quality one. “It has been evaluated and found to be excellent and my advice is that it can accommodate up to about 72 persons of a category that will be designated by the Chief Medical Officer (Dr Roshan Parasram) and the Minister (of Health Dr Terrence Deyalsingh). This is as good as any accommodation that you could get anywhere in TT, so if that kind of accommodation is not found to be suitable then you know that we have exhausted the limit to which we can go as a country.” Within a week the Home of Football should be used as a step-down facility.

Rowley said the private sector, at no cost, will also assist in making the stay for patients more comfortable. “I am happy that people are chipping in in this way.”

The Home of Football was only opened in November 2019 under then TT Football Association president David John-Williams. The facility was later closed because it lacked proper fire safety measures and liability insurance.

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Robert Hadad, who is now in charge of running TT football, said all measures are being put in place.

“Everything rectified. We are following the advice of Fire Services and we are solving all the problems. The liability insurance is in place also.” Hadad was glad that the facility will be used to battle the virus.

The Home of Football is the second sporting facility in days to be announced as a facility to help battle covid19.

Last Saturday, it was revealed that the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, which is under the purview of the Sports Company of TT (SporTT), will be used as a step-down facility that will be equipped with 50 beds.

In an interview with Newsday, chairman of SporTT Douglas Camacho said it is their duty to support the covid19 battle. “We are actually very supportive of anything that the country is doing to help fight this pandemic.”

Newsday, however, received complaints from a resident in Tacarigua about the National Racquet Centre being used.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The residents of 4th Street Extension, Dinsley, Tacarigua are very concerned as many of us live directly behind the Racquet Centre only separated by a wire fence and some trees. “We as residents would like to know what the criteria was in choosing this centre when there are many unoccupied similar buildings in more isolated locations around the country.”

Title: Home of Football ‘excellent’ for covid19 battle
Post by: Tallman on April 17, 2020, 09:45:47 AM
Home of Football ‘excellent’ for covid19 battle
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


THE Prime Minister confirmed that the Home of Football in Couva will be used to battle the covid19 virus, saying that the sporting facility is “as good as any accommodation that you could get in TT.”

Dr Rowley confirmed this at a post-Cabinet media briefing, on Thursday. The news follows a tour to the Home of Football by Ministry of Health officials and Ministry of National Security officials, on Wednesday.

“That building you know came into being as a public-private arrangement between the Government and FIFA,” Rowley said.

“It has been offered to the Government and the Government has accepted the offer.”

Rowley said the facility is a quality one. “It has been evaluated and found to be excellent and my advice is that it can accommodate up to about 72 persons of a category that will be designated by the Chief Medical Officer (Dr Roshan Parasram) and the Minister (of Health Dr Terrence Deyalsingh). This is as good as any accommodation that you could get anywhere in TT, so if that kind of accommodation is not found to be suitable then you know that we have exhausted the limit to which we can go as a country.” Within a week the Home of Football should be used as a step-down facility.

Rowley said the private sector, at no cost, will also assist in making the stay for patients more comfortable. “I am happy that people are chipping in in this way.”

The Home of Football was only opened in November 2019 under then TT Football Association president David John-Williams. The facility was later closed because it lacked proper fire safety measures and liability insurance.

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Robert Hadad, who is now in charge of running TT football, said all measures are being put in place.

“Everything rectified. We are following the advice of Fire Services and we are solving all the problems. The liability insurance is in place also.” Hadad was glad that the facility will be used to battle the virus.

The Home of Football is the second sporting facility in days to be announced as a facility to help battle covid19.

Last Saturday, it was revealed that the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, which is under the purview of the Sports Company of TT (SporTT), will be used as a step-down facility that will be equipped with 50 beds.

In an interview with Newsday, chairman of SporTT Douglas Camacho said it is their duty to support the covid19 battle. “We are actually very supportive of anything that the country is doing to help fight this pandemic.”

Newsday, however, received complaints from a resident in Tacarigua about the National Racquet Centre being used.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The residents of 4th Street Extension, Dinsley, Tacarigua are very concerned as many of us live directly behind the Racquet Centre only separated by a wire fence and some trees. “We as residents would like to know what the criteria was in choosing this centre when there are many unoccupied similar buildings in more isolated locations around the country.”
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 18, 2020, 06:15:43 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.


Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 18, 2020, 06:40:26 AM
So wait. All the things wrong with the place and all that is lacking. You can place the weakest and most susceptible to death at this moment in the place. On top of the ppl to care for them . Not only the government can’t be serious to even consider this. As announced, We just lost our case against FiFa.
Nah, can’t be true, haven’t seen this. Hope is not published.

Add: Well that’s it. Now, somebody - most likely the government if actual use of that establishment- gon get sue on top of everything and Case blown up.

Was the executive lying about the dangers of the place?
FYI fifa offered the government the use of the facility mate, probably hadad took the initiative and offered and they accepted. on the news it states that the government plans to bring the place up to code and insuring it before occupying the hotel, so relax with the suppositions.

Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Thomo on April 18, 2020, 07:29:53 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 18, 2020, 10:26:55 AM
So wait. All the things wrong with the place and all that is lacking. You can place the weakest and most susceptible to death at this moment in the place. On top of the ppl to care for them . Not only the government can’t be serious to even consider this. As announced, We just lost our case against FiFa.
Nah, can’t be true, haven’t seen this. Hope is not published.

Add: Well that’s it. Now, somebody - most likely the government if actual use of that establishment- gon get sue on top of everything and Case blown up.

Was the executive lying about the dangers of the place?
FYI fifa offered the government the use of the facility mate, probably hadad took the initiative and offered and they accepted. on the news it states that the government plans to bring the place up to code and insuring it before occupying the hotel, so relax with the suppositions.


Thanks. Didn't realize more facilities were required, and the government was willing or had the funds to invest in more than those existing. Given that we at present have 114 known and closely monitored cases and given the fact of such reports as this link. I guess it always best to be prepared for a sudden increase of a couple hundred.
add: nb: The TT government has been quite stringent in their response and results and recovered cases reflect such.

Meanwhile in Mtl (Hardest hit Cdn city). Many various foreigners (travellers) in addition to early spring break.
Provincial government has been just as stringent.
4Million pop., aprox.  7760 cases (.0018% positive)
                 Number of hospitalizations in province (8.9 Million pop.)
Number of regular hospitalizations: 869
Number in intensive care: 207
Total number of hospitalizations: 1 076

Deaths :391


I estimate, a TT would need a floating figure of ~145 beds given a similar trajectory. Yet given the nature of our culture and this unknown entity, one can never be careful. But what do I know, i'm not a doctor, nor a Epidemiologists.

It should be noted
What did we learn (see the table for the analysis)

That between 5% and 80% of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 may be asymptomatic
That symptom-based screening will miss cases, perhaps a lot of them
That some  asymptomatic cases  will  become  symptomatic over the next week (sometimes known as “pre-symptomatics”)
That children and young adults can be asymptomatic


https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/18/pointe-a-pierre-hospital-ready-for-covid19-patients/

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/18/mayor-pt-fortin-hospital-preparing/

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/18/no-new-covid19-cases-reported-overnight/

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/17/home-of-football-excellent-for-covid19-battle/

From link 1
The Augustus Long Hospital and Hostel located in Pointe-a-Pierre has been refurbished to accommodate 60 patients in the fight against covid19.

.............
The operations of the facility was handed over to the Ministry of Health, which also had oversight in the refurbishment to ensure that it met clinical standards.

Principal Medical Officer at the Health Ministry Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards said, “The refurbishment of this hospital and hostel will serve as an additional health facility in our national parallel health care system for the covid19 response.”
............
Other facilities that are being used to treat covid19 patients are the Caura hospital and the Couva Medical and Multi-Training Facility.

The Government announced that the newly-constructed Arima General Hospital would also be used to treat covid19 patients. It has been equipped with 150 beds, of which ten have been designated for the intensive care and high dependency units.



From link 2

“In case it is needed, it will be available,” the Point Fortin mayor told Newsday by phone. It comprises three storeys on 16 acres of land at the corner of Techier and the Main Road. This 100-bed hospital has 175,000 square feet. Recently Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced that the hospital was one of the facilities identified to provide more strength as the need arises


From Link 4
Last Saturday, it was revealed that the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, which is under the purview of the Sports Company of TT (SporTT), will be used as a step-down facility that will be equipped with 50 beds.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 18, 2020, 11:25:09 AM
So all of the above to ask
Why do they even consider the HoF, and how/with whom will they staff it, and what equipment would be required ?
 I think that offer may have been an attempt to  deflate the argument of the Executive by showing the place is functionally sound. It's might sound like a conspiracy theory, but given the political backstabbing and crookedness demonstrated throughout all aspects of this saga, at all levels of administration, it's not the last conclusions to be drawn. The government had to investigate the offer, but shouldn't they have first and immediately investigate where their/our portion of money went, when Wallace and company said, the place was unusable due to local infractions ? Wasn't Shamfa toured during the build to see the progress, didn't no one tour after and confirm it clearance ?
Questions, questions. Don't know anything for sure.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: asylumseeker on April 18, 2020, 11:32:33 AM
pull stones, you don't strike me as a man who believes everything he reads or hears; why start now? There is orchestration and choreography at play here in the background.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Deeks on April 18, 2020, 05:31:04 PM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.




Pull, how are you blaming WW as being a light weight in this matter. When he found that the site was lacking fire code and liability, he should have approach the government for money to upgrade ? For everyone to say that in this time of crisis TTFA going to government for hand out ? Why should the govt bail out TTFA again. The only thing I blame WW for is that he did not have the financial backings he claimed to have had. I wrote a number of times that if you do not have money or benefactors with a large amount of money, you should not run for TTFA. This organization is a gas guzzling pre-70s vehichle.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 19, 2020, 01:29:30 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.




Pull, how are you blaming WW as being a light weight in this matter. When he found that the site was lacking fire code and liability, he should have approach the government for money to upgrade ? For everyone to say that in this time of crisis TTFA going to government for hand out ? Why should the govt bail out TTFA again. The only thing I blame WW for is that he did not have the financial backings he claimed to have had. I wrote a number of times that if you do not have money or benefactors with a large amount of money, you should not run for TTFA. This organization is a gas guzzling pre-70s vehichle.
slowdown mate. first of all I happen to like William Wallace ,Raymond timkee and Keith look loy very much, in fact when they won it felt like a big sack of rotten potatoes were lifted off my back and i was free for the first time in years, not just because we were finally going to see the last of DJW and it foolish antics, but all the other administrations from Ollie camps to the present, we were finally free of all those parasites.

William Wallace took over and his first move was to close the hotel.....ok....mad move....because this hotel was build as an income generator, and for the whole of the carnival season they didn’t make a penny from it, and wasted a grand opportunity because he didn’t see it as an urgency to have this place up and running to capitalize on the venue as well as the hotel. now he's taking up a collection to fight fifa, what kind of hand to mouth shite is that??

after they won and realize that the HOF needed insurance and fire inspection they should have jumped on it so by January the place could have been opened for business, but no they dragged their feet when they could have approached the ministry of sports for help in bringing the facility up to code, even in january shamfa codjoe was asking why wasn’t the HOF opened for business? now they are asking for money at the worst possible time ever in our history when half of the world is at home sitting on their hands.

Deeks if you want to run a football association you should at least have some contacts and money people willing to back your move, because in this game you can’t be a maxi taxi conductor and want to wine and dine a super model, it just doesn’t work that way. with such ambitions you would at least need a capitalist in your corner willing to back your ideas to the limit and then some.

in the realm of football you need big name investors and contacts to be successful and these men are behaving like nickel and dime hustlers on the corner, that’s why I refer to them as lightweights.

sure I support the challenge to FIFA’s misgivings by all means, but don’t you think a “go fund me” page is quite ridiculous......not to mention laughable when coming up against the most powerful organization in the world? you would at least need enough money to pay your lawyers, or at least someone to secure you a loan of some sort, but these men don’t have any visible of means support, morally or financially, all they have is ideas. I wish them luck with that.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 19, 2020, 01:57:56 AM
pull stones, you don't strike me as a man who believes everything he reads or hears; why start now? There is orchestration and choreography at play here in the background.
not by anyone in the government I’m sure. did you watch the grand opening of the HOF, if you didn’t then i suggest that you do. the prime minister’s body language said it all, in fact I thought he was being rather discourteous especially to mr montagliani and infantino himself. in his speech the PM was talking about how the fat boss approached him for the land to build the hotel, and how he refused him on a few occasions until he finally relented. 

then he started with FIFA and infantino stating he didn’t want anything to do with any of them because FIFA was a mafia organization and infantino was an Italian, i almost puked in disgust as to dr rowley’s crass behavior and stood in disbelief as to how rude and abrupt the PM was to that man, it was not a good look.

now i know that mad contro in his warp imagination would take it to mean that the PM’s antics would’ve been a decoy to hide his true intent, but by golly that would have been quite unnecessary since no one cared about this dumb hotel in the middle of nowhere, in fact I’m sure most trinis were not even aware such a place actually existed, nor would anyone in the whole wide world care enough to have an opinion on it.

as for who what where and why this place was offered, does it really matter to the government? they were given a valuable life line and they grabbed it. it’s only those who have an axe to grind actually cares how and why. as for those of us who find it distasteful of fifa to offer this place of refuge to the government need not bother themselves. if the footballs take holders in trinidad had any pride at all we would have stayed clear of fifa’s fundings and build our own HOF with our own tax dollars, because we saw how they fifa literally yanked the center of excellence out of jack Warner’s paws to the point where you seldom hear of this place anymore, it’s almost like it never existed in the first place.

so no I don’t think there’s any I’ll intent on the governments part, and as it stands the government is extremely desperate for places to house the victims of this virus, and could hardly refuse such an offer. as previously mentioned, if anything it’s fifa who has the ulterior motives and not the government because i don’t rightly see anything apart from this unfortunate circumstance with the virus and this hotel, that our government would need anything from fifa who is of absolutely no use to them.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 19, 2020, 03:49:18 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.




Can’t help but notice your frustration because I’ve been right all these years, it must grind you good and proper...

It’s laughable to me to see how easy your narcissistic ego can be tarnished and how gullible you can be to fall for the media circus that covers up for the government and certain members of TT society.

You’re a naive fool to say the least, but that’s nothing surprising given you have taken the bait, hook line and sinker about WW and the HOF.

The question you forgot to ask was, why now? Why the sudden interest to dip into the treasury and save the HOF once Hadad picked up the phone?

Covid is a nice way to disguise misuse of funds, it’s as if there isn’t other places that can serve the nation in the same way.

But no, you believe everything they feed you, the major difference between me and you is, I know things you will never know and I’m not brainwashed...
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 19, 2020, 04:23:10 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!

I can’t help it that both of you are too lazy to research and have zero intuition when it comes to politics in TT... what burns both of you more than anything is me being right... after all the baseless insults and accusations, you both look like some fools and are basically easy targets of govt media manipulation

Go learn about counter intelligence then come back and talk to me
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 19, 2020, 04:39:02 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.




Can’t help but notice your frustration because I’ve been right all these years, it must grind you good and proper...

It’s laughable to me to see how easy your narcissistic ego can be tarnished and how gullible you can be to fall for the media circus that covers up for the government and certain members of TT society.

You’re a naive fool to say the least, but that’s nothing surprising given you have taken the bait, hook line and sinker about WW and the HOF.

The question you forgot to ask was, why now? Why the sudden interest to dip into the treasury and save the HOF once Hadad picked up the phone?

Covid is a nice way to disguise misuse of funds, it’s as if there isn’t other places that can serve the nation in the same way.

But no, you believe everything they feed you, the major difference between me and you is, I know things you will never know and I’m not brainwashed...
open your eyes mate, you’re a loon. for the next two years until it’s over you would be on a new horse called the government and you would ride it till it drops, just like you rode the “ dictator” till it’s shoes fell off, do you really think we could take another year of that malarkey?

all I’m saying is that you should lay off with the constant government government government, ok mate we hear you, we don’t have to agree but we hear you. it’s very annoying to wake up and read the same rubbish every time you show your face.

And for you information we don’t all have to agree with you to enjoy the forum. Ive noticed a very disturbing trend with you where if anyone does not agree with you, immediately you don the war paint and resort to the name calling and silly branding. life is free mister and if we don’t see it your way then take it for what it’s worth, and why should we allow you to beat us over the head day in day out with your ridiculous conspiracy rhetoric, how could you be so bloody thoughtless? no one here owes you anything.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 19, 2020, 04:54:51 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!

I can’t help it that both of you are too lazy to research and have zero intuition when it comes to politics in TT... what burns both of you more than anything is me being right... after all the baseless insults and accusations, you both look like some fools and are basically easy targets of govt media manipulation

Go learn about counter intelligence then come back and talk to me
i remember few years ago you was pushing a kamla bessesar campaign quite vigorously, I didn’t say anything because I was new to the forum and didn’t know much of what was taking place in trinidad, but now that I’m far more informed, what is clear to me is that you were actually telling people back then that a lady who lead a very corrupt government was basically good for us in your opinion, now you’re telling me I’m an easy target for the government?

news brief fagen, I am not into politics, but I’m a fair judge of character, and no government would align themselves with fifa unless they have aspirations of hosting a world cup, or else what good is fifa’s troubles to a sovereign nation? your accusations are preposterous.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 19, 2020, 03:19:45 PM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!

I can’t help it that both of you are too lazy to research and have zero intuition when it comes to politics in TT... what burns both of you more than anything is me being right... after all the baseless insults and accusations, you both look like some fools and are basically easy targets of govt media manipulation

Go learn about counter intelligence then come back and talk to me
i remember few years ago you was pushing a kamla bessesar campaign quite vigorously, I didn’t say anything because I was new to the forum and didn’t know much of what was taking place in trinidad, but now that I’m far more informed, what is clear to me is that you were actually telling people back then that a lady who lead a very corrupt government was basically good for us in your opinion, now you’re telling me I’m an easy target for the government?

news brief fagen, I am not into politics, but I’m a fair judge of character, and no government would align themselves with fifa unless they have aspirations of hosting a world cup, or else what good is fifa’s troubles to a sovereign nation? your accusations are preposterous.

If you’re not into politics fool, why are you debating with me about the complicity of the TT govt and fifa, this is all politics, the NC was a political play, supported by the govt

Shall I school you in political theory now?

The sports minister is rushing to the side of Hadad, why is that?

Answer the questions I stated above, if you can’t, shut your mouth, the only mental asylum patient here is you PS.. stop evading and deflecting the questions put forth and the only reason you resort to petty insults is because you don’t have the intelligence or knowledge to engage in the politics of football and how it relates to this current impasse ...

Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on April 20, 2020, 05:41:42 AM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!

I can’t help it that both of you are too lazy to research and have zero intuition when it comes to politics in TT... what burns both of you more than anything is me being right... after all the baseless insults and accusations, you both look like some fools and are basically easy targets of govt media manipulation

Go learn about counter intelligence then come back and talk to me
i remember few years ago you was pushing a kamla bessesar campaign quite vigorously, I didn’t say anything because I was new to the forum and didn’t know much of what was taking place in trinidad, but now that I’m far more informed, what is clear to me is that you were actually telling people back then that a lady who lead a very corrupt government was basically good for us in your opinion, now you’re telling me I’m an easy target for the government?

news brief fagen, I am not into politics, but I’m a fair judge of character, and no government would align themselves with fifa unless they have aspirations of hosting a world cup, or else what good is fifa’s troubles to a sovereign nation? your accusations are preposterous.

If you’re not into politics fool, why are you debating with me about the complicity of the TT govt and fifa, this is all politics, the NC was a political play, supported by the govt

Shall I school you in political theory now?

The sports minister is rushing to the side of Hadad, why is that?

Answer the questions I stated above, if you can’t, shut your mouth, the only mental asylum patient here is you PS.. stop evading and deflecting the questions put forth and the only reason you resort to petty insults is because you don’t have the intelligence or knowledge to engage in the politics of football and how it relates to this current impasse ...
go get help feller.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 20, 2020, 11:33:10 PM
f**k off contro with your nonsensical witch hunts. i really can’t stand another three years of your bullshit ridiculous conspiracy theories. right now the government is searching high and low to find places to house sickly recovering patients, and this place was offered by Hadad and not the other way around!

I listened to the news where there going to bring up the place to code before housing the sick recovering folks. as for wallace he’s acting like a light weight, All he had to do was approach the govts for help with the HOF instead of looking to do everything by his lonesome, I’m sure the cabinet would have approve help to get this HOF up and running had he approached them.

if this is what the next three years is going to look like then I have better things to do with my time than to cry over TT football.
Thank you pull stones. 100% agreement. I hate what happened to Wallace and co but to imply the government is complicit is absolutely ludicrous. Contro keeps throwing out this crap and hope it sticks. I really can't take anymore of these conspiracy theories!

I can’t help it that both of you are too lazy to research and have zero intuition when it comes to politics in TT... what burns both of you more than anything is me being right... after all the baseless insults and accusations, you both look like some fools and are basically easy targets of govt media manipulation

Go learn about counter intelligence then come back and talk to me
i remember few years ago you was pushing a kamla bessesar campaign quite vigorously, I didn’t say anything because I was new to the forum and didn’t know much of what was taking place in trinidad, but now that I’m far more informed, what is clear to me is that you were actually telling people back then that a lady who lead a very corrupt government was basically good for us in your opinion, now you’re telling me I’m an easy target for the government?

news brief fagen, I am not into politics, but I’m a fair judge of character, and no government would align themselves with fifa unless they have aspirations of hosting a world cup, or else what good is fifa’s troubles to a sovereign nation? your accusations are preposterous.

If you’re not into politics fool, why are you debating with me about the complicity of the TT govt and fifa, this is all politics, the NC was a political play, supported by the govt

Shall I school you in political theory now?

The sports minister is rushing to the side of Hadad, why is that?

Answer the questions I stated above, if you can’t, shut your mouth, the only mental asylum patient here is you PS.. stop evading and deflecting the questions put forth and the only reason you resort to petty insults is because you don’t have the intelligence or knowledge to engage in the politics of football and how it relates to this current impasse ...
go get help feller.

Stop lying... I wasn’t pushing any Kamla campaign, that’s a blatant lie, I have always remained neutral and non partisan bc that’s what I stand for ... nice try though, your lies can’t save you from your lack of knowledge in the politics of football..

