SPORTT split on funding for PM's son

[dcs]

SPORTT split on PM’s son

By Irene Medina
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday
Tuesday, June 19 2007

Brian Manning’s $9M proposal for funding to run a professional basketball league has been handed to the Sports Ministry for final approval before it goes to Cabinet, which is headed by his father Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

But while the Sports Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Ashwyn Creed and chairman of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) Gerard Ferreira confirmed that Brian Manning’s plan is one step closer to going before Cabinet, the situation has caused some dissension within SPORTT. Several SPORTT members want to know when did the SPORTT Board approve the Brian Manning plan.

Some officials told Newsday that the proposal was to have come before the Board last week, but the meeting was postponed to tomorrow.

But yesterday Creed confirmed that the proposal is already in the hands of the Sports Ministry for Cabinet to approve. “It has already been handed in to the Ministry”, but, he said, “there are certain areas that need to be revisited before any approach can be made to the Cabinet.”

Creed said once these areas are attended too the proposal will be sent to Cabinet.

Newsday has learnt that a business plan which is supposed to accompany the proposal was not attached.

The issue of funding for the PM’s son’s basketball league was first raised about two weeks ago in the Senate, by UNC Senator Wade Mark. Ferreira at the time slammed Mark’s “irresponsible” statements, saying that no approval for funding had been given by the Board.

But yesterday Ferreira said there was no need for the Board to meet tomorrow, since the “SPORTT company had already approved the proposal in principle and sent it on to the Ministry.”

He said this took place last week Monday, “so there was nothing else to discuss Wednesday.”

All requests for funding must be made through and approved by SPORTT which was launched in 2004, under the aegis of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to assist in the development of ten sporting disciplines which include basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, cycling and volleyball.

Yesterday, officials at SPORTT were questioning how come the proposal by the 23-year-old Manning to run his National Professional Basketball League (NPBL) was approved when, as far as they were aware, the Board had not met.

Asked about this latest development yesterday, Manning said, “I have no idea what is happening.” He said nobody has said anything to him about the status of the proposal.

But, responding the Creed’s claim that the proposal needed to be “revisited” Manning said “as far as I know I have satisfied every requirement, submitted everything as requested but I have not heard anything from anyone.”

Sources at the Sports Ministry say the current situation is causing concern.

Manning has played basketball at school, community and zonal levels, including the Super Ten tournament and represented TT at the national Under 23 level.

Manning, who also has an undergraduate degree in information systems management with a minor in business studies and a MBA in marketing and international business, says he is “challenging anyone to point out someone, more managerially qualified than I am in local basketball.”

[dcs]

Value of transparency
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday
Saturday, June 23 2007

Sports Minister Roger Boynes is quite right when he says that Brian Manning has a right to seek funding for any sports initiative. The younger Manning has applied for $9 million to set up a professional basketball league. But since Brian is the son of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, any contract given to him will be seen as nepotistic. And a large part of the blame for that must be laid at the feet of PNM administrations past and present.

Under the Eric Williams regime, corruption became a byword. The DC-9, Caroni Racing Complex, and Mount Hope hospital scandals were only the most overt. At the grassroots level, there was the creation of DEWD as a device to keep party supporters loyal with a “ten days”, and the favouritism of the National Housing Authority which always managed to provide houses to persons with PNM party cards. So the PNM created the culture where family and friends were favoured for the largesse of the State. Even more importantly, the PNM regime undermined those bodies responsible for ensuring all citizens were treated fairly, such as the Service Commissions and Tenders Board and various State companies, by appointing party hacks to these organisations. And the nation had to wait for the coming of the NAR for the expansion of the country’s electronic media, while it was the UNC administration which passed a Freedom of Information Act.

Although Mr Manning has attempted to battle corruption and change his party’s image, the PNM predilections remain strong. This has been shown by the undermining of the FOI Act and the attempt to pass a Judicial Review Bill which would make it impossible for citizens to bring public action suits against the State in any matter where they are not directly affected. Moreover, the Manning administration has now had three court rulings against it relating to interference in State agencies, in the Marlene Coudray transfer, the Devant Maharaj promotion, and the Maha Sabha radio licence application. And Mr Manning himself has made personal interventions which reinforce the perception of using his position to benefit those close to him, from calling a police station when his chauffeur was arrested, to appointing his wife as Education Minister.

The upshot is that the PNM has made no serious attempt to reform the procedures by which the State treats citizens, especially in relation to Government contracts.

Indeed, the Manning administration has even taken the step of creating State-funded companies, supposedly in the name of efficiency, which can now escape official scrutiny in how they get and dispense funds.

If our political culture were such that procedures were transparent and based on rigorous criteria, then, although the Opposition would still hurl their accusations, any success the young Manning had in his application could be defended on concrete grounds. In this particular case, however, there is already confusion over who has authority to approve the application.