All staunch pnm stooges and unc stooges always trying to deflect from their lack of intelligence by attacking anyone who speaks the truth about either party.

Answer the questions or shut up and ride out ....
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 21, 2020, 10:00:01 AM
Well, that was updated and repaired real quick. And as I said, to have meals, and extra maintenance as well as health and monitor staffing provided, whereas the Government already had places ready, staffed and logistically functional. I do not have confidence in anybody at this point. Thus since I can't get what is the truth nor inspect myself, I will now quietly and silently observe from the sidelines.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/21/23-recovering-covid19-patients-sent-to-home-of-football/
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: Controversial on April 21, 2020, 01:52:52 PM
Well, that was updated and repaired real quick. And as I said, to have meals, and extra maintenance as well as health and monitor staffing provided, whereas the Government already had places ready, staffed and logistically functional. I do not have confidence in anybody at this point. Thus since I can't get what is the truth nor inspect myself, I will now quietly and silently observe from the sidelines.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/21/23-recovering-covid19-patients-sent-to-home-of-football/

The govt was always capable brother.. they just choose not to be, they also choose the path of corruption which means no progress ...
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on April 23, 2020, 06:27:12 AM
Of the 12 step-down facilities, Deyalsingh said only six were being used, with the Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre, the Arima Hospital, the National Academy of the Performing Arts and the Debe UWI campus still unoccupied.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/22/deyalsingh-suspected-case-at-step-down-facility/

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/23/step-down-facilities-zoned-for-nurses-patients/

I don’t even know what to make of the second link , with the rest and not all step down centres.

Again, especially when there were and still is, staffed wards and hospitals available. Government obviously spending extra to keep ppl healthy. Even where unnecessarily so. Bet some of the extra spending has some known and dependable (wink) connects.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 23, 2020, 08:52:44 AM
Cudjoe: Don’t play games with me! Minister rebuts Wallace as gov’t shapes up Home of Football in one week
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


It took just one week and a small army of private sector companies, according to Robert Hadad, to get the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Home of Football ready for use.

Or rather, as the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) re-christened the facility, the ‘Home of Football-Wellness Centre’.

The controversial project, built on leased land from the state with an amalgam of Fifa and TTFA funding, was opened under former president David John-Williams before it was completed or had the requisite clearances. His successor, William Wallace, acquired some of the clearances but said it would take a significant outlay to remedy the ‘poor project management’.

Hadad, head of the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee, was thrilled to see the project completed within his first month on the job at no cost to the TTFA whatsoever.

As it turned out, the Covid-19 pandemic did have a silver lining for the local football body as the government oversaw the refurbishing of the venue with the private sector picking up the tab.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young, according to Hadad, coordinated the building effort while Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh ensured that it was fit for purpose. Hadad could not give an estimate for the works done and also referred that question to the government.

The venue, which has an 80-bed capacity, now falls under the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) and will serve as a ‘step down’ facility to accommodate asymptomatic patients, recovering from the novel coronavirus disease.

“We got all of the approvals from the government agencies and we got all the remedial work done,” Hadad told Wired868. “The [national security] minister is going to be the one to acknowledge all those companies. A lot of companies helped out and a lot of government agencies helped out, so I would not want to miss any out.

“Corporate Trinidad and Tobago was amazing! The [national security] minister spearheaded that side of things and I myself called a few people that I knew.

“Everyone wanted to play their part.”

In the first instance, the Home of Football-Wellness Centre will be used by guests who are staying free of charge and would probably prefer to be at home. But Hadad insisted that the HoF is fully ready to accept paying guests, as soon as the current crisis is over.

Current TTFA president William Wallace expressed concern last week over the fact that the government chose to liaise with Hadad for use of the property that belongs to the local football body.

At present, Fifa is refusing to acknowledge Wallace’s authority over the game in the twin island republic and has made that point clear to the government. Neither Young nor Deyalsingh responded to Wallace’s letter.

Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe distanced herself from a Sunday Express story which claimed that she had prior knowledge that Fifa was about to send a normalisation committee to Trinidad and Tobago. Instead, she said she was only informed after the fact via an email from regional Fifa development officer Marlon Glean.

Glean’s email, according to Cudjoe, was the only correspondence she received from Fifa.

Further, the Minister of Sport blamed Wallace for the fact that they have not met formally. Cudjoe said she attended a secondary schools football event at the invitation of the TTFA president last year but suggested that the football president did not reach out to her thereafter, until roughly two weeks before Fifa ‘intervened’ in its affairs.

“Wallace did not ask for a meeting with the Sport Minister,” said Cudjoe. “It is only about two weeks before [the normalisation committee] that they reached out. Before that they reached out to everyone but me. They wrote to the Minister of National Security, the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Arima.

“So okay, we are all one government. But they chose to talk around me.”

Cudjoe insisted that she was ‘neutral’ about the tussle between Fifa and the TTFA, although the latter body is formed by an act of Parliament. The constitution of the local football body stipulates that officials can only be removed by its own members using a specific process.

The sport minister pointed to a hint of irony in the TTFA’s request for government protection from Fifa.

“Two years ago, there was an issue with the Women’s National Senior Team and their manager Jinelle James asked for the ministry’s intervention,” said Cudjoe. “When John-Williams came in, he said ‘I don’t know what I’m doing here because I never requested this meeting. TTFA reports to FIFA’.

“And that has been the position and posture of TTFA ever since. So don’t play a different game with me now that you’re having trouble with FIFA.

“My position remains one of inclusion and cooperation. All stakeholders must work together to revive football in TT.”

Wired868 could not reach Wallace for comment.

RELATED NEWS

Wallace ‘concerned’ as gov’t snubs TTFA president and negotiates with Hadad over HoF.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley appears to have thrust the government in the middle of a legal dispute between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and world governing body, Fifa, after recent discussions over the use of the controversial Home of Football facility in Couva.

Rowley confirmed today that the government was offered use of the Home of Football to house Covid-19 patients. This offer was made at no cost to taxpayers

However, the government did not negotiate with elected TTFA officials but, rather, the head of a Fifa-appointed normalisation committee, Robert Hadad. In so doing, Rowley—whether inadvertently or not—snubbed the will of local football stakeholders who elected William Wallace as president last November.

The TTFA was formed by an act of Parliament in 1982 and its constitution, which was approved by Fifa, does not allow for its president to be removed by any outside party, including the governing body. Paradoxically, Fifa’s statutes allow it to dissolve the executive arm of any member association at almost a whim.

The incongruity of the two constitutions has created a stalemate at the helm of the local football body with both parties set for a date with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to resolve the impasse.

Legally, the Trinidad and Tobago government’s decision to recognise Hadad as the de facto local football head could impact negatively on Wallace’s case that he remains in charge of the TTFA. It is a point that Wallace attempted to make today to National Security Minister Stuart Young.

“I note with some concern reports in the media that the government has apparently entered into discussions with the normalisation committee led by Mr Robert Hadad,” stated Wallace, “who was purportedly appointed by Fifa, in respect of the use of the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva.

“This committee has no legal or other standing in Trinidad and Tobago. As you are aware, the TTFA was formed by an act of Parliament (Act 17 of 1982), and is to be governed by its constitution.

“The constitution of the TTFA places the responsibility for negotiating and entering into any contracts or agreements on the president of the TTFA—a post I have held since the 24th November 2019.”

Notably, neither Rowley nor his sports minister, Shamfa Cudjoe, have ever met Wallace in his current role as TTFA president. It is a snub that is not lost on the besieged local football officials, who now observe their prime minister seemingly happier to play along with the Zurich-based organisation than the locally elected one.

“We have made several attempts to meet [the sports minister] but we never got a commitment from her,” said TTFA first vice-president Clynt Taylor. “Last month, she finally said she would schedule a meeting; but then Covid happened and then Fifa. We are maintaining that we are an elected body under the act of parliament [and] the only way we can be removed is through the general meeting or general council.

“[…] Furthermore, we are still saying we have no issue with the government using the facility but we feel the legal representative is Wallace and he should have been consulted. Fifa’s proclamation does not give Hadad authority to do anything in football here at the moment.”

TTFA general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan confirmed that Hadad negotiated with Rowley over use of the Home of Football facility during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been offered to the government and the government has accepted the offer,” said Rowley, at today’s post-Cabinet meeting. “It has been evaluated and found to be excellent; and my advice is that it can accommodate up to about 72 persons… This is as good as any accommodation you can get anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago.

“[…] There are a few things to be done. I may also add that the private sector has been approached to put in some outfitting items; and the private sector has come forward and has committed to ensure that whatever is required to make it comfortable and fully utilised, it will be so.

“And I also add it has been offered to the government of Trinidad and Tobago at no cost; and the private sector additions are all at no cost. This allows us to manage this without too much of a burden to the taxpayers.”

Although Rowley pointed out that the twin island republic gets use of the facility with no rental cost, there is no question that the TTFA is also getting a great deal.

Despite an initial US$2.5 (TT$17) million cash injection from Fifa and a still unknown sum of local football money, the Home of Football remains unfinished and short of the necessary statutory clearances for use as a hotel. Wallace lamented recently that the TTFA lacks the capital to complete the venue in the near future.

It is uncertain how far the private sector’s additions will go; but the TTFA will almost certainly emerge from the pandemic with a better facility than they started with—and without having to spend a cent.

Wallace will probably not be consoled by that. Earlier this month, he saw his general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan arguably switch allegiances and begin working with Hadad.

Wallace and board member Keith Look Loy described Ramdhan’s decision as pragmatic, since he is a TTFA employee and doing otherwise would have risked invalidating his contract. But it weakens the president’s claim that he still holds the football reins in Trinidad and Tobago and hints that the general secretary was not sold on the strength of his appeal to CAS.

At present, Wallace and vice-presidents Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Sam Phillip, are on a fund raising drive to pay for the appeal before the Lausanne-based body in Switzerland. And their potential costs could possibly treble after Fifa requested three arbitrators for their matter. Wallace and his team, who are represented by attorneys Dr Emir Crowne and Matthew Gayle, had hoped they would have to pay for just one.

Fees for an arbitrator, which are split between the two litigants, can cost between 9,000 to 15,000 Swiss francs or TT$63,000 and TT$104,000. It means the the two parties could have to share costs of up to TT$313,000—after the filing fee of 1,000 Swiss francs of TT$7,000.

It is possible that the losing party could be compelled to pay the other’s costs.

For Wallace, a retired vice-principal at Carapichaima East Secondary and the president of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), the battle is a matter of principle and he urged members of the public to continue to support their case.

“My thing is we can’t forever sit back and accept injustice and bullying, because the guy is bigger than you he [should not be able to] get away with everything he does to you,” said Wallace. “We can’t just give up—just like with our crime situation here in the country. We have to fight back and people have to understand that; and I hope they see it that way.

“The feeling on the ground is that something is wrong with this move from Fifa and when there is injustice, people must stand up. This is a clear case of that.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on April 28, 2020, 07:38:16 AM
No insurance, water, sewerage, fire extinguishers: gov’t reveals extensive Home of Football shortcomings.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Home of Football was opened under former president David John-Williams and housed international athletes without a range of amenities including: public liability insurance, fire extinguishers, a proper water supply, an adequate sewerage system, washing machines and dryers and internet.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young provided an extensive list of services provided by the government and private sector, free of charge, to have the facility fit to accommodate even non-paying guests.

At present, the controversial Home of Football in Couva is hosting 22 asymptomatic Covid-19 patients—described as ‘low risk and stable’—and 14 members of staff from the Ministry of Health. The venue has an 80-bed capacity.

Although it took the government just 72 hours to get the Home of Football ready—Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley referred to works at the facility as ‘tweaks’—Young offered details at today’s press briefing.

“Corporate sponsorship came from Ansa McAl, Beacon provided the public liability insurance, I had a number of companies providing us with the fire extinguishers, Safe Tech, and some other companies and also the fire signs,” said Young. “[…] We had Flow provide the cable and the internet for each room, we had WASA on site within a matter of hours, doing all that needed to be done to get the water supply working.

“The Defence Force worked overnight to fix the sewerage system, CEPEP—Minister Kazim Hosein and his CEPEP gang—got there a matter of hours after the request, cleared the place, built fire trails. I am going to miss certain names [who also assisted].

“[Fifa-appointed Normalisation Committee chairman] Mr Robert Hadad personally donated light bulbs and other things to assist. Everybody just came together. It was a great success story. […] It was amazing how we got washing machines, dryers, electricals… everything up and running within 72 hours!”

Young’s review of the work needed at the Home of Football mirrored previous complaints about the state of the venue by TTFA president William Wallace. Wallace was criticised for his observations with several parties suggesting that he neglected the facility out of spite for his predecessor, John-Williams.

Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe also knocked Wallace for not using the Home of Football to raise income.
Wallace said he hopes that Young’s statements would finally put the issue to bed.

“I don’t even need to say I feel exonerated [because] I was making a statement of fact, that this is the state of the building,” Wallace told Wired868. “There are people who refused to believe that this was the state of the building. So I hope they are now in the know.

“[…] The amount of things [Young] had to do with the whole army and statutory bodies to put in everything from fire hydrants and a soak-away and the works—it clearly states to me that we could not operationalise the building. We were telling the truth.”

The Home of Football was built under the personal supervision of John-Williams, who allegedly acted as project manager. Yet, despite being unfinished, it appeared to have exceeded its US$2.5 million (TT$17 million) budget, provided by Fifa, and is already a target for legal action, with several contractors unpaid for services provided.

Wallace was given less than four months to sort out such inherited issues before Fifa moved to oust him from his elected post. The TTFA president confirmed that Young did not respond to his query as to why the government appeared to be siding with Fifa although the local body is formed by an act of Parliament.

“He never responded [to the letter] but Fifa responded,” said Wallace. “Most likely, [the letter] would have gone straight to the normalisation committee and then to Fifa because they responded that same evening, within a matter of hours of me sending it.

“[…] However I note today that [Young] thanked the normalisation committee and he also thanked the TTFA. So I am assuming the ‘TTFA’ he thanked was the current executive.”

At present, Fifa is insisting that Hadad, the co-CEO of HadCo group of companies, is in charge of football on the twin island republic while Wallace is standing by the TTFA constitution, which does not allow him to be removed by anyone but the members of the local body.

Fifa and the TTFA are due to meet at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland at an unspecified date in the future.

Wallace has already moved to block the normalisation committee from seizing control of the TTFA’s account at the First Citizens Bank, with the latter company noting its dissatisfaction with the leaking of internal discussion between the two parties into the public domain.

Ironically, a letter from First Citizens Bank attorney Kendell Alexander that warned of legal action against the TTFA if the bank’s reputation was tarnished by the leaks, was also published by the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

Wallace insisted that the correspondence was not leaked by the TTFA.

“It didn’t come from me,” said Wallace. “The lawyers sent the letter [to First Citizens Bank] and that was the last I know of the letter. I did not send anything to the Guardian and no other member of my executive was in possession of that letter, so they would not have sent it to the Guardian.”

The TTFA is represented legally by Dr Emir Crowne and Matthew Gayle.

Title: $2M debt weighs on Home of Football
Post by: Tallman on May 17, 2020, 08:12:24 AM
Special investigative report: $2M debt weighs on Home of Football
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


The Home of Football in Couva has incurred massive debt, $2 million TT of which is owed for goods and services used in the construction of the facility which began in early 2018.

The facility was built during the tenure of former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association(TTFA) David John Williams, who had said during a tour in November 2018, that the project had cost US$2.5 million ($17 million TT).

Two years later, with T&T's football now in unchartered waters after the establishment of a FIFA Normalisation Committee headed by Robert Hadad on March 27, some of the creditors have decided to take court action to get monies owed to them, while others have adopted a wait-and-see approach.

During a three-week investigation, Guardian Media obtained documents from several creditors and other insiders familiar with the construction of the Home of Football which showed that at least 31 companies, one state-owned entity, and 11 people are owed a total of $1,990,145.84 TT.

The newly elected TTFA President Willam Wallace and his executive were disbanded by FIFA ten days before the March 27 appointment of Hadad.

Wallace, five months before–in late November 2019–wrestled the reins of leadership from Williams and his team.

Wallace had revealed that a $50 million TT debt hung heavily on the neck of the TTFA when he assumed office.

A decision by FIFA/CONCACAF to work along with an independent auditor, to assess the financial situation of the TTFA, later led to FIFA bringing down the hammer on the Wallace-led administration.

The mission of the Normalisation Committee over the next 24 months was to manage the affairs of the football body drowning in debt and facing the risk of insolvency and illiquidity, according to FIFA.

While the contentious battles of the TTFA continue to rage on in the local and international courts, the controversial Home of Football was retrofitted as a government step-down facility for the coronavirus patients.

ALESCON'S DEBT

Guardian Media obtained a letter that Alescon Readymix Limited's Chief Operations Officer (COO) Nisaar Ali wrote to Wallace on January 20, 2020, entitled, "Outstanding payments due from the TTFA to Alescon Readymix Limited."

Ali told Wallace that attached to the letter was an invoice for the sum of $631.822.27 TT VAT Inclusive being owed by the TTFA for Readymix concrete which Alescon had delivered to assist in the construction of the facility from January 2019 to October 2019.

Ali stated in the letter, "We have made numerous attempts to contact your organization but we are yet to receive any proper response to outstanding debts.

"The TTFA was granted a thirty-day credit period as we recognize the importance of sport in our country and have always been an organization involved with the schools and community clubs in developing and encouraging sport, especially to the younger generation.

"However, from the attached statement the balance due by the TTFA has long surpassed the due date. We trust TTFA will respond urgently to provide a proposed payment plan to settle the account."

Ali, who spoke to Guardian Media more than two weeks ago, said on February 11 he met with Wallace who gave the assurance that every effort will be made to pay his company. Following that meeting, he said, they sent a letter to Wallace stating the principal amount owed to them. But, a month later, Wallace was ousted and the TTFA disbanded.

"I still hoping that we will be paid the outstanding money at some point in time," an upbeat Ali said. "We thought the building was being built in good faith and with the development of football in mind."

Ali said early payments of approximately $130,000 TT were received as the invoices were dealt with by Williams. The majority of the money for materials supplied in 2019, however, remained unpaid.

"What I can also tell you is one of our clients CPML Contractors Limited was also affected since they also did foundation work at the facility," Ali said.

CPML CONTRACTORS' DEBT

The list with the outstanding sums owed to creditors included CPML Contractors Limited. This company is still owed approximately $93,152.65 TT.

Director of CPML Bill Ramrattan said that based on the figure he had in his possession, the actual sum outstanding was $244,623.35 TT. "We were contracted to build a post-tensioned (PT) raft foundation for the players' hotel and the sum the TTFA has was from the original contract and not the final billing," he explained.

Ramrattan later sent a document to Guardian Media showing the total cost for their part of the project–$1.83 million TT, and the monies they were still owed by the TTFA. This letter, he said, was sent to Wallace on January 15, 2020.

TRINRICO STEEL'S DEBT

Trinrico Steel and Wire Products Limited, based in San Fernando, was also on the list of people and companies owed. The company, which is still being owed $153,685 TT, "decided to take the matter to court and we now leave it in our attorney's hands," said Donald Boodoosingh, the marketing manager.

Guardian Media obtained three invoices from Trinrico for outstanding payments in the month of May 2018.

CLASSIC TILES' DEBT

Another company, Cunupia-based Classic Tiles Limited is still awaiting payment of $176,857 TT, according to the TTFA documents.

"We have not been paid to date and we have not been told anything for a long time," said Sharmilla Mahase, the manager of the establishment. Ria Lalla the collections officer for the company emailed Guardian Media late Friday evening to say that the outstanding balance they had on their records was actually $230,857.45 TT.

T&Z MARKETING'S DEBT

T&Z Marketing Limited, also located in Central, and which deals with a wide range of products for home improvement and offices, are still being owed $93,351 TT.

When Guardian Media contacted the company for a comment last week, they requested we send an email. Last Wednesday they returned our call.

"We are still being owed for materials we supplied for the project (construction of Home of Football)," the company representative informed us. "That is what I have been advised to tell you from one of our seniors," she said.

OTHER COMPANIES OWED

Some of the other companies owed substantial amounts rounded to the nearest dollar included:
*Veruza Services Limited $145,917 TT
*Lighting Paradise $76,524 TT
*Coleman Supplies & Services $72,627 TT
*Diamonds General Scaffolding $54,365 TT
*Aleron Limited $47,500 TT
*Transbrokerage Services $38,077 TT
*Unicomer Trinidad Limited $20,154 TT
*Point Lisas Steel $16,682 TT
*Paramount Transport $11,746 TT

Several individuals were also being owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In one case, a man was being owed $175,335 TT, while others were being owed sums between $1,500 TT to $29,890 TT.

Meanwhile, The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) also had a pending claim of $10,565 TT that TTFA needed to settle. A question was sent to Corporate Communications Manager Annabelle Brasnell about the sum owed to T&TEC by TTFA. On May 11, Brasnell replied, "My initial comment regarding customer data does not apply in this situation, and because we do not share information with anybody who is not the account holder, we would be unable to answer the question."

WALLACE: IT'S SURPRISING $2M STILL OWED TO CREDITORS

Wallace, who spoke with Guardian Media early last week, said,

"It was surprising to me that there was still $2 million owed to creditors and that there was still so much to be done on the facility to complete it.

"After taking up office, almost on a daily basis I met with creditors and explained that we will honour the debts, and, as soon as we get going, payment plans would be discussed with them and agreed on.

"Many, if not all of them, left satisfied that there was now some form of engagement because I was told that previously they were being ignored. We have a matter before the court and I would prefer not to speak further on this matter or any other concerning the TTFA."

WILLIAMS: NO COMMENT

Former TTFA president Williams said, "I have no comment at this time. I have not spoken to the media in six months and will speak at an appropriate time."

HADAD: PEOPLE WITH CLAIMS ARE FREE TO CALL ME

Last Wednesday, Guardian Media contacted Hadad to find out if any of the creditors had reached out to him and, if so, what assurances have been given to them. For those who have not reached out, what would he want to say to them?

On Thursday Hadad spoke frankly about the issue via telephone. "I am willing to work with everybody and their claims. But you have to remember this is a process and we have to verify the accuracy and legitimacy of their claims before we can go forward," he explained.

"One has to also understand how it works; we do not have control over TTFA money and we will know more after the CAS court matter on May 20 and, perhaps, be in a better position then. But at this point, we do not have access to the money in the bank account," Hadad said.

Hadad made it clear he wanted to avoid any repeat of what transpired in February this year when former TTFA technical director Kendall Walkes sued the TTFA for $5 million. Walkes through his lawyer took out a garnishee order to freeze the accounts of the TTFA. Walker later requested a $2.5 million settlement that the TTFA is still unable to pay.

Hadad said "Even when we are financially competent we'll have to put certain systems and controls in place for people to be heard. It could well be that for some of the creditors owed larger amounts we'll have to do a payment plan. Many of these creditors have not actually reached out to me except for a lady at Tradewinds Hotel who seems to have a legitimate claim. So they can feel free to call me," Hadad indicated.

FIFA STATUE AND WHY TTFA WAS DISBANDED: Article 8.2 states: "Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time."
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on May 17, 2020, 02:26:15 PM
FIFA STATUE AND WHY TTFA WAS DISBANDED: Article 8.2 states: "Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time."


What are the exceptional circumstances ? What was so egregious ?
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on May 22, 2020, 11:48:28 AM
https://newsday.co.tt/2020/05/21/last-covid19-patient-sent-home/
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: maxg on May 23, 2020, 07:11:58 AM
Just some things to think about..

So now that all Covid cases are out. HoF is all clean, fixed and ready for normal business ?
Who and how it’s being managed ? Since at present most likely can’t be used due to Covid restrictions, who is paying for or doing normal cleaning and maintenance? What are post covid plans and who formulating those plans to manage and operate the structures?
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on May 23, 2020, 08:44:44 AM
Just some things to think about..

So now that all Covid cases are out. HoF is all clean, fixed and ready for normal business ?
Who and how it’s being managed ? Since at present most likely can’t be used due to Covid restrictions, who is paying for or doing normal cleaning and maintenance? What are post covid plans and who formulating those plans to manage and operate the structures?
ask mr hadad because it seem like WW getting cold feet and might throw in the towel soon.
Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: ABTrini on May 23, 2020, 09:58:00 AM
Where else could a bold face man rip off FIFA and a country by setting up a Centre of Excellence with alleged FIFA  funds and  have an  empire with football profits  - became a prophet in his own land 
Get the island to aWC  and today everybody quiet and sweep that u dear the mat.
Now we want to make issues over the HoF?
another monument to the leadership and legacy of TTFA?   the man an I Ted oust from power now  creating havoc behind the scenes  and we  watching the chess game  being played out?

I all for the governeming intervening  and setting up a committeee to. Take charge of this football governeming body - after alll is taxpayers money subsidizing professional teams,  who are supposedly being operated for profit and as a business ,subsidizing facilities and these sports monuments-  the government ought to  intervene and protect  national assets - least we have  another king pin inheriting a HoF as a private venture.

Just doh do like  you ent see what happened in the past with SPOTT and AR giving away government money to cronies - doh do  dat - Leah we have proper intervention measures


Title: Re: So Lasana has just reported that PM Rowley is negotiating with Hadad on HOF
Post by: pull stones on May 23, 2020, 10:54:03 AM
Where else could a bold face man rip off FIFA and a country by setting up a Centre of Excellence with alleged FIFA  funds and  have an  empire with football profits  - became a prophet in his own land 
Get the island to aWC  and today everybody quiet and sweep that u dear the mat.
Now we want to make issues over the HoF?
another monument to the leadership and legacy of TTFA?   the man an I Ted oust from power now  creating havoc behind the scenes  and we  watching the chess game  being played out?

I all for the governeming intervening  and setting up a committeee to. Take charge of this football governeming body - after alll is taxpayers money subsidizing professional teams,  who are supposedly being operated for profit and as a business ,subsidizing facilities and these sports monuments-  the government ought to  intervene and protect  national assets - least we have  another king pin inheriting a HoF as a private venture.

Just doh do like  you ent see what happened in the past with SPOTT and AR giving away government money to cronies - doh do  dat - Leah we have proper intervention measures
you want hear something bizarre? If jack warner Ollie camps or DJW was doing right by football and making sure football was well taken care of, then I would give less than a damn how much they stole or funneled into their filthy bank accounts,

but the fact that you could treat football any old way, and to add insult to injury seek your own selfish interest and carrying on like you have an inherent right to football like one of your children, and all this while football sails down the gutter, then you have to be crazier than nero, hitler and napoleon all in one.

and what really have me wailing angry is that DJW came and met a federation on the rise and lied his way into power just to seek his own interest and the football delegates allowed this to happen, the same way they allowed camps to sit there for 20 years being elected over and over again, a man who has not put up one grass roots program for football in this country, is a testament of the kind of utterly worthless people we have in that despicable place.

these people are worst than vultures, they are self serving mindless Cretans who should be miles away from any kind of sporting organization.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on September 09, 2020, 09:38:41 PM
TTFA's Secret Panama Trail: The real truth behind the Home of Football. An exclusive investigative documentary airing on Thursday, September 10th at 8pm on CNC3.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ehhj7Y9WkAABAmo?format=jpg&name=medium)
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on September 10, 2020, 05:31:45 AM
Panama again!!!!
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Trini _2026 on September 10, 2020, 06:34:20 PM
Panama bank account ahh DJW
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on September 10, 2020, 10:09:27 PM
Mark Bassant doing God work. I couldn't believe nobody wasn't following the money. Thought Liburd would have been on it.

We now seeing light. The normalization committee is just the corrupt covering corruption. I hope this whole thing bring down FIFA.... Once again :banginghead: sigh
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on September 10, 2020, 10:42:52 PM
Can we get a synopsis of the report ?

is this it ?
https://www.cnc3.co.tt/truth-about-the-home-of-football/
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on September 11, 2020, 12:53:45 AM
Fat boss ran like a cornered rat in that episode to the point where you could have seen the guilt on his face. he pretended to be in control with the silly laughter, but deep down he was hurting. I’m surprised he didn’t haul off and attack bassant with his golf club, since IMO he was losing control of his emotions.

but as usual nothing would come of this unless the United States authorities get involved and charge him for money laundering with the use of their currency, that’s the only saving grace here, will it happen is another story, that’s left to be seen, fingers crossed. “to catch a fat thief and a bald headed crook” should have been the title of the episode.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on September 11, 2020, 04:05:41 AM
Mark Bassant doing God work. I couldn't believe nobody wasn't following the money. Thought Liburd would have been on it.

We now seeing light. The normalization committee is just the corrupt covering corruption. I hope this whole thing bring down FIFA.... Once again :banginghead: sigh

That is exactly what I said in a couple of posts. If this lands on the right desk, expect Infantino to throw DJW under the bus.

Wallace and the United TTFA must have knowledge and some proof of the corruption. That must explain why they decided to take on Goliath.

With this revelation, Wallace's chances with the CAS just got stronger. . Especially if he can make a case that his removal was to protect the corruption of DJW and Infantino. The question is whether Infantino knew about this. If he does (which I think he does), he looks even more guilty.

I expect FIFA to welcome Wallace's calls for mediation now. . EVERYTHING will come out in q court case. Even if it goes in front of the CAS.

Next thing, DJW is not going to try to defend himself. Watch and see
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on September 11, 2020, 04:47:55 AM
Truth about the Home of Football.
By Mark Bassant (3.cnc3.co.tt)


Lead Editor, Investigative

A financial trail of secret Panama deals, a hidden Panamanian bank account and a hefty CONCACAF loan no one had an inkling about are just some of the things unearthed during a year-and-a-half-long Guardian Media investigation into the affairs of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) under the tenure of former president David John-Williams between 2015 and 2019.

Fourteen years after Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, the TTFA is on course to face sanctions from international governing body FIFA for challenging the Normalisation Committee sent in to reorganise local football.

What this means is that should the recently removed board led by William Wallace fail to withdraw a High Court case against FIFA by September 16, T&T football will likely face its darkest ever moment – suspension from international football.

And while much of the focus surrounds actions taken by former president Wallace, a Guardian Media investigation has found that it was the action of another former president that pushed T&T football to the brink.

David John-Williams

Guardian Media has unravelled a complex web of suspicious financial transactions done in the name of the Home of Football during its investigation.

The facility, now being used as a COVID-19 step-down centre during the ongoing pandemic, was billed by Williams as the project to turn around the fortunes of local football by generating income to pay off the TTFA’s massive debts. Instead, it has now plunged it into further debt.

“Although it’s the Home of Football, it belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and it’s an opportunity for them to see it, touch it, feel it and to understand the truth of the Home of Football,” John-Williams said about the facility before its opening.

On November 18, 2019, at the facility’s official opening, FIFA president Gianni Infantino lauded John-Williams for the project, saying it will ensure his legacy.

“Well, this president, David John-Williams, has shown wisdom and vision because he’s investing in the future. And the results of this investment will be seen very clearly in the very near future,” Infantino said then.

However, John-Williams was ousted as FA president one week later and indeed his legacy lives on, but arguably for all the wrong reasons.

The result of the investment is a TT$23.7 million structure that remains unfinished and an association in crippling debt, with millions owed to contractors and service providers.

And that’s just the financial impact.

Local football has also been left in ruin, with coaches, officials and players left unpaid for years of hard work.

All this came despite John-Williams, between the years 2015 to 2019, having access to millions of US dollars in FIFA Forward Funding Programme money, as well as funds released by regional body CONCACAF.

Where did FIFA funding go?

In early 2018, construction began on the foundation of the Home of Football project.

Through its Forward Development Programme, which aims to support member associations with financial support in daily operations and development projects, FIFA gave the TTFA US$2 million for the facility in early 2017.

While the funding is usually given every four years, the period of an executive’s tenure, the TTFA received two sets of funding during John-Williams’ four years in office.

In January 2019, he received the second tranche, even before Wallace’s administration came into office.

In June 2018, according to Keith Look Loy, board member of Wallace’s former executive, John-Williams decided to split the first set of US$2 million funding in business transactions involving 15 companies.

The 15 companies, Look Loy said, were: Geotechnical Engineering Consultancy Services, Aleron Limited, CPML Contractors Limited, Quintessential Design Solutions, ECOTEC EPS Construction Technologies, Transbrokerage Services Ltd, Ready Mix (West Indies) Trinidad Ltd, Trinrico Steel and Wire Products Ltd, Kamal Phulsingh, Deon George Welding and Fabrication, Deon George Welding and Fabrication, Clophas Medina Limited, A.M.A Transport and Contract Services Limited, Ramlagan General Hardware, Point Lisas Steel Products Ltd and Alescon Ready Mix.

This method then, TTFA executives said, allowed the then president to circumvent having to put the contracts up for tender.

There was no record at the board level of the companies selected, according to former TTFA general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan.

“Even after the companies were contracted, executive members never saw bills or invoices for the project,” Ramdhan said when Guardian Media spoke to him several weeks ago.

These practices occurred despite FIFA Project Manager Solomon Mudege’s list of stipulations upon the granting of the funding for the project.

In July 2017, Mudege wrote to then association president, saying, firstly, any contract or purchase of supplies more than US$300,000 must be subject to a tender process. Secondly, any contract under US$50,000 could be awarded to a single contractor or supplier and thirdly, selective tendering required three quotes before any contract could be awarded.

However, when Wallace came into office, he said he found no evidence that any of those recommendations were followed.

This allowed John-Williams to bypass the board and handpick contractors and suppliers for the project, according to several former TTFA executives.

In addition to the US$2 million special funding for the Home of Football project, John-Williams, as then-president, had access to another $1.25 million in annual operational cost allocations from FIFA in 2018.

Despite this, the following embarrassing events happened that year.

In July 2018, the T&T Under-15 women’s team was unable to compete in the CONCACAF Championship in Florida after the TTFA failed to provide funding for the team to get US visas in time.

In August 2018, then T&T Under-20 men’s coach Russell Latapy stopped team training after hundreds of thousands in salaries for him and his staff went unpaid for more than a year.

In September 2018, the T&T senior women’s team could not afford to enter into a pre-tournament training camp in North Carolina and resorted to seeking public help on social media and government assistance.

Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe eventually answered their call, providing a cheque for more than US$60,000. But Cudjoe wasn’t pleased about the circumstances behind it though, saying, “They are our flag bearers and we have a duty to ensure that they are treated with dignity, compassion and respect, and this national embarrassment could have been avoided and must never be allowed to happen again.”

2017 hardly different to 2018

Between November 2016 and January 2017, T&T’s national team had three managers – Stephen Hart, who was fired, Belgian Tom Saintfiet, who resigned and Dennis Lawrence, who replaced Saintfiet.

Just a few months into his tenure, Lawrence and his staff complained about not receiving salaries on time. Lawrence, later fired in December 2019, achieved a 16% winning record.

In February 2017, former manager Hart sued the TTFA for US$714,000 for wrongful dismissal and outstanding salaries.

In May 2017, the T&T Futsal team sued the TTFA for unpaid salaries and expenses totalling more than US$65,000. The association was later ordered in 2018 to pay the figure plus legal costs in compensation.

In late 2017 into 2018, the T&T senior men’s team did not receive match fees amounting to close to US$100,000.

These legal battles left the organisation with a debt of more than US$1.7 million at that time.

Lots of material

After writing to FIFA’s member association director Veron Mosengo-Omba in July 2017, asking for permission for the TTFA, and not a contractor, to purchase structural material for the Home of Football project, John-Williams was granted permission to do so.

This approach, John-Williams claimed, would have saved the TTFA and selected contractors money.

“The association is in the fortunate position to have the necessary in-house expertise to collaborate with project managers and make educated decisions on the construction activity,” John-Williams wrote in a letter to Mosengo-Omba months after.

According to former TTFA executive Look Loy and others, the then board had major concerns about this move.

Given John-Williams’ background as a contractor, there was a possible conflict of interest, the board felt then. And with the then-president failing to provide them with information about the project, they weren’t sure who the main contractor for the project was.

Those answers remained unanswered during the entirety of the project, according to members of the then board.

According to our findings though, there is reason to believe that the contractor for the project was none other than John-Williams himself.

Guardian Media has discovered that the former TTFA president oversaw business transactions with a Panamanian company called ECOTEC.

But when asked recently about his decision to conduct business with ECOTEC, allegedly without board approval, John-Williams refused to answer the question, saying, “Mr Bassant, I’m not talking to any media.”

John-Williams also made several trips to the Central American country during his tenure, unknown to any of his fellow executives.

Guardian Media obtained details of his destinations in 2018 and 2019 and the short times he spent while there. Invoices, obtained by Guardian Media, showed the transaction involving the exchange of goods to be delivered for the Home of Football.

Signed by John-Williams and ECOTEC’s commercial director Juan Jose Cano Alvarado, the invoices amounted to approximately US$282,653.85.

According to the invoices, the materials purchased included: thermal panels, drymix and proform blocks.

Customs documents obtained showed that between February and May 2018, 40 containers with material for the Home of Football arrived from Panama at the Port of Port-of-Spain.

The invoices and materials were sent directly to John-Williams, suggesting he was the contractor for the project.

In contravention of Article 8 D of FIFA’s Forward Development Programme regulations, which states that associations may only use bonafide accounts to transact project business, the materials were paid via RBC and Republic Banks accounts, when all three of TTFA’s accounts are at First Citizens.

FIFA deposited its funding into those First Citizens accounts. Ramdhan, the former TTFA general secretary who had knowledge about these First Citizens bank accounts, also verified this to Guardian Media.

Asked why he decided to use Royal Bank and Republic Bank accounts to pay ECOTEC, John-Williams, whom we caught playing golf in Couva, claimed, “I don’t know about any Royal Bank account, Mr Bassant, but if you say we use Royal Bank, fine.”

These transactions, of course, came at a time when the association was unable to meet even operational costs.

And apart from the US$300,000 spent in material from ECOTEC, there were significant shipping costs. This included a US$53,268 fee for demurrage – a late fee for failing to clear shipments that had arrived at the port.

The delay, according to shipping sources, was because John-Williams didn’t have enough US currency, despite receiving US$2 million for the project in 2017.

The former TTFA boss refused to answer questions Guardian Media posed to him about the demurrage, as well as the reasons for his failure to clear the containers.

Breakdown of cost to ECOTEC

ECOTEC MATERIALS- $282,653.85 US

FREIGHT- $86,055 US

VAT ON THE SHIPMENT- $46,422.82 US

PORT RENT – $47,896.16 US

TRANSPORT- $11,571.42 US

THE PANAMA DOCUMENTATION: $7,096.35 US

BROKERAGE – $6,428.57 US

DEMURRAGE- $ 53,268 US

TOTAL- $546,392US

The ECOTEC invoices for two of the containers also contained inconsistencies.

According to the documents, one container contained thermo panels, while the other had proform, other materials and two monomix machines. On the invoice, the two monomix machines were valued at US$8,200 each. However, on the customs form C82, the monomix machines were not listed. And according to shipping sources, the machines were not inside the containers examined.

The machines bizarrely appeared on the construction site of the Home of Football later on but then they disappeared in November 2019.

A police report was filed by former TTFA secretary Ramdhan on March 20, 2020, but they are yet to be recovered.

With no indication on ECOTEC’s website that they carry monomix machines, Guardian Media contacted ECOTEC’s commercial manager, Juan José Cano Alvarado, by phone on August 17.

At first, Alavarado said the company did not sell the machines. But upon hearing about the TTFA’s purported purchase, he claimed the company did sell the machines.

Despite the pumps being valued at US$8,200 on the invoice, Alvarado claimed the cost of one machine was at least US$14,000.

“David contacted ISOTEX – Venezuela and they sent it to us since they do not handle production for the economic reasons that we know in Venezuela,” Alavarado said when asked who contacted him from Trinidad to do business.

Alavarado said ECOTEC ensured payment was confirmed before materials were delivered.

When questioned about invoices which seemingly show that John-Williams paid for ECOTEC material with money from non-TTFA accounts, the former TTFA boss declined to answer.

John-Williams also declined to comment specifically about the purchase of the two monomix machines as he strolled through the Sevilla Golf Course with a golf club in hand.

In 2018, as confirmed by immigration sources, John-Williams made seven overseas trips. Of special interest were his trips to Panama, with his first trip to the Central American country coming on January 17, 2018.

His two-day visit came approximately one month before he submitted the invoices for ECOTEC to FIFA officials for the Home of Football. In December 2018, he travelled to Panama City again, returning to Trinidad three days later.

“Based on our detailed information, you travelled to Panama in 2017 and also in January 2018 and December 2018. I have all your travel documents and records. Was that only to conduct business with ECOTEC, or was it also to attend to your Panamanian bank account at BPR Bank?” Guardian media asked John-Williams.

He laughed.

With reporting by Joshua Seemungal.

Part Two – Following the Money Trail and Implications

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Cruyff on September 11, 2020, 05:07:16 AM
Could the real Gary Griffith please stand up....your move sir!
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: gawd on pitch on September 11, 2020, 05:51:29 AM
Could the real Gary Griffith please stand up....your move sir!

It go come. . And when it happens, FIFA will not do anything to protect DJW.

It's about optics too. If Infantino keeps NC in place after hearing about this, he will look just as corrupt.

Score

United TTFA 2 - 0 NC/FIFA
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on September 11, 2020, 06:18:19 AM
 :cursing: :( >:( :-\ :'( :frustrated: :-[ :banginghead: :pissedoff:
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: lefty on September 11, 2020, 07:11:24 AM
Wonder how tony and andre goin and spin this shit sandwich, tony, sadly was on vacation when this broke but errol, dat snake ah want to hear him
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on September 11, 2020, 11:17:22 AM
Seems like the technical quality of the golf stroke declined as the questioning evolved. That last one was more weed-wacking and escapist than finesse.

In terms of imagery, a golf course is probably one of the last places yuh would want to be fielding questions about hidden money yuh supposedly know nothing about.

It sends such an encouraging message to those players who are starving or on unpaid starvation wages or unpaid match $.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on September 11, 2020, 12:15:21 PM
The imagery surely will not escape many... Also the strangely false arrogant laughter
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on September 11, 2020, 12:21:57 PM
Wonder how tony and andre goin and spin this shit sandwich, tony, sadly was on vacation when this broke but errol, dat snake ah want to hear him
you telling me. can’t wait to hear tied tongue andre and all the william wallace detractors spin their way out of that bag of shit, oh yeh, I would like to see brent wanker share a big bite of that sandwich as well.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on September 11, 2020, 12:28:21 PM
Seems like the technical quality of the golf stroke declined as the questioning evolved. That last one was more weed-wacking and escapist than finesse.

In terms of imagery, a golf course is probably one of the last places yuh would want to be fielding questions about hidden money yuh supposedly know nothing about.

It sends such an encouraging message to those players who are starving or on unpaid starvation wages or unpaid match $.
yow! I swore that his strength left his body on that last shot, that’s how guilt ridden the man was. I’m sure when he went home he had to change his draws because of the stains after that encounter  :rotfl:, what a fat wanker he is.  :busshead:
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on September 11, 2020, 02:25:00 PM
Seems like the technical quality of the golf stroke declined as the questioning evolved. That last one was more weed-wacking and escapist than finesse.

In terms of imagery, a golf course is probably one of the last places yuh would want to be fielding questions about hidden money yuh supposedly know nothing about.

It sends such an encouraging message to those players who are starving or on unpaid starvation wages or unpaid match $.
yow! I swore that his strength left his body on that last shot, that’s how guilt ridden the man was. I’m sure when he went home he had to change his draws because of the stains after that encounter  :rotfl:, what a fat wanker he is.  :busshead:

If the police was doing their jobs they would have been on this already and had a wire tap waiting for him after this. Because I can imagine the frantic calls and texts he would have made on the car ride home
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: FF on September 11, 2020, 03:58:23 PM
Seems like the technical quality of the golf stroke declined as the questioning evolved. That last one was more weed-wacking and escapist than finesse.

In terms of imagery, a golf course is probably one of the last places yuh would want to be fielding questions about hidden money yuh supposedly know nothing about.

It sends such an encouraging message to those players who are starving or on unpaid starvation wages or unpaid match $.
yow! I swore that his strength left his body on that last shot, that’s how guilt ridden the man was. I’m sure when he went home he had to change his draws because of the stains after that encounter  :rotfl:, what a fat wanker he is.  :busshead:


(https://guardian.co.tt/image-3.2790741.117685.20200911034420.47ac84dab7?size=512)
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: ABTrini on September 12, 2020, 08:19:43 AM
Another iconic mastermind - Are we the only Caribbean nation where allegedly FIFA funds have been deployed to construct monuments to honour and profit the"  sdog " of  our football body.