In such an environment, there is no way that Brian Manning can get State funding, no matter how worthy his proposal, without being seen to be a beneficiary of his father’s position. But, if he finds himself unable to pursue this project free of controversy, he can legitimately say that this is Daddy’s fault.

[dcs]

$16,000 salary for PM’s son
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday
Wednesday, June 27 2007

THE CONTROVERSIAL National Professional Basketball League headed by Brian Manning — son of Prime Minister Patrick Manning — seems set to proceed as planned with full approval for State funding expected anytime soon.

As such, ten teams including one from the sister Isle, have already been drafted to compete after the grand opening of the league on September 1. The league’s Bye Laws and Operations Guidelines, a copy of which was sent to Newsday, reveals that Manning (B) will be paid a monthly salary of $16,000 in his capacity as league commissioner.

At a press conference yesterday at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Manning (B) revealed his application is still undergoing final inspection from the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) before money is handed over for the September 1 start of the league.

June Rogers — vice president of Communications and Marketing at the National Basketball Federation made it clear the league has received its approval for the specified three-month duration.

She told Newsday the federation sees the competition as necessary since it focuses on growth and development of the sport. However she was quick to add that the matter surrounding the sponsorship of the tournament was solely in the hands of the organisation and proper procedure was followed.

Manning is expected to received a whopping $3 million each year for the next three years to stage the competition — which will carry a winner’s cheque of $100,000 and a runner-up prize of $75,000.

The third and fourth placed teams will each walk away with $20,000 while special cash prizes will be given for MVP of league and play-offs. Monetary incentives will also be given for most disciplined team, scoring champ, rebounds and assists. In addition each team will receive a monthly fee of $34, 000 which will cover salaries for managers, coaches and players.

The league Bye Laws and Operations Guidelines gave a breakdown of the competition which shows the deputy commissioner/secretary Albert Lee Young will be paid $10,000 monthly while the office manager will receive $7,500 and the Administrative Assistant - $4,500.

The league was mired in controversy when UNC Senator Wade Mark described funding for the league as a conflict of interest.

Brian Manning has applied for $9M in funding to run the league. Manning (B) described recent media reports about his league as inaccurate and stressed that in the interest of transparency and accountability there was a need to give an update on his application following consideration by the Sport Company, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and other relevant authorities.

He said his association is a non-governmental organisation which, for the first time in TT, will look after both the development and marketing of local basketball talent. Manning noted that the competition will create job opportunities for 200 young men and women.

[Flex]

‘THIS SERIOUS’
By Andre Bagoo (Newsday).
Tuesday, December 16 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Bourbon]

Some interesting things here.

‘THIS SERIOUS’
By Andre Bagoo (Newsday).
Tuesday, December 16 2014


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

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

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

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

“The initial locations of the cycling and swimming centres were changed to Couva,” the Report, dated November 28, 2014, states. “At the time of this Report, construction is underway in Couva, although the land acquisition aspect has not been finalised. Construction works on all three facilities are on-going with an expected completion date of May 2015.” (So if the land aquisition not finalised....how come construction underway? That means the cost likely to increase more?)

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



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

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


The Auditor General also found that a total of $411 million was spent from 2009 to 2013 on sporting facilities meant to provide “sport for all”, but that purported goal has not been achieved. The auditors also said Sportt is now managing $2.3 billion in projects, but has no sound means of measuring progress on its objectives, gaps in records and has committed reporting breaches.
 
The Report also examines the development and construction of three multi-purpose facilities planned. It notes that in April 2005, approval was granted for the development and construction of three multi-purpose facilities at a total cost of $51 million.

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

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

[Bakes]

Whatever happened to the proposed professional basketball league?  Just now paying attention to this... $16,000 TTD is no setta big money to ask for.  I think people was just mad it was Manning son and that he was only 23.  It probably didn't help that he seemed born with his father's same... 'confidence.'

[Flex]

Time for sporting overhaul in T&T.
By Andre Baptise (Guardian).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Flex]

Ministry orders review of SPORTT audit
By ANDRE BAGOO (Newsday).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Flex]

Chinese delegation tours sport facilities
T&T Express Reports.
 
 The General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China paid a courtesy call on Sport Minister Dr Rupert Griffith, Minister of Sport, and his Executive team from the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago. A part of this visit also includes a tour of the following mega sporting facilities which are being constructed by SporTT, namely the National Aquatic Centre, National Cycle Centre and National Tennis Centre.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Flex]

Achieving value for sporting facilities.
Anand Rampersad (Guardian).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

[Deeks]

This has to be  the natatorium, not the velodrome!

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Sportt concedes - Main defence against 18 ex-workers crashes.
By Derek Achong (Guardian).

The Sport Company of T&T (Sportt) has to fork out over $5 million to compensate 18 former employees who were unfairly fired amid allegations of financial mismanagement within the company.