First the Centre of Excellence now HoF - let's play football bingo - " under the "W's". we have .....
Title: TTFA's money trail to Panama
Post by: Tallman on September 12, 2020, 10:49:22 AM
Money trail to Panama
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


With the help of forensic investigators, Guardian Media unravelled a financial trail leading to a Panamanian bank account which seems to have been opened by former T&T Football Association president David John-Williams in April 2017.

Using an email address used by John-Williams for many years, forensic investigators conducted a legal data analytic trace.

The email address allowed the investigators to pin down communication with any bank in their database, including any bank in Panama or elsewhere in the world.

Their search flagged an account with a Panamanian bank called BPR Bank, SA.

Located in the financial district of Panama City, the bank only started operating in Panama in 2016.

Doing a deep dive with personal information about John-Williams provided by Guardian Media, the investigators reported that, “We have reason to believe that Mr David John-Williams is in possession, and or associated, with a bank account at this bank which has in excess of US$1.5 million.”

On April 1, 2017, the bank account was created and on the same day US$279,742.62 was deposited into it via a payment order, according to the information the investigators obtained.

This is bearing in mind that at some point in early 2017, FIFA gave the TTFA US$2 million in funding for the Home of Football project in Couva. At the same time, the association’s finances were in serious decline.

On August 15, 2017, another payment order of US$249,640.20 was deposited into the BPR account. In four months, a total of US$529,382.82 was deposited into the account. Sometime in 2018, the forensic investigators said, US$1 million was also deposited into the account in one transaction.

Guardian Media also obtained information about two Panamanian companies, SOREG INC. and COLSOL Investment Corporation, in which John-Williams appeared as a director.

According to forensic investigators, the deposits in the BPR bank account came from those two companies.

According to Panama’s public registry, SOREG INC was formed in 1975 and COLSOL Investment Corporation in 1977.

Forensic investigators and another reliable source verifying the information said both companies are defunct - SOREG dissolved and COLSOL Investment Corporation was suspended.

Someone named David Apollnaris John-Williams, the same name as the TTFA’s former president, is listed as a director and secretary in these companies, according to forensic investigators.

Why? Because they said it likely made it easier for John-Williams to open an account with BPR Bank SA, since his name was listed on the Panamanian companies.

What the forensic experts concluded in their report to Guardian Media was that if COLSOL Investment and SOREG were used for the transactions to the BPR account “a predication of an off-the-shelf offshore scheme may exist.”

Usually registered through a company formation agent before being transferred to the customer, an off-the-shelf company, or ready-made company, is a pre-registered limited company that was never traded.

What this means, according to investigators is that COLSOL and SOREG were likely used as a conduit to facilitate the transfer of the money into the BPR bank account in Panama, allegedly owned by John-Williams.

“Forensic investigators established you opened the account in early April 2017 and then made a deposit through a payment order to the account for US$279,000, and then on August 18th, another payment order deposited US$249,000,” Guardian Media asked to John-Williams near his home at the Sevilla Golf Course, in Brechin Castle, Couva on Tuesday (September 8.).

“To my bank account? ... It’s laughable. I hope you can produce the evidence,” John-Williams said in response.

“During the investigations they discovered the money came from two companies - SOREG Incorporation and COLSOL Investment, where they said you were listed as a director and secretary, and it seems the money came from an account with these business names that were defunct. They alleged you inserted your name into these companies and later transferred the funds to the bank account you set up. Whose money is that?” Guardian Media then asked.

He laughed.

Finally, we asked John-Williams, “Why did you decide to open an account in 2017 in Panama?”

Once again, he laughed.

Hidden loan and second tranche

When the newly-elected TTFA board assumed office in November 2019, then-president William Wallace asked FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer about FIFA’s Forward Development Programme funding for the period 2019-2022.

But FIFA’s Veron Osembo-Omba failed to inform Wallace that former president David John-Williams had already received the funding in January 2019, well ahead of time.

That money remains unaccounted for.

Also unaccounted for is a CONCACAF loan that John-Williams was granted in May 2017.

Like the second tranche of funding, no one knew that John-Williams received the CONCACAF loan. The loan, unknown to the then TTFA board, came a month after the Panama bank account was opened.

It also came only a few months after FIFA gave the TTFA US$2 million of Forward Funding money and approximately US$1.2m in annual operational costs - US$700,000 in January and US$500,000 by July of that year.

The CONCACAF promissory note, obtained by Guardian Media, showed the signatures of CONCACAF General Secretary Phillipe Moggio and John-Williams as the loan’s borrower.

The loan’s agreement stated: “The use of proceeds of the amounts borrowed hereunder shall be solely for administrative, technical and operational expenses of the borrower (TTFA), including preparation and travel of the borrower’s national teams to official CONCACAF or FIFA competitions and which have been pre-approved in writing by the lender. None of the proceeds will be used for any other purposes.”

As part of the agreement, TTFA had a maturity date of 30 days to repay the amount, or as stipulated, after this date, interest was to be accrued annually.

Three years later, this loan has not been repaid, with the interest sending the association into deeper debt.

In December 2019, just a few months before a FIFA Normalisation Committee replaced the TTFA administration under Wallace, CONCACAF’s Chief Financial and Administration Officer Alejandro Lesende wrote to Yale Antoine (TTFA administrative officer) indicating the outstanding debt from 2017, with interest, stood at US$662,988.04.

Given the TTFA’s already precarious finances, Lesende was reluctant in lending the money, according to CONCACAF insiders. However, he decided to grant the loan on the condition that it was to pay off people owed money by the association.

Guardian Media obtained a breakdown of the parties who received partial payments:

Ex-national manager Stephen Hart received US$70,000 for 2016.

Former national manager Dennis Lawrence was paid US$20,000.

Out of the money originally assigned to Lawrence, however, some was paid to technical staff and a few national players for a portion of their match fees.

According to TTFA and CONCACAF insiders, most of the loan intended for operational use was diverted to the Home of Football project instead, leaving creditors in a quandary.

Asked why he decided to take out the CONCACAF loan, John-Williams declined to comment.

“Did you short change Trinidad and Tobago football and the people of this nation, Mr Williams?” Guardian Media then asked.

He again declined comment.

When the last TTFA board came into office in late November 2019, they attempted to dig into the financial dealings that occurred during John-Williams’ tenure.

On February 2, 2020, Wallace wrote to FIFA’s Chief Member Association Officer Veron Mosengo-Omba inquiring about the FIFA Forward Funding for 2019-2022.

Dismissively, Mosengo-Omba responded saying, “We are aware of the financial situation and existing debts of the TTFA. However, in order to have a holistic view of the financial situation of the TTFA, we will send a joint mission of FIFA-CONCACAF which will be comprised of financial experts to work with the FA, so that we can have clarity, and to work with you for the next move. In the meantime, we can only release funding directly related to competition/tournament preparation, as we have been doing so far.”

But when Guardian Media previously spoke to John-Williams for another story in May this year, he sent us a letter from FIFA signed by Mosengo-Omba outlining that FIFA was pleased to announce their entitlements under the FIFA Forward Programme for $2m for the years 2019-2022 - a second tranche that was given in an election year when a new TTFA president (Wallace) was later chosen.

In other words, John-Williams received two tranches of FIFA Forward Programme money in 2017 and 2019. Usually, monies are given under this programme every four years. The question remained why Mosengo-Omba failed to tell Wallace, in his letter in February this year, that the FIFA Forward Programme for the next four years had already been disbursed in January 2019?

One month later, in March, a FIFA Normalisation Committee under Robert Hadad took control from the Wallace-led TTFA board.

There remain a few questions about the dealings between the John-Williams board and members of the FIFA executive.

Last October, in an interview with UK journalist Paul Nicholson, then TTFA member Selby Browne hinted that should John-Williams lose the TTFA election, FIFA would remove the new board and install a Normalisation Committee.

Was the FIFA Normalisation Committee a way to cover up transgressions committed during the reign of John-Williams?

With FIFA’s Congress due on September 18 and the TTFA facing possible sanctions for taking the current dispute over the Normalisation Committee to court, will FIFA probe allegations of corruption, or rather will T&T football face its darkest moment without the full truth coming to light?

Time will tell.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 14, 2020, 12:12:16 PM
FIFA officer linked to FKF crisis mentioned adversely in Trinidad & Tobago troubles
By Robin Toskin and Charles Odero (standardmedia).


FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Veron Mosengo-Omba, who has been in the recent past accused of his role in Football Kenya Federation (FKF) crisis, is no stranger to controversy.

The FIFA chief first came to the limelight last year as having approved the acquisition of undelivered Outside Broadcasting van that FKF paid the now insolvent WTS Media Group Limited Sh125million from the FIFA Forward Fund.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Lordvic Aduda also last year claimed that Veron Mosengo-Omba, as the Member Associations Head for Africa and the Caribbean, oversaw the technical evaluation and subsequent approval of the van months before the UK-based company collapsed with creditors’ money, FKF being one of them.

In 2016, immediately Nick Mwendwa was elected president, FKF embarked on an ambitious project to buy an OB van for production of football content.

FKF had hoped to use the van to generate content and extra money to supplement its programmes and save local clubs the cost of production in CAF assignments.

Despite FKF splashing Sh125million as down payment, WTS Broadcast are yet to deliver the van.

Standard Sports has on several occasions over the last two years written to FIFA and Veron Mosengo-Omba over the fate of the OB van.

Fifa’s standard response has been that “FIFA received the report from the FKF and its lawyers regarding the non-delivery of the broadcast vans and equipment. FIFA has asked follow-up questions based on the report and we are engaging with the FKF in order to assess the options that are available.”

“The FKF has also provided responses to locals stakeholders such as the Sports, Culture, and Tourism Parliamentary Committee. FIFA will continue to monitor this matter, and further updates will be provided in due course.”

Protagonists in the protracted Football Kenya Federation elections, which have twice been nullified by the independent Sports Disputes Tribunal, point at an invisible hand from FIFA.

Despite the FKF violating the FIFA Standard Elections Code, as found by Kenya’s Sports Tribunal, on December 3, 2019 and March 17, 2020, Mosengo-Omba has been reluctant to throw the book at the local FA.

For instance, while the FIFA Standard Elections Code says in Article 4 (2) that “The members of the (Electoral) Committee are not allowed to serve for two consecutive terms” FKF did appoint one Prof Edwin Wamukoya, who served in the 2016 elections board that brought the incumbent Nick Mwendwa to power.

Curiously, Mosengo-Omba as FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Office, failed to invoke Section G of the Fifa Electoral Code that says: “Failure by the association to apply the principles of this code shall be considered a serious violation of Article 13 of the FIFA Statutes and shall lead to consequences described in Article 14 of the FIFA statutes or the disciplinary measures provided for under Article 55 of the FIFA Statutes,” states paragraph (1) of the section (G) of the FIFA Standard Electoral Code.”

Mosengo-Omba rejected proposals by the Sports Tribunal that FIFA imposes a Normalisation Committee instead called for a meeting of stakeholders he described as “for the sake of peace.”

The Swiss-Congolese national has since gone back on his call for the meeting, instead urged FKF to go ahead with the elections based on the FA’s controversial elections code – a move that has raised eye-brows.

Now the very Mosengo-Omba has been adversely mentioned in an investigative story by Trinidad and Tobago Guardian regarding his role in millions of US dollars in FIFA Forward Funding stashed in Panama banks meant for the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association.

A financial trail of secret Panama deals, a hidden Panamanian bank account and a hefty CONCACAF loan no one had an inkling about are just some of the things unearthed during a year-and-a-half-long Guardian Media investigation into the affairs of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) under the tenure of former president David John-Williams between 2015 and 2019.

Fourteen years after Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, the TTFA is on course to face sanctions from international governing body FIFA for challenging the Normalisation Committee sent in to reorganise local football.

And while much of the focus surrounds actions taken by former president Wallace, a Guardian Media investigation has found that it was the action of another former president that pushed T&T football to the brink.

Guardian Media unraveled a complex web of suspicious financial transactions done in the name of the Home of Football during its investigation.

According to Guardian Media, Mosengo-Omba granted permission to former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams to purchase structural material for the Home of football project that has now brought negative financial impact to Trinidad and Tobago football development.

After writing to FIFA’s member association director Mosengo-Omba in July 2017, asking for permission for the TTFA, and not a contractor, to purchase structural material for the Home of Football project, John-Williams was permitted to do so.

This approach, John-Williams claimed, would have saved the TTFA and selected contractors money.

“The association is in the fortunate position to have the necessary in-house expertise to collaborate with project managers and make educated decisions on the construction activity,” John-Williams wrote in a letter to Mosengo-Omba months after.

According to former TTFA executive Look Loy and others, the then board had major concerns about this move.

Given John-Williams’ background as a contractor, there was a possible conflict of interest, the board felt then. And with the then-president failing to provide them with information about the project, they weren’t sure who the main contractor for the project was.

Those answers remained unanswered during the entirety of the project, according to members of the then board.

According to our findings though, there is reason to believe that the contractor for the project was none other than John-Williams himself.

Guardian Media has discovered that the former TTFA president oversaw business transactions with a Panamanian company called ECOTEC.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 14, 2020, 04:35:06 PM
Police start ‘preliminary investigation’ into DJW money trail to Panama.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 16, 2020, 01:50:07 AM
Hadad, Romano keen to hear John-Williams on Home of Football.
By Ian Prescott (Express).


It is time for David John-Williams to speak up and defend himself.

This call has been made by both Normalisation Committee chairman Robert Hadad and committee member Nigel Romano.

The pair made the call during an interview on the SportsMax Zone programme on regional Cable TV network Sportsmax.

John-Williams, immediate past president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, was the highlight of a recent television expose on the Home of Football which raised questions about how the funds for the FIFA project were used.

Hadad, appointed by FIFA in March to head the Normalisation Committee — set up to replace the elected president William Wallace and his executive — said John-Williams needed to say something.

“Absolutely yes. I think he needs to address some of the matters and the accusations about him, definitely yes,” Hadad said. His call was backed up by Romano.

Asked if the Normalisation Committee had found any evidence of money for the Home of Football project going to a bank account in Panama as the CNC3 investigation claimed, he said: “I have not seen any evidence of that. The questions were asked and they need to be answered and I would hope that the people with the answers, the people who own the bank accounts, will step up and explain the source of funds.”

However, questioned repeatedly about whether they had seen any evidence of money that came to the TTFA’s accounts for the project not being accounted for, Hadad said: “FIFA has done their central audit and they have reported that they have found nothing untoward in what they have seen. We have also been very active with a statutory audit...We are not going in to verify that contracts were given to who, how and why. What we are doing is verifying the money spent on the Home of Football, verifying that the invoices are there and that the money was paid out of a legitimate bank account of the TTFA. What we have seen is we have a very detailed report of the $32million spent on the Home of Football and we have invoices for every transaction.”

Romano added: “If the moneys came into a TTFA bank account...we saw where it went out and we have established that there is evidence to support that the outgoings bought material for the home of Football. If the money went direct to Panama, we wouldn’t be able to (verify that).”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on September 16, 2020, 06:36:29 AM
That's the slow sound of DJW being thrown under the bus, if you wondered
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 17, 2020, 08:23:32 AM
Cops start criminal probe of ex-TTFA boss' activity.
By Mark Bassant (Guardian).
Lead Editor, Investigative Desk


After GML expose on John-Williams

A Guardian Media exclusive investigation has prompted a criminal probe by the white-collar division of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), into the activities of the T&T Football Association (TTFA), a Panamanian bank account linked to its former president David John-Williams and all business transactions involving the Home of Football project in Couva.

This investigation comes at a time when the sport of football and the cash-strapped TTFA is on the verge of facing its darkest ever moment—suspension by international football’s governing body FIFA come tomorrow.

The investigation was opened almost one week after the exclusive and explosive CNC3 documentary titled TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail (https://www.socawarriors.net/federation-news/23058-ttfa-s-money-trail-to-panama.html), which detailed some of John-Williams’ activities regarding the Home of Football project while in office. Police investigators told Guardian Media that the criminal investigation was sparked by last Thursday’s documentary.

A high-powered team of investigators from the TTPS’ Fraud Squad, Anti-Corruption Bureau(ACIB) and the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) met late Monday evening to discuss the matter and initiated the formal criminal investigation.

Senior investigators told Guardian Media they took a special interest in the documentary that unravelled questionable business transactions, a hidden Panamanian bank account and other alleged financial improprieties during John-Williams’ tenure.

“The probe will be looking at financial mismanagement and malfeasance at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association,” a senior police source familiar with the impending investigation told Guardian Media yesterday.

Of critical concern to investigators is the Panama account linked to John-Williams and uncovered by Guardian Media with the help of forensic investigators. Police investigators would like to trace the source of funds in the account and why it was first hidden in off-the-shelf companies. This was disclosed yesterday by one of the senior investigators mandated to work on the case.

The forensic report uncovered the account at the BPR Bank SA in Panama, where two deposits amounting to just over half a million US dollars were made in April and August 2017 and another US$1m deposited into the account in 2018—making it a total of some US$1.5m found in the account.

The monies were deposited to the account after it had been passed through another account in the names of two now-defunct Panamanian companies—SOREG Inc and COLSOL Investment Corporation.

Investigators are also hoping to scour the TTFA bank accounts in an effort to better understand the money trail. They will be attempting to verify if any other accounts were used to transfer funds to Panama for the business arrangement with ECOTEC—which provided the structural material for the Home of Football on the instructions of John-Williams at a cost of $282,653.85, or for any other kind of business/banking arrangement that had been sanctioned without the consultation of the then TTFA board between 2015 and 2019.

The lead investigator in the probe will be Superintendent Ruben from the Fraud Squad and he will be assisted by heads and other senior ACIB and FIB officers in the expansive trans-Atlantic investigation.

During the CNC 3 documentary, questions were raised about who the main Home of Football contractor was, as evidence gathered pointed to it being John-Williams - who organised the structural material and oversaw business with ECOTEC. The invoices and material were sent directly to John-Williams.

John-Williams also made several trips to Panama during his tenure, unknown to any of his fellow TTFA executives. FIFA’s Forward Development Programme regulations had warned about any possible conflict of interest in the project.

Investigators say they will also be scrutinising this business arrangement to inquire if John-Williams may have allegedly profited in some way from the transaction.

Several former and present TTFA officials and other key people are also expected to be interviewed by the police in the investigation. FIFA officials may also form part of the blanket of people to be interviewed if needed.

Investigators are expected to interview three key people who may have intimate knowledge about certain financial transactions that may have gone down over the last few years. Guardian Media understands several other bank accounts of key individuals may also form part of the far-reaching probe.

The criminal investigation comes at a time with FIFA is locked in a legal battle with the TTFA—who had been asked to withdraw its court matter over the installation of a Normalisation Committee to restructure local football yesterday or face possible suspension when the FIFA Congress convenes tomorrow.

RELATED NEWS

Police start ‘preliminary investigation’ into DJW; Quan Chan, Daniel respond to allegations.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith says the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has ‘taken notice’ of allegations of financial misconduct supposedly committed by former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams but remained tightlipped about an official probe.

John-Williams was the subject of an hour long feature by CNC3 investigative journalist Mark Bassant last Thursday called ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’, which claimed that, among other things, the football administrator diverted Fifa funding meant for the TTFA Home of Football into a secret Panamanian bank account.

“We have noted [the CNC3 feature] and it has our attention,” said Griffith, who worked as a security consultant with the TTFA during John-Williams’ tenure.

However, a police source claimed that the TTPS has already started ‘preliminary investigations’.

“Based on the matter being put in the public domain, we have already started checks to see if any crime was committed on Trinidad soil,” said the high-ranking lawman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It could be money laundering, it could be financial impropriety or tax evasion. It could be a number of different things, or it could be nothing at all.”

John-Williams oversaw the Home of Football project which, on the surface, had a Fifa budget of US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million.

However, what the TTFA Board did not know—as revealed by CNC3—is that ‘DJW’ was granted a second loan for US$2 million, on 18 January 2019, by Fifa Member Associations (Africa and Caribbean) chief Véron Mosengo-Omba, which also went into the project.

The latter figure was an advance on money available to the TTFA between 2019-22, which meant that John-Williams’ successor, William Wallace, found that a portion of his funding from the world governing body was already spent when he took office last November.

Despite having a TT$32 million war chest, the Home of Football did not have its own power source, commercial insurance or a proper kitchen when Fifa president Gianni Infantino flew in to cut the ribbon in a gala affair on 18 November 2019.

On 22 April 2020, Minister of National Security Stuart Young listed the ‘tweaks’ that were necessary before the Home of Football could be used to house Covid-19 patients.

“Corporate sponsorship came from Ansa McAl, Beacon provided the public liability insurance, I had a number of companies providing us with the fire extinguishers, Safe Tech, and some other companies and also the fire signs,” said Young. “[…] We had Flow provide the cable and the internet for each room, we had WASA on site within a matter of hours, doing all that needed to be done to get the water supply working.

“The Defence Force worked overnight to fix the sewerage system, CEPEP—Minister Kazim Hosein and his CEPEP gang—got there a matter of hours after the request, cleared the place, built fire trails. I am going to miss certain names [who also assisted].

“[Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman] Mr Robert Hadad personally donated light bulbs and other things to assist. […] We got washing machines, dryers, electricals…”

Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president Keith Look Loy, who was a TTFA Board member for the final two years of John-Williams’ reign, got a High Court order in 2019 to access invoices for the project, and found a glaring lack of accountability.

“When I added up the quantum of what was stated in the contracts, the grand total was TT$3.189 million; but the grand total of the Fifa contribution for the Home of Football was US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million,” said Look Loy. “So I don’t know how they plan to explain that shortfall; but the gap is over $16 million!

“[…] I was told by [general secretary] Camara David there are service providers who had workers [on the Home of Football project] on a daily paid basis and they had no contracts, and they were just paid in cash, which they then paid their workers with—so there was no record.”

At the time, Look Loy did not know that the Home of Football budget was TT$32.14 million, rather than TT$19.25 million. It means the unaccounted figure was closer to TT$29 million or US$4.3 million.

John-Williams, as Wired868 revealed then, got approval from Mosengo-Omba and Fifa Development Programmes manager Solomon Mudege to run the project himself.

“Given the [TTFA] president’s know-how in the construction business having over 39 years of experience,” John-Williams wrote to Mosengo-Omba, referring to himself in the third person, “the Association is in the fortunate position to have the necessary in-house expertise to collaborate with project manager and make educated decisions on the construction activity.

“[…] Can you advise if there is a requirement for TTFA to engage in public advertisement and public tendering? Or in the interest of expedition, we can go to the market in a selective tendering exercise?

“Secondly, apart from accelerating the project, we are of the view that procuring some [of] the high cost structural material by TTFA and providing same to the selected contractor may bring some cost savings through avoidance of contractor mark-ups on materials purchased…”

Both Fifa officials gave DJW the thumbs up.

“If the TTFA has the necessary expertise and is in agreement with the selected contractor,” replied Mosengo-Omba, “then the TTFA may purchase any materials that are required in the construction project.”

Fifa regulations allow for contracts below US$50,000 to be awarded to a single contractor or supplier without tender. So, John-Williams broke up the work into multiple packages.

The TTFA Board’s tender committee for the Home of Football was chaired by first vice-president Ewing Davis and included second vice-president Joanne Salazar and Southern FA president Richard Quan Chan. Wired868 was unable to reach Davis or Salazar on the CNC3 allegations. However, Quan Chan said he was in the dark.

“I have no information of any money laundering,” Quan Chan told Wired868. “I once heard a rumour that he was laundering money through a hardware and we had a small chat about it. I told him what I heard and he said that that does not make sense no-how.

“He never admitted to me anything like that.”

Quan Chan said he knew nothing about the diversion of local football money to accounts in Miami or Panama either.

“If I don’t know about what happening with the accounts in Trinidad, I would know about Panama accounts?” asked Quan Chan. “The first I heard of those other accounts was when Mark Bassant spoke about it.”

Quan Chan also served on John-Williams’ emergency committee alongside Davis, Selby Browne (VFFOTT), Anthony Moore (TFA) and Bandele Kamau (EFA). At the time, members accused the committee of being a rubber stamp for the president, which allowed him to circumvent the scrutiny of the board.

Still, John-Williams did not always inform the emergency committee of what he was up to either. By the time John-Williams brought a proposed apparel deal from Capelli Sport to the emergency committee, for instance, the Soca Warriors were already wearing gear from the obscure New York-based company.

“At the point of time, I didn’t fuss because it was really a short term thing—probably less than three months,” said Quan Chan, as he explained why he did not object to signing off on a deal after the fact.

The SFA president, who was a former HR manager at Petrotrin, said he simply never asked about John-Williams’ secret deal with either i95.5FM or its reporters Andre Baptiste and Tony Lee, which appeared to include airfare, hotel accommodation and, on occasion, broadcast fees.

“I don’t know what contract or arrangement they worked with, with i95.5,” he said. “[…] I know they travelled with the team as the ‘reporting arm of the TTFA’ but I never saw any contract or knew what the details were.”

Quan Chan conceded that board members might have some responsibility for what transpired during their term but said the constitution needed to be amended, so as to help ensure better governance.

He noted that current TTFA president William Wallace is also guilty of doing deals without board approval, like the contracts he entered into with controversial English salesman Peter Miller and Avec Sport, as well as the terms he offered to general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan and Soca Warriors head coach Terry Fenwick.

“That is one of the things that amazes me with the United TTFA,” said Quan Chan, “because some of the things they complained about, they ended up running with it. It felt as if John-Williams was still here.

“[…] Personally, I think we have to review the whole system. What [finance committee head Kendall] Tull started doing with the board [on corporate responsibility] was a pretty good thing.

“There should be oversight of everything to ensure that all is above board.”

Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of digging for skeletons in the TTFA’s closet. And, as recent as 27 August 2020, Hadad allegedly told Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe that John-Williams was not guilty of financial misconduct during his tenure.

Hadad has not yet responded publicly to the TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail documentary.

Normalisation committee vice-chair Judy Daniel did see Bassant’s programme, though. And she urged for further investigation… of Wallace!

“When will TT become mature and accept responsibility for their negligence in allowing the alleged high level of corruption?” asked Daniel, via what appeared to be her Facebook account. “[…] We did well as a small nation but will go no further unless we develop our own vision for football and move towards that, not just sitting back and depending on Fifa money.

“Shame on all the talkers now that suspension is looming because again a few have initiated action to keep power in their hands.

“I look forward to viewing an investigative report that shows the numerous high-priced contracts that Wallace issued in a mere four months of his reign, while the TTFA was bankrupt—all in keeping with the trend established by John-Williams.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 17, 2020, 03:12:49 PM
Ex-TTFA president poised to take legal action.
Loop Sports.


Former President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association David John-Williams is considering legal action against Guardian Media Limited (GML) and investigative reporter Mark Bassant.

The media house ran several articles and stories during the past week which allege wrongdoing on the part of John-Williams during his time as TTFA President.

John-Williams says that all of the allegations are false.

The former TTFA President said he is awaiting his day in court and intends to “make publicly available the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me, which will show all of these allegations to be baseless.”

He served as President of the TTFA from 2015-2019, during a turbulent time in local football.

He was replaced as TTFA President by William Wallace in November 2019.

However, FIFA, the world governing body for football, booted the Wallace administration out of office in March 2020, replacing it with a Normalization Committee.

John-Williams has been out of the limelight since then, but the recent stories in the GML group have brought a response.

Here is the full statement released by John-Williams.

Statement by David John-Williams, former President of the TTFA

Over the past few days, Guardian Media Limited (GML) has published several articles in its Guardian Newspaper and has carried several news stories on its television station, CNC 3, all created by Mr. Mark Bassant, and in the course of which allegations of wrongdoing have been leveled against me in connection with the construction of the TTFA’s ‘Home of Football’ during my tenure as TTFA President. All of the allegations made against me are false.

Prior to publishing these allegations, Mr. Bassant, no doubt in an attempt to immunize himself and GML from liability for their falsity, ambushed me on a golf course and inundated me with a series of questions and statements which I could not reasonably be expected properly to answer in the course of his ambush. I give the unqualified assurance that there are complete answers to all of Mr. Bassant’s allegations.

I have also been advised that Mr. Bassant’s attempt to immunize himself and GML from liability does not have the prophylactic effect for which he and GML undoubtedly wished, and that he and GML are both liable for the false and defamatory allegations contained and made in these articles and television news stories, which they continue to publish and to carry.

I have engaged attorneys-at-law to examine and to advise me on the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me and which lays bare the untruth, the distortions and the falsehoods contained in these articles and television news stories. Once my attorneys-at-law have completed their due diligence, I will be instructing the filing of legal proceedings against GML and Mr. Bassant for these odious and contemptible allegations which have caused my family and myself incomprehensible distress. Further, after their review thereof and to the extent that I am permitted by my attorneys-at-law to do so, I also propose to make publicly available the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me, which will show all of these allegations to be baseless.

In the meantime, I deprecate in the strongest terms possible GML’s and Mr. Bassant’s attempts to elevate sensationalism and character-assassination to the ranks of journalism and I await my day in court when I will clear my name and cause GML and Mr. Bassant to account dearly for their libel.

Title: Tim Kee raised Home of Football issues with FIFA boss
Post by: Tallman on September 18, 2020, 07:41:51 AM
Tim Kee raised Home of Football issues with FIFA boss
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


A few months after the construction of the Home of Football began in 2018, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino was alerted by a former T&T Football Association boss about allegations of “impropriety, dictatorship and unconstitutional actions” on the part of then-president David John-Williams as it related to the Home of Football project.

But Infantino failed to respond to the email or even act on the information provided in it by former TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee and showed up for the facility’s opening in November 2019, just a week before John-Williams was ousted as president and replaced by William Wallace’s team.

Guardian Media exclusively obtained Tim Kee’s email to Infantino on October 16, 2018, from international insiders. The email was also copied to FIFA general secretary Fatma Soura, CONCACAF president Victor Montagaliani and Caribbean Football Union president Randy Harris.

Soura is the official who told the TTFA if it did not withdraw its court matter against FIFA in the local courts by Wednesday this week it would face possible suspension today at FIFA’s Congress.

In his email, Tim Kee, now deceased, told Infantino, “The presidency of David John-Williams has been plagued with allegations of impropriety, dictatorship and unconstitutional actions. Many of these issues now form the basis of a High Court action pursued by a member of the board.”

Tim Kee said he had been asked by TTFA members, the business community and the public to break his silence on the matter in the interest of football. He said while he believed in the principles of the FIFA Statutes, he felt John-Williams’ “actions could further harm an already wounded association rather than deliver it from the precarious position in which it now finds itself.”

Tim Kee was not only critical about the alleged transgressions committed by John-Williams but issues that cropped up with the Home of Football construction almost on a weekly basis. He highlighted to Infantino that the issues related to the project.

“The award of contracts, the money spent thus far on the project, the questionable purchasing of materials for the project undertaken by the TTFA president and the inability to produce documentary evidence re; the contracts and invoices relative to the project,” Tim Kee wrote.

In conveying his dissatisfaction, Tim Kee used strong language, stating, “The project has been fraught with controversy and deception from its inception. Mr John-Williams’ intimacy with it is therefore curious and invites suspicion. While all requests from the board for disclosure regarding the project have been met with outright refusal and display of gymnastics by the president (John-Williams). FIFA representative Mr Veron Mosengo-Omba has given the now controversial project the ‘green light.’ This situation begs for intervention by FIFA, as one of its agents might be compromising the organisation.”

Tim Kee added, “The genesis of the woes that are now confronting the TTFA and the development of football, in particular, is Mr David John William’s preoccupation with the Home of Football project. His fixation on this project has negatively impacted the operations of the TTFA and placed the organisation in the worst position it has ever been. The TTFA has been in ‘crisis’ mode since Mr Williams assumed the presidency.”

Tim-Kee added that John-Williams handling of TTFA affairs were also affecting national development programmes at every level.

“Mr Williams’ survival is due primarily to his manipulation of the constitution, disenfranchising board members and prevailing by the ensuing slim majority derived from such action. Akin to all dictatorships, a handful of people are holding a whole nation to ransom. In this particular instance, the entire Caribbean, as we have long been the leading football country that stood as a beacon of hope in the region.”

In closing, Tim Kee appealed for action from Infantino.

“On behalf of the concerned citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and myself, we are reaching out in our moment of desperation to you Sir, as President of the governing body, to put an end to this travesty and tyranny of David John Williams.”

His last line before his sign off read, “For the game for the world!”

Sources familiar with the contents of the email told Guardian Media that Infantino never responded to Tim Kee’s email despite the alarming concerns raised in his letter.

Only on Monday, the T&T Police Service White-collar Division opened a criminal probe into the T&TFA, John-Williams and the matters surrounding the Home of Football. This came after a Guardian Media exclusive investigation into the activities of the T&TFA under John-Williams uncovered a Panamanian bank account and questionable business transactions surrounding the project.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 18, 2020, 09:12:02 AM
Infantino: We kicked corruption out of football.
By Narissa Fraser (Newsday).


FIFA president Gianni Infantino says under his leadership, the association has “kicked corruption out of football.” He said FIFA was “toxic” and served itself rather than football.

Speaking at FIFA’s 70th Congress on Friday morning, Infantino said the association has been reformed.

He said it will continue to fight against issues such as corruption, racism and match-fixing in the sport.

“We witnessed it (corruption), we saw it, we kicked it out. We will not let it come back.

“Match-fixing is eating football in its soul. It’s a crime and it's difficult to catch because of the international environment.”

Infantino said the association works at the highest standard of governance and are delivering.

“This is the new FIFA and I’m proud and you should be proud. Even if the process to get there was painful and there are still sources who want to drag us back into the darkness of the past because they don’t like reforms or because they want to hide their malpractices. Who knows?

“But there is no way back. We introduced good governance reforms. We know where the money comes from and where it goes. Everything is out there and transparent – just look at our financial reports and compare them to the past.”

When Infantino visited T&T for the opening of the Home of Football in Couva on November 18, 2019, the Prime Minister praised the new team, describing past administrations as "a mafia."

RELATED NEWS

No mention of T&T football at FIFA Congress.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).


FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not mention TT football when he spoke about the suspension or expulsion of a member at the 70th FIFA Congress, on Friday.

Infantino in his brief comment on the topic said, "There is nothing that falls into this agenda item which is obviously good news."

Robert Hadad, head of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, which replaced the William Wallace-led TT Football Association (TTFA) in March, told Newsday on Thursday he was not sure if FIFA would decide on Friday whether or not they will suspend T&T from all FIFA-organised internationals and competitions.

Wallace is the head of the United TTFA team that successfully challenged for leadership of the TTFA in November 2019.

Wallace and his vice-presidents Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Joseph Sam Phillip, are challenging FIFA’s decision, on March 17, to remove the TTFA executive from office and install a normalisation committee.

FIFA, on August 26, gave the United TTFA a deadline of September 16 to withdraw their case from the High Court and have it heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), or face disciplinary action (either a ban or suspension) at the FIFA Congress.

Wallace, on Tuesday, was adamant that the United TTFA was not backing down from their legal battle against FIFA.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 18, 2020, 09:15:43 AM
Police start ‘preliminary investigation’ into DJW; Quan Chan, Daniel respond to allegations.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith says the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has ‘taken notice’ of allegations of financial misconduct supposedly committed by former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams but remained tightlipped about an official probe.

John-Williams was the subject of an hour long feature by CNC3 investigative journalist Mark Bassant last Thursday called ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’, which claimed that, among other things, the football administrator diverted Fifa funding meant for the TTFA Home of Football into a secret Panamanian bank account.

“We have noted [the CNC3 feature] and it has our attention,” said Griffith, who worked as a security consultant with the TTFA during John-Williams’ tenure.

However, a police source claimed that the TTPS has already started ‘preliminary investigations’.

“Based on the matter being put in the public domain, we have already started checks to see if any crime was committed on Trinidad soil,” said the high-ranking lawman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It could be money laundering, it could be financial impropriety or tax evasion. It could be a number of different things, or it could be nothing at all.”

John-Williams oversaw the Home of Football project which, on the surface, had a Fifa budget of US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million.

However, what the TTFA Board did not know—as revealed by CNC3—is that ‘DJW’ was granted a second loan for US$2 million, on 18 January 2019, by Fifa Member Associations (Africa and Caribbean) chief Véron Mosengo-Omba, which also went into the project.

The latter figure was an advance on money available to the TTFA between 2019-22, which meant that John-Williams’ successor, William Wallace, found that a portion of his funding from the world governing body was already spent when he took office last November.

Despite having a TT$32 million war chest, the Home of Football did not have its own power source, commercial insurance or a proper kitchen when Fifa president Gianni Infantino flew in to cut the ribbon in a gala affair on 18 November 2019.

On 22 April 2020, Minister of National Security Stuart Young listed the ‘tweaks’ that were necessary before the Home of Football could be used to house Covid-19 patients.

“Corporate sponsorship came from Ansa McAl, Beacon provided the public liability insurance, I had a number of companies providing us with the fire extinguishers, Safe Tech, and some other companies and also the fire signs,” said Young. “[…] We had Flow provide the cable and the internet for each room, we had WASA on site within a matter of hours, doing all that needed to be done to get the water supply working.

“The Defence Force worked overnight to fix the sewerage system, CEPEP—Minister Kazim Hosein and his CEPEP gang—got there a matter of hours after the request, cleared the place, built fire trails. I am going to miss certain names [who also assisted].

“[Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman] Mr Robert Hadad personally donated light bulbs and other things to assist. […] We got washing machines, dryers, electricals…”

Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president Keith Look Loy, who was a TTFA Board member for the final two years of John-Williams’ reign, got a High Court order in 2019 to access invoices for the project, and found a glaring lack of accountability.

“When I added up the quantum of what was stated in the contracts, the grand total was TT$3.189 million; but the grand total of the Fifa contribution for the Home of Football was US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million,” said Look Loy. “So I don’t know how they plan to explain that shortfall; but the gap is over $16 million!

“[…] I was told by [general secretary] Camara David there are service providers who had workers [on the Home of Football project] on a daily paid basis and they had no contracts, and they were just paid in cash, which they then paid their workers with—so there was no record.”

At the time, Look Loy did not know that the Home of Football budget was TT$32.14 million, rather than TT$19.25 million. It means the unaccounted figure was closer to TT$29 million or US$4.3 million.

John-Williams, as Wired868 revealed then, got approval from Mosengo-Omba and Fifa Development Programmes manager Solomon Mudege to run the project himself.

“Given the [TTFA] president’s know-how in the construction business having over 39 years of experience,” John-Williams wrote to Mosengo-Omba, referring to himself in the third person, “the Association is in the fortunate position to have the necessary in-house expertise to collaborate with project manager and make educated decisions on the construction activity.

“[…] Can you advise if there is a requirement for TTFA to engage in public advertisement and public tendering? Or in the interest of expedition, we can go to the market in a selective tendering exercise?

“Secondly, apart from accelerating the project, we are of the view that procuring some [of] the high cost structural material by TTFA and providing same to the selected contractor may bring some cost savings through avoidance of contractor mark-ups on materials purchased…”

Both Fifa officials gave DJW the thumbs up.

“If the TTFA has the necessary expertise and is in agreement with the selected contractor,” replied Mosengo-Omba, “then the TTFA may purchase any materials that are required in the construction project.”

Fifa regulations allow for contracts below US$50,000 to be awarded to a single contractor or supplier without tender. So, John-Williams broke up the work into multiple packages.

The TTFA Board’s tender committee for the Home of Football was chaired by first vice-president Ewing Davis and included second vice-president Joanne Salazar and Southern FA president Richard Quan Chan. Wired868 was unable to reach Davis or Salazar on the CNC3 allegations. However, Quan Chan said he was in the dark.

“I have no information of any money laundering,” Quan Chan told Wired868. “I once heard a rumour that he was laundering money through a hardware and we had a small chat about it. I told him what I heard and he said that that does not make sense no-how.

“He never admitted to me anything like that.”

Quan Chan said he knew nothing about the diversion of local football money to accounts in Miami or Panama either.

“If I don’t know about what happening with the accounts in Trinidad, I would know about Panama accounts?” asked Quan Chan. “The first I heard of those other accounts was when Mark Bassant spoke about it.”

Quan Chan also served on John-Williams’ emergency committee alongside Davis, Selby Browne (VFFOTT), Anthony Moore (TFA) and Bandele Kamau (EFA). At the time, members accused the committee of being a rubber stamp for the president, which allowed him to circumvent the scrutiny of the board.

Still, John-Williams did not always inform the emergency committee of what he was up to either. By the time John-Williams brought a proposed apparel deal from Capelli Sport to the emergency committee, for instance, the Soca Warriors were already wearing gear from the obscure New York-based company.

“At the point of time, I didn’t fuss because it was really a short term thing—probably less than three months,” said Quan Chan, as he explained why he did not object to signing off on a deal after the fact.

The SFA president, who was a former HR manager at Petrotrin, said he simply never asked about John-Williams’ secret deal with either i95.5FM or its reporters Andre Baptiste and Tony Lee, which appeared to include airfare, hotel accommodation and, on occasion, broadcast fees.

“I don’t know what contract or arrangement they worked with, with i95.5,” he said. “[…] I know they travelled with the team as the ‘reporting arm of the TTFA’ but I never saw any contract or knew what the details were.”

Quan Chan conceded that board members might have some responsibility for what transpired during their term but said the constitution needed to be amended, so as to help ensure better governance.

He noted that current TTFA president William Wallace is also guilty of doing deals without board approval, like the contracts he entered into with controversial English salesman Peter Miller and Avec Sport, as well as the terms he offered to general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan and Soca Warriors head coach Terry Fenwick.

“That is one of the things that amazes me with the United TTFA,” said Quan Chan, “because some of the things they complained about, they ended up running with it. It felt as if John-Williams was still here.

“[…] Personally, I think we have to review the whole system. What [finance committee head Kendall] Tull started doing with the board [on corporate responsibility] was a pretty good thing.

“There should be oversight of everything to ensure that all is above board.”

Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of digging for skeletons in the TTFA’s closet. And, as recent as 27 August 2020, Hadad allegedly told Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe that John-Williams was not guilty of financial misconduct during his tenure.

Hadad has not yet responded publicly to the TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail documentary.

Normalisation committee vice-chair Judy Daniel did see Bassant’s programme, though. And she urged for further investigation… of Wallace!

“When will TT become mature and accept responsibility for their negligence in allowing the alleged high level of corruption?” asked Daniel, via what appeared to be her Facebook account. “[…] We did well as a small nation but will go no further unless we develop our own vision for football and move towards that, not just sitting back and depending on Fifa money.

“Shame on all the talkers now that suspension is looming because again a few have initiated action to keep power in their hands.

“I look forward to viewing an investigative report that shows the numerous high-priced contracts that Wallace issued in a mere four months of his reign, while the TTFA was bankrupt—all in keeping with the trend established by John-Williams.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on September 18, 2020, 10:43:32 PM
Palease, the police commissioner is all bark and no teeth, and in the end fatso is going to walk away free sheet and emboldened to steal again. just look at jack warner, he’s free as a bird to live without fear of prosecution in that jokey country though he made off with 188 million and no one as much as looked his way, police commissioner my foot.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 19, 2020, 02:23:06 AM
DJW denies receiving US$2m for HoF in 2017.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


FORMER TT Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams has vehemently denied receiving US$2 million in funding, in 2017, from FIFA – the sport’s global governing body – towards the Home of Football (HoF) project in Couva, under FIFA’s Forward Development Programme.

In a statement issued by the ex-TTFA head (2015-2019), he also refuted allegations made against him that TTFA was in receipt of an additional US$1.25m to assist in its operational costs during the same fiscal year.

After receiving confirmation from his attorneys-at-law to respond to these claims made by a Guardian Media Limited (GML) report, entitled Secret Panama Trail on September 10, John-Williams published a seven-page document, on Friday, to clear the air.

The document included scanned copies of TTFA’s FIFA Forward Project application for “Construction of TTFA Sporting Accommodation and Ancillary Facilities” which showed the HoF’s projected budget at US$2,740,000. The estimated start and completion date was also given as August 15, 2017 to July 15, 2018.

According to this statement, FIFA would contribute US$2,250,000 while ‘total member-association contributions’ (US$365,000) and ‘other contributions’ (US$125,000) completed the projected HoF costs. This document was signed off by then president John-Williams and general secretary Justin Latapy-George.

The former president also attached a copy of the FIFA Forward Programme Statement of Approval where the global governing body confirmed receipt of the TTFA’s application and granted the local fraternity their promised amount of US$2,250,000, on August 15, 2017.

However, FIFA declared they would disburse these funds “from the entitlement of the TTFA to FIFA Forward funds for the 2016-2018 cycle in three milestone payments”.

According to this document, the first milestone payment of US$900,000 would be delivered “upon receipt of the present document accepted and signed by your association and by providing an invoice for the above amount”.

The second tranche of US$675,000 would be released “upon a written report signed by the constructing company confirming completion of 70 per cent of the works” while the third (US$450,000) would come after receipt of a report by the same company upon completion of 80 per cent of the project.

A fourth milestone payment of US$225,000 was also expected to be wired to TTFA “one month after the completion of the installation and following receipt of a handover document signed between the construction company and your association without reservations”.

In his defence, John-Williams wrote, “As of July 2017, the TTFA had not even yet submitted its application for the (HoF) Project. The TTFA’s application was submitted on August 15, 2017 and was approved by FIFA on the 5 September 2017.

“The TTFA received its first disbursement of US$900,000 in November 2017. Further, the lease for the land to be used for the project was given on August 3, 2017 by the Government of TT. No approval could have been given by FIFA without this lease.”

He concluded, “Additionally, in 2017 the TTFA as well as all Member Associations of FIFA received a sum of US$500,000 for its operational costs. The TTFA did not receive US$1.25 million.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on September 19, 2020, 06:18:09 AM
It's worth noting that the former TTFA president has multiple TTFA documents at his fingertips.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: pull stones on September 19, 2020, 01:11:13 PM
It's worth noting that the former TTFA president has multiple TTFA documents at his fingertips.
this is all smoke and mirrors, and unless the feeds get directly involved in this case that gargoyle is going to walk and maybe even live to sue GML for defamation. only in the third world does this kind of misconduct is allowed to thrive, like the mighty sparrow’s song which profoundly stated that “good citizens” are allowed to get away with murder in that country, never facing the brunt of the law.

Just hoping the feds still has a hard on for fifa, and a special interest in bringing down that organization where it can be truly transparent. God I wish nothing but pot luck for david John williams from here on in, I not only want to see him in federal prison, but that whole corrupt fifa cabal.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 21, 2020, 12:43:05 AM
What a little CNC3 birdie told T&T; how Bassant became the bogeyman for football’s albatross.
By Earl Best (Wired868).


David John-Williams is standing on the par-5 fifth tee at the golf course at Savonetta, addressing his tee ball with his driver.  Investigative notes in hand, Mark Bassant ‘ambushes’ him.

“Is your middle name Apullnaris?” he asks.

Startled, the ex-president blocks his shot.

“Right!” he yells.

Bassant did not need the confirmation; he already knew that, having done his homework.

CNC3’s Bassant and Wired868’s Lasana Liburd started their journalistic journeys in the same place, the Sports Desk at the Trinidad Guardian, around the same time, the early 1990s. Perhaps that is why both have arrived—by very different routes—at the same conclusion, to wit, that David Apullnaris John-Williams is not the best thing for Trinidad and Tobago football.

Unsurprisingly, DAJW does not agree. However, he never quite says so in so many words. What he does use many words to say is that Bassant’s 10 September documentary on CNC3 titled ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’ was nothing but crap.

In it, Bassant talks a lot about a cuenta bancaria panameña but, if we are to believe John-Williams, it’s all made up, created, fiction. Nothing but a cuento de hadas trinitario.

In the ex-president’s response, one finds ‘…several articles and […] news stories created by Mr Bassant’ (my emphasis) and ‘all of the allegations made against me are false’. There is too ‘false and defamatory allegations…’ and ‘the untruths, the distortions and the falsehoods’ as well as ‘… odious and contemptible allegations […which] are baseless’.

And here’s the kicker: ‘… attempts to elevate sensationalism and character assassination to the ranks of journalism’.

But, as Liburd points out in his latest story, there is no attempt at refutation. Nary a word.

Liburd, mind you, has always gone out of his way to be fair to the former TTFA big sawatee with the unusual middle name. For example, in a story posted on Wednesday discussing allegations of possible million-USD malfeasance on the part of the ex-president, the Wired868 Editor opts for a headline about DAJW’s successor.

Liburd defends his choice on the grounds that he deemed that angle to be ‘more topical’?

But William Wallace’s major sin, any fair-minded commentator can see, is naiveté, innocence, a lack of street wisdom, being a little unsuspecting sardine in a shark-infested ocean.

Liburd makes links between DAJW and all kinds of people like Veron Mosemba-Ongo. But he steers very clear of the course in the plains of Savonetta.

Not so Bassant. He goes well out of his way to bring fear to DAJW. For over almost half a year, he made several trips—virtually!—to the USA and Panama to unearth possible dirt on the alleged TTFA-president-cum-at-one-and-the-same-time-TTFA’s-House-of-Football-contractor. For any investigative reporter, says Bassant, such journeys are par for the course.

I doubt he was hoping there to show us a Tiger Woods but no such luck. Anyway. All he encounters is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Remember all the promises we heard both before and after the election in November 2015?

“I hear that United TTFA is missing some greenbacks?” the reporter continues. “Do you know how many millions?”

“Fore!” comes the cry.  The ex-president has sliced his drive again.

“Actually,” Bassant says dryly, “it’s more than that. But, say what? What’s a few million between footballing friends?”

The reporter backs off, biding his time. If DAJW finds himself not in the fairway but in the rough or in the bunker, lies are going to be an issue. In fact, if the last answer is any guide, lies are more than likely to be an issue anyway.

So when the ex-president’s iron shot finally comes to rest on the fringes of the green, Bassant seizes his moment.

“What’s in your bag?” he asks pointedly. “Dólares?”

DAJW looks like he has seen a ghost. And he probably has. Chuck Blazer’s. It’s the full tape of Jack Warner and Mohammed Bin Hammam that begins to roll before his eyes.

Strategically, the reporter falls silent again. No point causing anybody’s sudden death, right?

Hole 6 is a par 3. That’s the best place for the ace. And Bassant has one up his sleeve.

As the ball rolls slowly towards the hole: “Where did you putt it?” he inquires. “En Panamá?”

Time to beat a retreat.

“You think I could see your card?” he throws over his shoulder at the ex-president, taking his leave. “Not the TTFA FCB one, the one from your personal account in Republic Bank.”

Bunkered! It’s not often you see a man pull a sand wedge on the green.

But it’s not often either that a former high-flying eagle realises that he’s now an albatross around football’s neck.

And, worse, all of footballing T&T—including Liburd’s Wired868—is about to find it out…

RELATED NEWS

DJW vows action after legal review but yet to rebut specific CNC3 claims.
Wired868.com.


Former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams has promised libel action against Guardian Media Limited and its investigative reporter Mark Bassant, as well as to clear his name from allegations of financial misconduct related to the Home of Football project.

However, John-Williams has done neither—not yet anyway.

In a press statement this morning, exactly a week after Bassant’s one hour documentary entitled ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’, John-Williams declared all the allegations false. But he did not offer alternatives to the specific claims made in the CNC3 programme and subsequent Trinidad Guardian newspaper articles.

“Mr Bassant, no doubt in an attempt to immunise himself and GML from liability for their falsity, ambushed me on a golf course,” said John-Williams, “and inundated me with a series of questions and statements which I could not reasonably be expected properly to answer in the course of his ambush. I give the unqualified assurance that there are complete answers to all of Mr Bassant’s allegations.

“I have also been advised that Mr Bassant’s attempt to immunise himself and GML from liability does not have the prophylactic effect for which he and GML undoubtedly wished, and that he and GML are both liable for the false and defamatory allegations contained and made in these articles and television news stories, which they continue to publish and to carry.”

John-Williams said he has ‘engaged’ attorneys, although they have not so much as issued a pre-action protocol letter to GML—let alone initiated libel proceedings. Instead, the W Connection president said his lawyers are reviewing his documentation, after which they should ‘advise’ him. John-Williams expects to lay charges at that point.

He warned that Bassant and CNC3 will ‘pay dearly’ for the allegations.

“I have engaged attorneys-at-law to examine and to advise me on the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me,” he said, “and which lays bare the untruth, the distortions and the falsehoods contained in these articles and television news stories.

“Once my attorneys-at-law have completed their due diligence, I will be instructing the filing of legal proceedings against GML and Mr Bassant for these odious and contemptible allegations which have caused my family and myself incomprehensible distress.”

John-Williams suggested that his attorneys will decide how much of his supposed defence to Bassant’s allegations will be shared with the public.

“To the extent that I am permitted by my attorneys-at-law to do so, I also propose to make publicly available the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me,” he said, “which will show all of these allegations to be baseless.”

John-Williams might also have to show his ‘material’ to the Fraud Squad, as the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) opened an investigation into his conduct this week.

Former TTFA president David John-Williams’ full response to TTFA Secret Panama Trail:

Over the past few days, Guardian Media Limited (GML) has published several articles in its Guardian Newspaper and has carried several news stories on its television station, CNC3, all created by Mr Mark Bassant, and in the course of which allegations of wrongdoing have been levelled against me in connection with the construction of the TTFA’s ‘Home of Football’ during my tenure as TTFA president. All of the allegations made against me are false.

Prior to publishing these allegations, Mr Bassant, no doubt in an attempt to immunise himself and GML from liability for their falsity, ambushed me on a golf course and inundated me with a series of questions and statements which I could not reasonably be expected properly to answer in the course of his ambush.

I give the unqualified assurance that there are complete answers to all of Mr Bassant’s allegations.

I have also been advised that Mr Bassant’s attempt to immunise himself and GML from liability does not have the prophylactic effect for which he and GML undoubtedly wished, and that he and GML are both liable for the false and defamatory allegations contained and made in these articles and television news stories, which they continue to publish and to carry.

I have engaged attorneys-at-law to examine and to advise me on the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me and which lays bare the untruth, the distortions and the falsehoods contained in these articles and television news stories.

Once my attorneys-at-law have completed their due diligence, I will be instructing the filing of legal proceedings against GML and Mr Bassant for these odious and contemptible allegations which have caused my family and myself incomprehensible distress. Further, after their review thereof and to the extent that I am permitted by my attorneys-at-law to do so, I also propose to make publicly available the material which I have in my possession and which is otherwise available to me, which will show all of these allegations to be baseless.

In the meantime, I deprecate in the strongest terms possible GML’s and Mr Bassant’s attempts to elevate sensationalism and character-assassination to the ranks of journalism and I await my day in court when I will clear my name and cause GML and Mr Bassant to account dearly for their libel.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 22, 2020, 01:51:41 AM
DJW disputes date in CNC3 report; Bassant: Doesn’t change crux of issue.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Eight days after CNC3 aired an hour long investigative report on former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams entitled ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’, the controversial administrator has offered his first rebuttal.

In one clip during the programme, CNC3 investigative journalist Mark Bassant told viewers: “Shipping sources say that John-Williams told them he didn’t have any US currency to clear the containers, even though in 2017 Fifa gave the TTFA that $2 million US in funding towards the Home of Football project under Fifa’s Forward Development Programme.

“In addition to the funding from the Fifa Forward Development Programme for the project, the TTFA got another 1.25 million US. This money came from the annual allocation given by Fifa to all federations to assist with operational costs of National Associations.

“After the disbursement of the project’s funding, Fifa’s Development Programme Manager, Solomon Mudege, in July 2017, made a list of stipulations which the TTFA should follow.”

John-Williams, via a press statement, said he was ‘cleared’ by his legal team to ‘issue the following statement of fact’ regarding that specific claim.

“As of July 2017, the TTFA had not even yet submitted its application for the Home of Football Project,” said John-Williams. “The TTFA’s application was submitted on 15 August 2017 and was approved by Fifa on 5 September 2017. The TTFA received its first disbursement of USD 900,000 in November 2017.

“Further, the lease for the land to be used for the project was given on 3 August 2017 by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. No approval could have been given by Fifa without this lease.”

In essence, Bassant said the TTFA received funding in July but, according to ‘DJW’, that money actually came in November.

Does a mix-up of dates in one soundbite cast aspersions over their entire documentary?

Bassant accepted the error but noted that, earlier in the hour long show, he did say that TTFA received the money from Fifa ‘in tranches’, starting in 2017. John-Williams’ correction, he suggested, does not impact on the more damning aspects of the investigative report, which alleged that the administrator might have diverted football money into a secret Panamanian account.

“The month was an error but the money was approved within virtually a month [of that July date],” Bassant told Wired868. “[…] It doesn’t change anything in the story… I said it was July but it was approved by Fifa in September, after the land was granted by the government in August.

“[…] The fact of the matter was Fifa gave them the money in 2017 for the Home of Football—that’s the crux of it. He still fails to answer the fact: why didn’t he pay the shipping fees in 2018, when he had already paid for all the material?”

John-Williams, according to Bassant’s investigation, paid US$283,000 to Panamanian company, Ecotec, between February and April 2018 for material. But then supposedly did not have money to clear the goods.

Where, Bassant asked, did the other US$617,000 go?

John-Williams offered another ‘fact check’ to the TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail. Bassant said, in the programme, that the TTFA received US$1.25 million from the Fifa Forward programme in 2017, which represented its annual subvention.

The former president disagreed.

“Additionally in 2017, the TTFA, as well as all member associations of Fifa, received a sum of USD 500,000 for its operational costs,” said John-Williams. “The TTFA did not receive USD 1.25 million.”

The Fifa website stipulates that all member associations with ‘an annual revenue of USD 4 million or less’ are entitled to financial support from the governing body, which is broken into two payments of US$500,000 plus US$250,000 ‘in order to support their travel and equipment needs’.

Almost certainly, this is how Bassant came up with the figure of US$1.25 million. However, the US$250,000 is not handed over to the association—but rather credited to meet specific bills for travel and equipment.

And, after the first tranches of US$500,000 is paid in January, the respective member association must earn the second figure of half a million USD by fulfilling up to 10 specific activities.

The activities (which are rewarded by Fifa with a payment of US$50,000 each) include:

1. ‘Organising men’s, women’s and youth competitions (two age groups for both girls and boys)—each competition should involve at least ten clubs for at least 90 matches and for at least six months each year’;

2. ‘Having active men’s, women’s and youth national teams—each one participating in at least four matches per year’;

3. ‘Having a functioning and regularly updated IT player registration and competition management system (provided free of charge by Fifa if needed); and

4. ‘Having men’s and women’s refereeing programmes’.

It is uncertain whether the John-Williams-led administration met Fifa’s criteria for additional funding in 2017. There was certainly no ‘functioning and regularly updated IT player registration and competition management system’ while only three teams—the Men’s National Senior Team, Boys’ National Under-15 Team and Women’s National Under-17 Team—played four times that year.

Women’s coach Carolina Morace, who had authority over the entire women’s programme, quit in 2017, after barely six months on the job, and took her staff with her. Morace cited breach of contract by John-Williams.

Fifa also ruled against the TTFA in several contractual matters over the last five or six years, and withheld money from the twin island republic to satisfy such judgments. It is uncertain whether John-Williams lost some expensive cases at Fifa level that year.

John-Williams did not explain why Trinidad and Tobago may have gotten only half of the money on offer from the Fifa Forward programme that year. He only said that Bassant was wrong on that score.

Bassant, incidentally, has stood by his claim regarding the allocation money.

Still, the CNC3 allegations go much deeper than that and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has already asked its Fraud Squad to investigate further.

John-Williams promised more answers ‘in the coming days’.

“It is my hope that in the coming days, I will be cleared by my attorneys to issue further statements of fact which will further expose the untruths, the distortions and the falsehoods contained in GML’s and Mr Bassant’s articles and television news stories,” stated John-Williams, “as I await my day in court when I will clear my name and cause GML and Mr Bassant to account dearly for their libel.”

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: ABTrini on September 22, 2020, 07:49:32 AM
Did we really need a dedicated HoF? Could upgrades not have been done to the Has,et Crawford Stadium?
Could funds not have been better deployed on paying off debts to players and coaches and divert into operational costs to enhance programming as oppose to new capital costs?

Are the entrusted leaders just dunce or greedy?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tiresais on September 22, 2020, 08:10:09 AM
Did we really need a dedicated HoF? Could upgrades not have been done to the Has,et Crawford Stadium?
Could funds not have been better deployed on paying off debts to players and coaches and divert into operational costs to enhance programming as oppose to new capital costs?

Are the entrusted leaders just dunce or greedy?

We didn't need it - they needed to actually take back the one Jack Warner stole, or expand on existing facilities. Total vanity project that DJW could funnel his construction companies through to earn side money.
Title: John-Williams confirms doing business with ECOTEC
Post by: Tallman on September 22, 2020, 10:55:50 AM
John-Williams confirms doing business with ECOTEC
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


Former T&T Football Association boss David John-Williams has further confirmed findings of a CNC3 investigative documentary titled “TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail” by admitting for the first time that he brokered a deal with the Panama-based company ECOTEC for structural materials for the Home of Football project in Couva.

Furthermore, he says he paid ECOTEC US$282,418.97 (TT$1.97m) upfront for their services in February 2018, as the documentary also uncovered.

The admission came more than three years after the deal which former TTFA executives were kept in the dark about the deal until it was disclosed in the documentary, and at a time when former and the most recent TTFA executives were still trying to decipher who exactly the project’s main contractor was until evidence uncovered by Guardian Media pointed to John-Williams himself.

In a 20-page release yesterday, John-Williams provided documents showing he did business with ECOTEC and paid them on February 21, 2018.

ECOTEC commercial director Juan Alvarado had confirmed to Guardian Media that payment was needed before the material could be delivered to Trinidad. The material was delivered in late February and the months of March and April of 2018.

The payment was made in the form of a First Citizens wire transfer from the TTFA’s FC bank account on February 21, after the TTFA wrote to FC Senior Operations Manager Angus Mc Neil about the wire transfer that was signed off by John-Williams and the association’s then finance administrative manager Tyril Patrick.

The evidence provided proof that the FC payment was made in its entirety to ECOTEC and John-Williams said in his release, “The TTFA did not operate any account at RBC or Republic Bank during my tenure. At no time did ECOTEC request the TTFA to pay its invoice via RBC or Republic Bank. TTFA paid ECOTEC’s invoice from its US FIFA Funds account at First Citizens Bank.”

When Guardian Media confronted John-Williams several weeks ago, we had detailed invoices stamped which said, “I hereby declare that this is the only invoice received in connection with the good enumerated therein payment has/will be made through RBC bank.”

However, John-Williams refused to answer questions on the validity of those documents. In his first media release on the issue last week, John Williams claimed he was ambushed while playing golf in Couva. However, he was given a fair chance to answer questions about ECOTEC and others surrounding the Home of Football project long before the golf course interview but chose not to.

By confirming payment to ECOTEC in February in 2018 yesterday, however, John-Williams confirmed shipping sources information that when the containers came in February, March, and April 2018, John-Williams did not pay the shipping costs at that time.

This only a few weeks after he paid ECOTEC US$282,418.97 and by his own volition, received almost US one million through FIFA’s Forward Development Programme for the project in November 2017.

Documents showed that demurrage of US$53,000 was racked up while containers sat at the Port-of-Spain Port for weeks after it arrived. John-Williams still has not answered why.

In his release yesterday, John-Williams claimed that he “did not apply for and was not granted any loan from CONCACAF for $400,000 in March 2016 or any other sum and all applications were made by the TTFA with the approval of its board.”

The Guardian Media investigative never mentioned any loan in 2016 but showed proof of a document for 2017 that showed John-Williams and CONCACAF’s General Secretary Phillip Moggio signing off on a loan for US$600,000, in which the conditionality was that the loan be paid back by the end of 2017 or it would accrue interest.

John-Williams claimed the then-board knew about this 2017 CONCACAF loan.

“The board of the TTFA and its members were fully aware of all loans from CONCACAF and the purpose of the loans,” he said.

However, at least two former TTFA board members we spoke to on condition of anonymity said they had no knowledge of the loan.

“If that loan was taken in 2017, I can say I knew nothing about it,” of former board member said.

Another former TTFA member added, “The initial loan may have been mentioned, but I will have to check my records, but I don’t recall hearing anything further after that.”

In fact, in the documents John-Williams provided yesterday of the audited statements of the TTFA for 2016-2017, the 2017 CONCACAF loan was noted there.

Quite peculiar in the documents provided by John-Williams was that the FIFA Forward funding money showed up in the 2016 financial statement but there nothing for 2017 or 2018.

Former TTFA member Ramesh Ramdhan told Guardian Media that when they got into office in November 2019, they only knew about the outstanding 2017 CONCACAF loan after a letter was sent by CONCACAF’s Chief Financial Officer Alejandro Lesende outlining the entire amount being owed including the interest of US$662,000.

John-Williams also sought to rebut issues related to the FIFA funding for the Home of Football.

John-Williams had admitted when the project got going that FIFA approved US$2.25m for the project to be paid in tranches. Guardian Media explained this, also outlining the 2019 disbursement and the difference with the operational funding, stating US$700,000US was given in January of that year with the other US$500,000 due by July.

Yesterday, however, John-Williams claimed in 2019 he did not receive the entire FIFA Forward allocation.

“As at September 2019, the TTFA applied for and received the aggregate sum of US$655,495.88 against its allocation and not US$2 million, as insinuated,” John-Williams said.

However, the document obtained by Guardian Media from John-Williams himself clearly showed the money was broken down and sent in tranches for both the Home of Football and separately for operational costs incurred by the TTFA.

FIFA Veron Mosengo-Omba responded to now-ousted TTFA president William Wallace’s request in February 2020 about the FIFA Forward money. In his response, Mosengo-Omba made no mention that money had already been given to the TTFA under John-Williams in 2019.

John-Williams confirmed the money had already been issued in his latest media release.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on September 22, 2020, 01:35:48 PM
It's worth noting that the former TTFA president has multiple TTFA documents at his fingertips.

It's not a best practice for persons with fiduciary responsibility to take "an organization" home with them at the conclusion of their tenure. In this particular instance, it's unlikely that some of the pertinent documentation ever made it TO the office at all. Of course, this is part of a larger TTFA failing ... failure by many to act as fiduciaries.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on September 23, 2020, 12:09:32 AM
DJW: ‘I’m a scapegoat…’ Ex-TTFA president continues Bassant rebuttals.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Controversial former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams offered his second attempt at rebutting CNC3’s ‘TTFA’s Secret Trail to Panama’ investigative report today.

The hour long feature, done by senior investigative journalist Mark Bassant on 10 September, alleged that John-Williams diverted football money to a secret Panamanian bank, and questioned his handling of TTFA finances for its Home of Football project.

Last week, John-Williams pointed out that Bassant got the date wrong for Fifa’s approval of the TTFA’s Home of Football and claimed that the local football body received less of the Fifa Forward Programme money for 2017 than the report suggested.

Today, John-Williams questioned whether a Concacaf loan received by TTFA in 2017 was ‘secret’—as Bassant apparently suggested—and again debated figures in the investigative report. He also insisted that the TTFA paid Panamanian company, Ecotech, from its First Citizens Bank account and not Republic Bank or Royal Bank.

“Fifa did not allot US$2 million in 2017 to the TTFA in funding towards the Home of Football project under Fifa’s Forward Development Programme as insinuated by Mr Bassant,” stated John-Williams. “Under the Fifa Forward Development Programme 1.0 which covered the period 2016-2018, Fifa allocated the sum of US$750,000 per year for special projects which included the Home of Football.”

The Fifa Development Committee, as John-Williams already admitted, approved a figure of US$2.25 million for the TTFA, which would be paid in four ‘milestone payments’—with the last due one month after completion of the Home of Football ‘following receipt of a handover document signed between the construction company and your association without reservations’.

Bassant, in that clip, appeared to average downwards and actually understated the money afforded to the John-Williams-led administration.

John-Williams described that as one of ‘the untruths, the distortions and the falsehoods contained in GML’s and Mr Bassant’s recent articles and television news stories’.

Another sticking point for John-Williams was the account used to pay for the TTFA’s material in Panama. The local body has two accounts at First Citizens Bank, through which it receives Fifa funding.

“I have invoices from Jose Alvarado that speaks to moneys being sent to his account from Royal Bank and Republic Bank invoices for the material you ordered from Panama,” stated Bassant, according to transcript offered by John-Williams. “Why did you use the Republic Bank and Royal Bank accounts to pay Ecotec? Whose accounts are those—because I know that TTFA has FCB accounts?”

John-Williams, in his defence, presented a wire transfer document that showed a US$282,418.97 payment from First Citizens Bank to Ecotec.

“The TTFA did not operate any account at RBC or Republic Bank during my tenure as president,” stated the football administrator. “At no time did Ecotec request the TTFA to pay its invoice via RBC and Republic Bank. TTFA paid Ecotec’s invoice from its US Fifa funds account at First Citizens Bank.”

However, Bassant showed John-Williams another document from Ecotec commercial director Juan Alvarado, during the CNC3 programme, which identified Republic Bank as the financial body through which ‘payment has/will be made through’.

That particular Ecotec invoice is yet to be explained.

John-Williams also attempted to rebut the claim, made previously by current TTFA president William Wallace, that the outgoing president received an advance of Fifa Forward Development Programme money for the period of 2019-22.

“John-Williams received […] the second tranche […] earlier than usual from Fifa in January 2019, an election year for the TTFA and choosing a new president,” stated Bassant. “Fifa’s Veron Mosengo-Omba failed to inform Wallace that John-Williams had already received that money in January 2019, money that still remain unaccounted for.

“[…] Just like the Concacaf loan that David John-Williams applied for in 2016 and was granted in May 2017—a loan no one knew he had taken to this day and that we uncovered during our investigation.”

John-Williams’ first point, in response, was, arguably, semantics.

“David John-Williams did not apply for and was not granted any loan from Concacaf in the sum of US$400,000 in March 2016 or any sum,” he stated. “Any and all applications to Concacaf were made by the TTFA with the approval of its Board.”

In other words, John-Williams applied for the loan as ‘John-Williams the TTFA president’ and not ‘John-Williams the private citizen’.

Second, John-Williams stated that his administration did not receive the full allocation of US$2 million, although it is uncertain that Bassant claimed otherwise.

“As at September 2019, the TTFA applied for and received the aggregate sum of US$655,495.88 against its allocation and not US$2 million, as insinuated,” stated John-Williams.

Arguably, since the US$2 million represented money due over a four-year cycle, John-Williams—if the figure he gave is accurate—still received more than his share, even if slightly so.

John-Williams also disputed whether any of the loans granted to his administration were secret. By way of evidence, the former president showed excerpts from the TTFA’s annual financial statements, which showed loans and grants from Concacaf and Fifa.

(Curiously, the Fifa Forward grant showed up in the TTFA’s 2016 financial statement, but not in 2017 or 2018.)

“The Board of the TTFA and its members were fully aware of all loans from Concacaf and the purpose of the loans,” stated John-Williams. “All loans were recorded in the audited financial statements of the TTFA for 2016, 2017 and 2018—approved by the TTFA Board as well as passed and approved unanimously by the members of the TTFA at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Annual General Meetings of the TTFA.”

John-Williams still has not taken legal action against Bassant and the Guardian Media Limited, while many of the programme’s claims remain unanswered. ‘DJW’ vowed to get there though.

Today, John-Williams, who oversaw an almost tripling of the TTFA’s debt during his four-year term, painted himself as a scapegoat for global disenchantment with football corruption.

“It is clear that GML’s and Mr Bassant’s articles and television news stories have used the poor reputation which football administration at the global level has earned itself in the past,” stated John-Williams, “as a cover for making inaccurate, careless and unsubstantiated allegations against me—in the obvious hope that the public, jaded by stories of corruption at the global level in the past, will today accept, without question, the false and distorted imputations and insinuations that they have determined to make against me.

“I am neither responsible for nor have I ever been a part of the debacle which played out at the level of global football administration in the past. And, to the extent permitted by my attorneys, it is my intention to continue to expose the false and distorted allegations and insinuations against me which GML and Mr Bassant have been selling the public, under the guise of investigative journalism.”

Bassant declined the opportunity to respond to John-Williams but suggested that his investigative work into the administrator is far from finished.

At present, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is also investigating claims against John-Williams.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on December 08, 2020, 06:21:59 PM
David John-Williams releases a statement concerning GML reported stories.
Soca Warriors Online Media.


Former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams reached out to the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) and shared a statement in reference to Guardian Media Limited (GML) newspaper stories created by investigative editor Mark Bassant about allegations of wrongdoing in connection with the construction of the TTFA’s ‘Home of Football’ during his tenure as TTFA President.

In September 2020 reporter Mark Bassant released a story "Truth about the Home of Football (https://www.socawarriors.net/federation-news/23047-truth-about-the-home-of-football.html)" a financial trail of secret Panama deals, a hidden Panamanian bank account and a hefty CONCACAF loan no one had an inkling about are just some of the things unearthed during a year-and-a-half-long Guardian Media investigation into the affairs of the TTFA the former president between 2015 and 2019.

Read below for his complete statement.

STATEMENT BY DAVID JOHN-WILLIAMS FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE TTFA

I issue this statement of fact further to my Statements on September 17th, 18th and 20th 2020 in
response to statements made in GML’s and Mr. Bassant’s articles and television news stories titled
“The Secret Panama Trail”.

FALSE STATEMENTS AND INSINUATIONS BY GML AND MARK BASSANT

“………we discovered a personal off shore bank account belonging to David John-Williams being set up
during this time.”

“So, based on our detailed information you travelled to Panama in 2017 and also in January 2018 and December 2018. to conduct business with ECOTEC or was it also to attend to your Panamanian bank account at BPR Bank that we have discovered with the help of forensic investigators?”

“Following extensive work, sic forensic investigators report identified that the email address had one banking relationship with a bank in Panama named BPR Bank, SA. ”

“The opening of the account happened at the same time the TTFA was struggling to pay its debts with millions being owed. At that same time, the TTFA’s finances were in decline, the account of Williams in an offshore bank was swelling”

STATEMENT OF FACT

I do not have a bank account in Panama nor am I otherwise beneficially entitled to any monies in any bank account in Panama including BPR Bank S.A, whether through COLSOL Investment Corporation or SOREG Incorporation.

Notarised documents provided by attorneys in Panama show that neither myself nor Soreg Inc. and Colsol Investment Corporation have any bank accounts, fixed term loans or loans with BPR Bank, S.A. or used any services of BPR Bank for bank transfers or any transaction of any nature. Mr. Bassant’s and GML’s statements on this score are untruthful fabrications.

FALSE STATEMENTS AND INSINUATIONS BY GML AND MARK BASSANT

“Guardian Media obtained the information regarding two Panamanian companies called SOREG Incorporation and COLSOL Investment Corporation in which the name David John-Williams appeared as a director among several other names. In the forensic investigative report it said the deposits to the BPR Bank account were received from SOREG Incorporation and COLSOL Investment Corporation.”

01105454-1

“Forensic investigators alleged that John-Williams inserted his name into these companies listed as a Director and Secretary. This, they say, made it easier for him to then approach BPR Bank, SA to open an account and may have later transferred the money.”

STATEMENT OF FACT

I have never been a director or held any office in Colsol Investment Corporation or Soreg Inc. Notarized documents from the public companies’ registry in Panama provided by attorneys in Panama show that a David John Williams domiciled in Hong Kong was listed as a director/secretary in Consol Investment Corporation or Soreg Inc. in 1978 and 1979. In 1978 to 1979 I was attending secondary school.

Mr. Bassant’s and GML’s statements on this score are untruthful fabrications.

Documentary Proof: The relevant documents are attached (click here (https://www.docfly.com/files/qs7g2o6li1e-13c0356a)). Once you click on the PDF file link, navigate to the left of the page to see list of full and other documents.

David John-Williams


Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on January 06, 2021, 02:11:09 AM
Home of Football could be mortgaged to clear TTFA debt.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).


Mortgaging of the now controversial Home of Football is one of several considerations by the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee which is headed by chairman Robert Hadad and his committee members that comprise attorney Judy Daniel and businessman and former banker Nigel Romano, to clear the debt of the T&T Football Association which is estimated to be in the region of TT$70 million at present.

Speaking to Guardian Media Sports on Monday, Hadad confirmed that his committee will try everything possible to clear a debt, which has crippled the country's football for many years. The debt, according to Hadad, was $48 million at the end of 2019, a TTFA audited financial statement showed.

However, it went up by $20 million to $22 million under the William Wallace-led administration, which took over from David John-Williams on November 24, 2019. Wallace and his three vice presidents - Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillips, and Susan Joseph-Warrick, were removed by FIFA on March 17, 2020, after FIFA visited the TTFA in February to conduct an audit.

Now with a mandate to: run the TTFA'S daily affairs; establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA; to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and to ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress; and to organise and to conduct elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee for a four-year mandate, Hadad said they will have to consider all options available to them, inclusive of mortgaging the Home of Football, but they would rather use it to generate income.

"With respect to who is going to repay this debt, we have put a few offers on the table and we will have to wait to see what guidance we get from FIFA and CONCACAF as to which way to move forward. We will definitely have to borrow this money from some means or look at the Home of Football to see what we could do if we could mortgage it, could we get some of this money from FIFA or CONCACAF, we are discussing that right now," Hadad explained.

He followed: "In addition to that, that is just the superficial plan, we would love to keep the Home of Football going, we would love to get teams in here, training and using the Home of Football, and the facilities around the Home of Football, and that could be a money earner, so we are looking at ways and means of earning money. The other method of earning money would be sponsorships and government assistance."

"We are going to reach out to the government, we have already asked for a meeting with the Minister of Sports Shamfa Cudjoe and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, we have already met with Douglas Camacho from the Sports Company of T&T. We are looking at ways and means of building trust as we are prepared to be transparent as possible so that we can design a way forward and get the association out of where it is," Hadad explained.

Ironically though, Cudjoe in May last year urged the Wallace administration to allow the normalisation committee to take over as mandate by the sport's world governing body, as she said publicly that the government was in no position to bail out the embattled football association from the debt that crippled it.

Cudjoe was also quoted as telling the TTFA that if there's assistance coming from the parent body, concerning dealing with the financial affairs of the association that they should accept it.

The Home of Football is being used as a step-down facility in the government's covid-19 fight since April. The government renovated the facility in Couva to meet the needs of a healthcare facility.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on January 07, 2021, 05:12:02 PM
Hadad tells health ministry: TTFA may need Home of Football soon.
By Narissa Fraser (Newsday).


CHAIRMAN of the TT Football Association’s (TTFA) normalisation committee Robert Hadad is hoping the Home of Football can soon be used for its intended purpose and not as a step-down facility for covid19 patients.

He revealed this in an interview with Newsday on Wednesday afternoon.

The US$2.5 million, 72-room facility in Balmain, Couva was opened in November 2019 by former TTFA president David John-Williams. It was built to serve as a hotel for local and visiting teams.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and other Concacaf and FIFA representatives. There are two training fields, bedrooms, kitchens, balconies, bathrooms, lounges and conference rooms. But it was shut down just one week after it was opened as there was no property insurance and it was uncertified by the Fire Service.

Last April, the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) announced the building would be used as a step-down facility in the fight against the covid19 virus. Back then, Hadad said he applauded the decision. He had said, “We are extremely pleased to assist in the efforts to combat covid19 in any way possible.

“This is for the benefit of our country at this time and we remain committed to the cause.” But with 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers approaching, and with the TTFA eyeing friendlies with Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, Hadad told Newsday the normalisation committee needs to begin discussions with the Health Ministry on regaining access to the facility.

He said, “Yes, we would like to start using it. And when that will happen – I don’t know.

“We obviously have to meet with the Minister of Health, we have to talk to the Minister of National Security and see how possible it is for us to create our own bubble...The intention is to get the Home of Football back to use for the purpose it was intended (for).

But as much as he wishes to regain access to the facility, he said the future of the building remains uncertain as “anything is on the table” to assist the TTFA with its looming $70 million debt.

He said, “Home of Football being mortgaged is on the table, Home of Football being sold is on the table because we definitely need to get money (from) somewhere.

He said, “All we are talking about are the possibilities. We are not sure what path we will take. All of these are just suggestions.”

Newsday tried to contact Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh for a comment but, he said he was in a meeting.

Newsday also contacted senior men’s national football team coach Terry Fenwick who preferred not to comment on the matter.

Former TTFA president William Wallace and his executive – who only spent four months in office – were removed by FIFA and replaced by the normalisation committee last March.

This had led to months of legal battles as they challenged this decision, the TTFA’s suspension by FIFA, and the eventual backing down of Wallace and his team, which saw the suspension lifted.

Hadad said while his tenure as chairman of the normalisation committee has been “overwhelming,” it has not been more than he expected.

Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Flex on January 14, 2021, 02:29:20 AM
Deyalsingh: Decision on Home of Football soon.
By Narissa Fraser (T&T Newsday).


HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said after the ministry re-assesses the parallel healthcare system, it will decide whether the Home of Football in Couva will continue to be used as a step-down facility.

Last week, chairman of the TT Football Association’s (TTFA) normalisation committee Robert Hadad said as 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers near, it may soon need the facility back.

The US$2.5 million facility in Balmain, Couva was opened in November 2019.

Hadad said, “We obviously have to meet with the Minister of Health, we have to talk to the Minister of National Security and see how possible it is for us to create our own bubble...The intention is to get the Home of Football back to use for the purpose it was intended (for).”

But in a virtual press conference on Wednesday morning, Deyalsingh said no formal notification of this had been made yet, but he has “noted the comments in the media.

“(At 1.30 pm) Principal Medical Officer Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards is meeting with me and our disaster management unit, together with the permanent secretary and the Chief Medical Officer (Dr Roshan Parasram) to do a total review of our parallel healthcare system in terms of capacity in case we have to take Home of Football out of the grid…And after that, we should have a response.”

Title: Selling Home of Football could halve TTFA's $98.5m debt
Post by: Tallman on November 11, 2021, 10:56:04 AM
Selling Home of Football could halve TTFA's $98.5m debt
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)

SELLING the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) most prized asset – the Home of Football (HoF) in Couva – could almost halve its disturbing $98.5 million debt.

The HoF has an estimated value of $42.5 million and is now considered an option for re-sale to assist the association in significantly reducing its hefty bill.

This was confirmed in a statement by the normalisation committee (NC) on Monday which revealed its decision to appoint chartered financial analyst Maria Daniel to manage the TTFA’s debt repayment proposal.

The NC said it notified the supervisor of insolvency of its intent to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act which will enable a structured approach to the restructuring of the TTFA and the preparation of a fair, transparent and acceptable payment proposal to address the debt.

After outlining her detailed itinerary to meet with, review and verify the claims of TTFA’s creditors to then implement a payment proposal, the HoF remains a valuable asset on the bargaining table towards TTFA’s financial recovery.

The statement said an independent third-party valuation will be done to determine the total value of TTFA’s assets as it seeks to reduce its massive debt.

“At this stage, all options are on the table; the sale of the Home of Football is definitely an option,” it read.

An article on Inside World Football on October 8, said the deed for the ownership of the land on which the HoF is built (and which FIFA provided grant aid to build), had not been secured in the name of the TTFA from the government.

But Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe on Wednesday cleared the air on the land’s ownership.

“The land is state land which is being leased to TTFA. The lease has not been perfected as yet. The government, as committed, will perfect the lease for the land on which the Home of Football has been built in favour of TTFA. Once perfected the TTFA will be able treat with the asset as they consider appropriate,” Cudjoe said via WhatsApp.

In 2018, then-TTFA president David John-Williams said a US$2.5 million (TT$16.85 million) grant was given to the association to build football’s new home.

The HoF project, he said, was the first fully funded FIFA Forward project — the organisation’s initiative to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development.

The T&T government, however, supplied the TTFA with the 17.5-acre parcel of land on which the facility stands.

With the fraternity’s most prized possession now possibly up for grabs to the highest bidder, Veteran Footballers Foundation president Selby Browne believes it would be a harsh decision to part ways with the association’s most valuable asset.

“I supported John-Williams with the Home of Football because he did it at his own peril. He was abused and labelled for mismanagement but his actions caused the TTFA to have a million-dollar facility, and in reality, the TTFA’s only prized asset more than its 100 years in existence,” Browne said.

Newsday also contacted John-Williams for a comment on the possible sale of the HoF but he respectfully declined to speak on any football-related matters.

Regarding Daniel’s surprise appointment, Browne and United Football Coaches of TT head Jefferson George shared the view that the TTFA’s membership is continually being left in the dark on the NC’s moves to somehow restore the association’s financial competence.

Daniel is also a trustee license-holder under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act  and partner in Transaction Advisory Services of Ernst and Young Services Ltd.

While Browne and George are observing the steps being taken by the NC to begin TTFA’s financial recovery process, the pair of administrators pointed out that this is just the start of an arduous process that would more than likely continue on when the NC’s 24-month reign at the helm of local football comes to an end in March 2022.

The NC was appointed in March last year after TTFA president William Wallace and his executive were removed after a Fifa/Concacaf fact-finding mission revealed, “extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt, have resulted in the TTFA facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity.”

They were replaced by the NC, headed by businessman Robert Hadad, and were tasked with four mandates over the 24-month period.

The NC was now responsible for running TTFA’s daily affairs and establishing a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA.

They were also tasked with reviewing and amending TTFA’s statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and to ensure their compliance with the FIFA statutes and requirements before submitting them for approval to the TTFA congress.

Additionally, to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate.

Nineteen months on, George said the NC has since only covered FIFA’s first mandate of running the association’s daily affairs. Daniel’s sudden inclusion, he says, maybe a bit tardy on the NC’s part.

“Debt repayment would have been one of the main reasons the NC was appointed in March last year. I know there were drawbacks but it’s very late. Now you are coming out at this point not with a solution to the problem but an action to now begin to address it.

“At this late stage, this action now begins a lengthy process and the NC is supposed to be in charge for just over four more months.

“What happens if the creditors do not accept the settlement? There are a lot of things that we still need to get to the bottom of. Nobody thinks this is an easy situation but that’s the job,” he said.

Daniel’s process includes meetings with and the submission of claims (and supporting documents) by all creditors, a review and verification of the claims, and the development of a proposal to deal with the valid outstanding liabilities.

Once the proposal is developed and approved by the creditors, it will be sanctioned by the courts and the NC will implement the proposal in accordance with its terms.

George and Browne, however, think the TTFA membership should at least have been made aware of the NC’s decision to hire Daniel before its public announcement on Monday.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: maxg on November 12, 2021, 12:33:28 AM
Selling Home of Football could halve TTFA's $98.5m debt
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


Back to page 1.  Centre of Excellence, Home of Football..How about for the next funding throw way and mess  ahmm ahmm ......National Elite Xeric Training  Centre (united national tacticians and soccer schools)
Nextc**tss

smh.. Can barely maintain, but we can build. Spoke to the maintenance crew at CCCan last year. 4 ppl to do cleaning the whole pool building during and after events, 2 guys and 2 girls. They had to lift and carry the garbage over 500 yards away. I counted 8 administrators in the office, awaiting questions and to provide service. Build. how the Lara build going.
ps: the maintenance staff and security personnel did and wanted to say more, but asked me to keep things on the low, as they were afraid of losing their jobs. I already gave the story about the police checkpoint .

ref: http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=1508.msg975722#msg975722
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Bourbon on November 14, 2021, 05:16:21 AM
So.......given that its leased land...and the lease isnt perfected yet......somebody would buy the building and lease the land?
 :banginghead:

Title: Home of Football marks second anniversary
Post by: Tallman on November 19, 2021, 08:02:31 AM
Home of Football marks second anniversary
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)


THREE times in the past three decades, mid-November has marked a significant moment in the history of Trinidad and Tobago football.

On November 19, 1989, tears flowed at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain as the Strike Squad missed out on qualification for the 1990 Italy World Cup after losing to the US 1-0. The Strike Squad needed at least a draw.

Sixteen years later, on November 16, 2005, there were tears again, but on this occasion tears of joy, after a header from Dennis Lawrence gave the Soca Warriors a 1-0 win over Bahrain which clinched a spot for this country at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. It’s still the only time T&T have qualified for the World Cup.

Fast-forward 14 years to November 18, 2019, and the Home of Football in Couva was opened in what could be described as a lavish opening.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the Prime Minister, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and then president of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) David John-Williams were all there.

The facility which was the first of its kind in T&T. The Home of Football, funded through FIFA’s Forward Programme, includes a 72-room hotel aimed to allow the T&TFA to become self-sustainable. It is also intended to develop the next generation of T&T’s footballers as it is equipped with multiple training fields.

FIFA pumped US$2.5 million into it, but it was a collaborative effort with the Government, Concacaf and the TTFA. The Government provided the land.

In the months before it opened the Home of Football was buzzing with site visits.

In January 2019, a team of UEFA officials visited to help guide the operations. The facility was opened just six days before the TTFA’s annual general meeting on November 24, 2019.

Despite the elaborate opening, John-Williams lost the elections to William Wallace.

Four months later, in March 2020, FIFA removed the TTFA and appointed a normalisation committee, led by businessman Robert Hadad, to run local football. The world governing body cited reasons why it took the decision to disband the local football association, naming a huge debt as one reason. Was the opening of the Home of Football a political move before the TTFA elections? When it opened, was FIFA already planning to disband the TTFA?

A wasted asset?

Since it opened, the Home of Football has been underutilised, for a number of reasons. A week after the opening, new TTFA president Wallace shut it down because approvals were still pending and the property had no insurance.

“We found out some of the approvals are not in place, for example, fire approvals. You can’t have people in a building without fire approval,” Wallace told Newsday in November 2019. Wallace was contacted for a comment but he declined. The building is now fit to use. Though deemed unfit at the time, it was able successfully to host the Caribbean Football Union Girls Under-14 Challenge series at the end of October 2019, just weeks before the official opening. Approximately 150 girls stayed there for the tournament.

Two weeks later, the Anguilla men’s senior football team stayed there for a match against the Soca Warriors on November 10.

When the normalisation committee took over in March 2020, the covid19 pandemic started to affect T&T, bringing sport to a halt. The Home of Football was used during the pandemic, but not for footballers to battle on the field. It was used as a step-down facility for recovering patients. Hadad was happy that local football could do its part to battle the virus.

The original vision

The ribbon was cut on November 18, 2019 to open the Home of Football, but planning for a similar facility kicked off in 2015.

Brent Sancho, former minister of sport and youth affairs under the PP government, said former president of the TTFA Raymond Tim Kee approached him with the idea.

“A lot of people would not know that this idea and concept was under (the) deceased Raymond Tim Kee.”

Sancho said discussions were held and building the facility in Marabella was the target.

Shortly after preliminary talks were held the PNM won the general election in September 2015 and Sancho was no longer Minister of Sport.

In November, 2015 John-Williams replaced Tim Kee and a new vision was established.

“From where that (facility) was from inception and the idea for it to where it ended up being, I think that is where the travesty is in it. I don’t want to just look at it as the two-year anniversary of a deplorable building. I think we have to understand the entire context of what it is and where it came from,” Sancho said.

During the project, TTFA board members called on John-Williams and the TTFA executive to be open and transparent about the details of the project, including contracts.

“I think at the end of the day, for the T&T Football Association to own something is extremely important and it goes well within FIFA’s aim, it goes well within football’s aim,” Sancho said.

Home of Football for sale?

Now the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee is considering selling the Home of Football to help reduce a huge debt of $98.5 million, which has increased over past administrations. It has an estimated value of $42.5 million.

Sancho does not think the Home of Football can be sold without dialogue with the TTFA membership.

“First of all, it is a very unfortunate statement (that they are thinking of selling it) and a surprising one as well. I am not an accountant and certainly not a legal expert, but I do know that within our constitution, these things have to pass by the membership, and from where I sit, as being a member, of course you would not want that to happen.”

Sancho, a member of T&T’s 2006 World Cup team, said the problems in T&T football are everyone’s problems.

“However, let me be very clear that at the end of the day the problems in football have been caused by football. There is no one in football should look at it and think it’s ‘their’ problem, or a ‘he’ problem or a ‘she’ problem.”

Sancho said the debt was caused by “horrific decisions” spanning several years.

The Home of Football is a crucial pillar in developing football in T&T, he said.

“I do hope that the selling of the Home of Football is not an option, and other means and ways can be found to solve this problem (of debt).”

‘Most significant vision in T&T football’

TTFA member Selby Browne is an advocate for the Home of Football.

“It’s the most significant vision and investment in the history of T&T football,” Browne said.

Browne said in the 110-year history of the TTFA there has been no such asset or facility. He praised John-Williams for pursuing the venture of developing the facility.

Reflecting on what John-Williams had to endure, Browne said he was “severely criticised” over the project. But Browne said John-Williams aimed to create revenue for the TTFA, which was struggling financially.

“Before coming into office in November 2015 the total assets of the TTFA was approximately $180,000. At the AGM in November, 2019 the assets were estimated at $100 million.”

Browne recalled the opening of the Home of Football, which John-Williams worked to get off the ground.

“Two years ago that facility was opened by no less a person than the Prime Minister of T&T, the president of FIFA and the president of the Concacaf. It demonstrated to all the membership that the full support of these three gentlemen was in place for the well-being and further development of the TTFA.”

Couva has become a hub for sport in T&T, as multiple venues, many of international standard, have been built in the community. The National Cycling Velodrome, the National Aquatic Centre, the National Cricket Centre and the Home of Football, which includes the Ato Boldon Stadium, are all in walking distance.

Browne said all national athletes could stay at the Home of Football and train at any of the nearby facilities.

Revenue can also be earned through Carnival events.

“If people don’t understand the value of that property I wish them well…that is the sporting campus of T&T. All national teams could come there and train.”

Asked how he feels that the Home of Football may be sold, Browne said, “If there is any decision to sell the Home of Football there are those of us among the membership of the TTFA who would purchase that property.”

Unanswered questions

When Newsday contacted John-Williams, he chose not to comment on the record.

In multiple interviews over the years, John-Williams has repeatedly spoken about ensuring the TTFA has assets.

In an interview on TV6 back in 2018, John-Williams said the TTFA has to “create a business model that is going to allow T&T football to be self-sustainable.”

Newsday was not successful in contacting Dr Rowley or Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh for a comment. The health minister was contacted because the Home of Football was used in the battle against covid19 – one of the few times the facility was used. Deyalsingh was asked in a WhatsApp message what he thought of its quality .

On Monday, Newsday sent questions to FIFA about the Home of Football’s lack of use over the past two years. However, up to press time, FIFA had not responded to any of Newsday’s questions. The following are the questions sent to FIFA:

“As a contributor how does it feel to see the facility underutilised during the past two years? (I am aware the covid19 pandemic has greatly affected TT since March 2020).

“The normalisation committee (now in charge of TT football) is considering selling the Home of Football to help reduce the TT Football Association (TTFA) debt. Are you concerned that all the money FIFA invested will go to waste?”

Newsday also asked, “Do you hope that the TTFA will be able to use the facility in the future to become self-sufficient? How important is it for footballing nations to become self-sufficient and not depend on FIFA?”
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on November 19, 2021, 11:02:04 AM
Sell it to who? And on the cheap?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: socalion on November 19, 2021, 06:05:59 PM
Selling the home of football should not even be mentioned as a consideration for the current debt crisis facing the ttfa ........ Exclude that idea , let NC  find other means in order to address the current debt .... The home of football must be kept  for the purposes it was meant for full stop !
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on November 20, 2021, 05:53:50 PM
In recent months, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Cycling Federation in particular, has made significant steps toward finally realising a future that includes sport tourism.

But at least one administrator holds the view that it requires a more cohesive approach – one that focuses on the needs of the collective rather than the individual ambitions of any one National Sporting Organisation.

To this end, Mr. Lewis says the Home of Football and its 72-room hotel should be considered integral to making the Couva facility cluster the centre of this country’s Sport Tourism ambitions.

The facility has been mired in controversy since its construction, but Lewis hopes that, alongside transparency, good sense will prevail.

https://www.youtube.com/v/19VoyHSkiuA
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Tallman on November 22, 2021, 07:43:53 PM
Olympic Committee head Lewis: TTFA should hold on to Home of Football
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


NATIONAL Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis disagrees that the Home of Football (HoF) in Couva should be sold to offset a large chunk of the T&T Football Association’s (TTFA) harrowing $98.5 million debt.

A statement issued by the normalisation committee last week confirmed selling the HoF remains a possible option to aid TTFA’s financial recovery.

Lewis, however, thinks auctioning off the organisation’s most prized asset is a detrimental move. The HoF has an estimated value of over $42 million, but the land it was built on belongs to the government.

Selling the facility could almost halve the TTFA’s massive debt.

Lewis though, believes the HoF should not be used as payment as a result of years of financial mismanagement of the local football administration.

“When you look at it from a medium- to long-term perspective, I think every effort should be made for the TTFA to hold on to that asset.

“At the end of the day, owning assets is important. In this regard, every effort should be made. It’s a bit concerning, the talk about the sale of the HoF,” he said.

The HoF is surrounded by four of Trinidad’s major sporting facilities – the Ato Boldon Stadium, National Cricket Centre, National Aquatic Centre and National Cycling Centre.

The cycling arena is in the process of transitioning into a satellite centre – a special training hub for athletes coming from developing countries that will host training camps to nurture young athletes and help develop cycling in the region.

Sessions, athletes and coaches involved will follow a UCI-sanctioned programme. Cyclists will benefit from modern training schedules and tactics to help them reach world-class standards.

Both the cycling and swimming facilities were also constructed for foreign-based athletes to come to Trinidad to train and compete and by extension, to become self-sustainable.

Additionally, T&T was set to host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games in August, but owing to the pandemic, the event has been postponed to a date yet to be announced. It remains uncertain if T&T will retain its rights to host it.

Lewis added, “When we were having conversations with the Commonwealth Youth Games, the HoF, as an accommodation option, was factored in.

“(In) any conversation we’re having about sport tourism, and even conversations taking place with the local cycling federation, International Cycling Union, Sport Company of T&T and the T&T Olympic Committee, the HoF serves to provide accommodation for athletes using these facilities during competition. So the HoF is well placed.

“In that area, you will not only have a top-notch cycling centre but also a world-class swimming centre, and efforts can also be made to get that certified as a regional or continental centre of excellence.”

Lewis said the location of the HoF is important and believes it can generate income through sport tourism.

“Football should hold on to this asset, which, down the road, can generate sustainable revenue and income.

“Notwithstanding the TTFA’s current challenges and difficulties, people have to see it in the bigger picture.”

The HoF has 72 rooms, including double rooms and suites each fully equipped with Wi-Fi and television, as well as a conference room, cafeteria, medical room and team dining rooms.

A secondary building houses two dormitories, a main kitchen, dining room, changing rooms, laundry room and additional sleeping quarters for coaches. There are also three full-sized natural grass pitches.

On November 19, 2019, the HoF was opened by then-TTFA president David John-Williams.

Guests included the Prime Minister, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and former French international Youri Djorkaeff.
Title: Veteran administrator Sirjuesingh against HOF sale
Post by: Tallman on November 25, 2021, 12:07:29 PM
Veteran administrator Sirjuesingh against HOF sale
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)


General secretary of Central Football Association (CFA) Lennox Sirjuesingh is vehemently against the sale of the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva and described it as short-sightedness.

Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, has said on several occasions that the sale of the Home of Football is an option to clear a debt, which has crippled T&T football for the past years.

The debt now stands at $98.5 million, according to Sirjuesingh in a release: "The suggestion and availability for sale of the HOF as a means of liquidating the TTFA reported $ 98.5 million debt is certainly short-sighted and of serious concern to me. Efforts must be made to save the HOF for its original purpose.

"It is to be seen as an achievement and legacy, something of possibly first, certainly for a small country. "

The veteran administrator knows the sport of football and its administration very well, having served in football since 1964 as an administrator. Later in 1967, Sirjuesingh became a T&T referee and from 1973-1978 served as the secretary of the Football Referees Association.

Sirjuesingh later became a FIFA referee in 1977 before serving as assistant secretary of the T&T Football Association under then general secretary Richard Groden. Having held the position of secretary of the CFA from 2005- 2010, Sirjuesingh is now back at the CFA as general secretary.

He believes consultation can be the solution to liquidating the TTFA debt.

"The purported sale, if it were to become reality, will satisfy an immediate need no doubt. Looking down the road and the well-established viability of real estate, one is led to think serious thinking is needed here.

"An evaluation of the prospective price of that property in a few years, I am certain, will see selling it off today as having been bad business which we will live to regret when in a few years the area shall be converted to its potential via its strategic position."

He noted further: "The quite obvious question is - What does the TTFA do in the short or immediate term?" Brainstorming is likely to produce a solution. I do have a suggestion and I'm willing to discuss it with the relevant authorities. Likewise, others will come up with ideas that are attainable and advisable.

"For now, please T&T let us see HOF as an achievement to be appreciated, preserved, monitored, improved and become a legacy."
Title: Senior footballers oppose possible Home of Football sale
Post by: Tallman on November 26, 2021, 11:51:26 AM
Senior footballers oppose possible Home of Football sale
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


Senior national footballers have expressed grave concern about the potential sale of the Home of Football (HoF) to help offset the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) $98.5 million debt.

Defender Daneil Cyrus, midfielder Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings and another seasoned senior men’s player who requested anonymity questioned the feasibility of such a sale, considering the HoF is the local association’s most prized asset, valued at over $42 million.

These three players have all stayed or overnighted there in preparation for national duty, and were able to use the HoF’s amenities and accommodations on several occasions.

Two weeks ago, however, the normalisation committee – appointed by FIFA in March 2020 to run TTFA’s daily affairs and establish a debt-repayment plan – said the potential sale of the HoF is a viable option to reduce its arrears.

This idea has been shunned by several sportsmen and women and administrators, including TT Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis, who believe the HoF serves to benefit all sports and is an integral part of Couva’s hub of elite sporting venues.

Cyrus, who is in Thailand playing for club Chainat Hornbill, said, “I think it’s a bad idea because if the HoF is sold, the TTFA would have to pay hotels for the teams (foreign and local) to stay in. From my experience, that’s a bad idea because hotels complained in the past that TTFA owed them money and so on.

“If they cannot pay, then why go into more debt? That’s a no-no. But that’s my point of view, I could be wrong.”

Cyrus said the rooms were good but the facility was still “missing a few things” which made the structure somewhat incomplete.

If the only venue equipped to house footballers without charge is sold, then hoteliers would inevitably reap the benefits of TTFA’s financial mismanagement and possible HoF sale, he added.

“It was good to be honest, the rooms were ok. I think it’s good to hold onto it, and it's saving money, I think.

“So much money was spent to build it and now players would still have to use hotels? And even if you sell ,how much debt that money could cover?”

Cummings shared similar sentiments and does not believe putting the HoF up for sale is a progressive move.

While he understands TTFA’s financial detriment, the former North East Stars, San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection player, like Lewis, believes the facility can also be used to house foreign athletes who come to train at the nearby National Cycling Centre and National Aquatic Centre.

Both the swimming and cycling centres, the Ato Boldon Stadium and National Cricket Centre were built in the same area. Altogether, these respective locations make up a nexus of elite sporting venues for athletics, football, swimming, cycling and cricket.

Cummings said, “It shows you how the people in charge of football have been mismanaging.

“How could the option be to sell something that was built to develop the sport and young players? I don’t see it. It’s a backward step because now players would have to go to hotels.”

During his stay at the HoF, Cummings, said there was little in-house maintenance, and it is in need of regular upkeep if it is to maintain a high standard to house both local and international athletes and staff.

The 33-year-old added, “If the HoF is not maintained, it will run itself into the ground. If we sell the HoF, then we might just go back to using excuses that we cannot prepare for tournaments properly because we have no headquarters.

“Everyone who comes into power (TTFA) comes with a different eye for the whole sport and it keeps going downhill. In the past, when wehad no facility, we owed the majority of hotels. Do we want to go back to that? How can you sell your house and then stay outside? It just doesn’t make sense.”

The senior national who chose to remain anonymous said the facility could be used to benefit not only senior players, but the upcoming generation of national footballers.

He said, “The structure itself certainly has some curious design features and the workmanship is shoddy. It seems like they were in a rush to complete it.

“But overall, whilst the amenities aren't super-luxurious, they are fit for purposes such as hosting a football-camp-type scenario.

"As with any facility, maintenance is key. It’s clearly an administrative and financial matter, and I’m just a player. But it’s obvious the HoF would benefit players and TT football if such a facility is fully utilised.”
Title: Re: Senior footballers oppose possible Home of Football sale
Post by: asylumseeker on November 26, 2021, 02:03:04 PM
Senior footballers oppose possible Home of Football sale
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday)


Senior national footballers have expressed grave concern about the potential sale of the Home of Football (HoF) to help offset the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) $98.5 million debt.

Defender Daneil Cyrus, midfielder Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings and another seasoned senior men’s player who requested anonymity questioned the feasibility of such a sale, considering the HoF is the local association’s most prized asset, valued at over $42 million.

These three players have all stayed or overnighted there in preparation for national duty, and were able to use the HoF’s amenities and accommodations on several occasions.

Two weeks ago, however, the normalisation committee – appointed by FIFA in March 2020 to run TTFA’s daily affairs and establish a debt-repayment plan – said the potential sale of the HoF is a viable option to reduce its arrears.

This idea has been shunned by several sportsmen and women and administrators, including TT Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis, who believe the HoF serves to benefit all sports and is an integral part of Couva’s hub of elite sporting venues.

Cyrus, who is in Thailand playing for club Chainat Hornbill, said, “I think it’s a bad idea because if the HoF is sold, the TTFA would have to pay hotels for the teams (foreign and local) to stay in. From my experience, that’s a bad idea because hotels complained in the past that TTFA owed them money and so on.

“If they cannot pay, then why go into more debt? That’s a no-no. But that’s my point of view, I could be wrong.”

Cyrus said the rooms were good but the facility was still “missing a few things” which made the structure somewhat incomplete.

If the only venue equipped to house footballers without charge is sold, then hoteliers would inevitably reap the benefits of TTFA’s financial mismanagement and possible HoF sale, he added.

“It was good to be honest, the rooms were ok. I think it’s good to hold onto it, and it's saving money, I think.

“So much money was spent to build it and now players would still have to use hotels? And even if you sell ,how much debt that money could cover?”

Cummings shared similar sentiments and does not believe putting the HoF up for sale is a progressive move.

While he understands TTFA’s financial detriment, the former North East Stars, San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection player, like Lewis, believes the facility can also be used to house foreign athletes who come to train at the nearby National Cycling Centre and National Aquatic Centre.

Both the swimming and cycling centres, the Ato Boldon Stadium and National Cricket Centre were built in the same area. Altogether, these respective locations make up a nexus of elite sporting venues for athletics, football, swimming, cycling and cricket.

Cummings said, “It shows you how the people in charge of football have been mismanaging.

“How could the option be to sell something that was built to develop the sport and young players? I don’t see it. It’s a backward step because now players would have to go to hotels.”

During his stay at the HoF, Cummings, said there was little in-house maintenance, and it is in need of regular upkeep if it is to maintain a high standard to house both local and international athletes and staff.

The 33-year-old added, “If the HoF is not maintained, it will run itself into the ground. If we sell the HoF, then we might just go back to using excuses that we cannot prepare for tournaments properly because we have no headquarters.

“Everyone who comes into power (TTFA) comes with a different eye for the whole sport and it keeps going downhill. In the past, when we had no facility, we owed the majority of hotels. Do we want to go back to that? How can you sell your house and then stay outside? It just doesn’t make sense.”

The senior national who chose to remain anonymous said the facility could be used to benefit not only senior players, but the upcoming generation of national footballers.

He said, “The structure itself certainly has some curious design features and the workmanship is shoddy. It seems like they were in a rush to complete it.

“But overall, whilst the amenities aren't super-luxurious, they are fit for purposes such as hosting a football-camp-type scenario.[/b]

"As with any facility, maintenance is key. It’s clearly an administrative and financial matter, and I’m just a player. But it’s obvious the HoF would benefit players and TT football if such a facility is fully utilised.”

Rushed out of self-serving convenience. Doh bite yuh tongue.

The HoF is about as integral to T&T's football prospects as the allegedly corrupt construction of the Piarco airport has been instructive or determinative in generating a well-conceived tourism product in Trinidad and Tobago. Both are shoddy ventures with shoddy outcomes.

However, the public purse bit the bullet on the airport and looks set to take a bite of the HoF bullet if sentiment is the prevailing logic. Same outcome as when we make policy out of nostalgia.

It's curious that all these articles about the HoF are generating comment from all and sundry but none I have seen have solicited the opinion of the guru who ploughed ahead with its construction, hellbent on progress.

Here we are at the gates of hell, insufficiently progressed and bawling doh touch the incomplete ode to incompetence. Just like the airport, the HoF had a lowest common denominator in mind: get across the finish line.

Stuff of a Paradise Lost Never Found.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: Deeks on November 26, 2021, 06:54:31 PM
but none I have seen have solicited the opinion of the guru who ploughed ahead with its construction, hellbent on progress.

Do you expect DJW to talk to anyone now on the construction of the HOF?
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: asylumseeker on November 26, 2021, 10:54:45 PM
but none I have seen have solicited the opinion of the guru who ploughed ahead with its construction, hellbent on progress.

Do you expect DJW to talk to anyone now on the construction of the HOF?

Isn't he proud of the product? And ent he touted it as a legacy project? And ent selling it runs up against the legacy ... I figure he would want to deliver a 'fullness' regarding the NC's proposed interruption of that legacy and the sweat put in.

By the way, where Mark Bassant? Since he made the big golf course unveil and ambush, like he lost his way? After de big guffaw, must be fake news?

Ah know what yuh mean doh. He doh have much incentive to speak publicly on the matter.
Title: Re: Home of Football Thread
Post by: ABTrini on November 27, 2021, 08:26:19 AM
What does it profit ah man if he going thr HoF? It appears each TTFA  believes that a monument to their legacy could also fill gaps in their lockets-

Please let's not see the HoF follow the same fate as the Centre of Excellence - these should be public institutions  not private ventures  for those seeking to profit from football in TnT
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