The State-owned special purpose company has been locked in legal battles in the Industrial Court with the former employees, many of whom were fired prior to a restructuring exercise which commenced in early 2011.

Sportt has now been forced to concede defeat in almost all of the lawsuits after its main defence—that its actions were justified —failed to succeed when it opted to contest the case in a trial before three Industrial Court Judges in 2012.

In addition to being required to compensate the former employees for their monthly salaries for the remainder of their contracts, Sportt was also ordered to pay some of them their contractual gratuities calculated at 20 per cent of their gross salary during the period of employment. In some of the cases it was also forced to pay exemplary damages for the possible implications to the workers’ future employment prospects because they were fired amid serious allegations of poor management within the company.

The most recent lawsuit was determined by the court last Monday, with Sportt’s former executive facilities manager Sherlan Cabralis receiving $434,899 in damages.

In her claim, Cabralis had alleged she was fired in June 2009 with almost a year left on her contact, after she was informed by the company’s board that it was investigating her involvement in the renovations at its headquarters at Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.

Most of the former employees before the court were part of the 107 who were fired three days after the restructuring exercise was announced during a special staff meeting at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain, on January 7, 2011.

Senior manager Charles Branche was among the batch who were terminated following of the meeting. Last July, the court awarded him $1,083,024—the highest compensation package thus far.

$90,000 for 3 hours work

One of the most intriguing cases involved Sue Ellen Rajnauth-Williams, who was hired as an administrative assistant in June 2010 but was told her services were no longer required after a mere three hours on the job. She has since been awarded $90,000.

In all of the lawsuits, filed by three major trade unions representing the workers, the unions claimed that the company was “harsh and oppressive” in firing them without giving them detailed reasons or a fair opportunity to be heard. The unions also claimed that Sportt’s entire management of the exercise was contrary to good industrial relations practice.

The company was represented by attorney Larry Williams while Anthony Bullock appeared for the Banking Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU), which represented the majority of the employees.

There are still a handful of cases still before the court and a yet to be settled or determined. However, legal sources said the they will most likely end in a similar fashion to those already determined.

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Judge stops complex
By JADA LOUTOO (Newsday)

A HIGH COURT judge has quashed the decision of the Minister of Town and Country Planning to grant permission to the Sport Company of TT (SPORTT) to construct a sporting complex at the Orange Grove Savannah in Tacarigua.

In a 70-page ruling yesterday, Justice Ricky Rahim found that the minister breached his duty under Sections 6 and 7 of the Town and Country Planning Act to take steps to amend the national development plan as it related to the Orange Grove Savannah. The judge also found that the decision of the minister to grant permission to TT (SPORTT) to develop the lands was in breach of natural justice and was void and of no effect. “It is manifestly clear that there was no consultation with those affected,” the judge said in his ruling in favour of a group of Tacarigua residents, including two sporting clubs, which have used the savannah for decades.

“If anything these claimants are the ones to be most affected by the construction more than perhaps any other as they have had continuous and undisturbed use of the grounds over many years,” Justice Rahim said. It was an emotional end to the three-year fight by the residents. Public relations officer of the Save Our Orange Grove Savannah lobby group, Dr Carol James admitted to Newsday it was an emotional battle. As she was embraced by the scores of residents - some of whom wept after the ruling was delivered in the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain - James said the fight for the ‘green space’ was done for the families who for generations come together at the savannah.

“It is our space and we want to keep our space for our children,” she said.

The residents filed legal action after they were informed of the decision to construct the Eddie Hart Regional Sporting Complex, a multipurpose sporting complex, which would have featured a 25 metre swimming pool, cricket ground, football field, pavilion and 400 metre running track.

They complained that there was no full disclosure as to the scope of the project and that the SPORTT application, dated August 26, 2013, to the Town and Country Planning Division had been granted on September 25, 2013.

Their attorney, Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein submitted at the trial before Justice Rahim that the residents and the Ulric ‘Buggy’ Haynes Coaching School and the Dinsley Cricket Club, would be adversely affected if the planned sporting complex was constructed as they would no longer have access to the green space.

Hosein accused the executive of not adhering to the statutory provisions of the Town and Country Act which mandates that a National Physical Development Plan be submitted to Parliament, along with surveys, every five years.

He said the plan was important to ensure there was consistency and continuity as it related to how land was developed.”You cannot run a country without a development plan,” he argued, adding that, “The State has not satisfied its duty imposed by Parliament.”

In ruling in the residents’ favour, Justice Rahim found that there was a breach of duty on the part of the minister to update the national plan.

The judge ordered that minister reconsider the SPORTT’s application in a ‘procedurally fair manner and specifically after genuine consultation’ with the residents and other affected members of the public.

In his ruling, the judge said that the minister was aware of the public objection to the proposed construction but deprived the residents of the opportunity granted to them by statute to object or make representation as it related to the effect that the sporting complex would have on their daily activities.

“There was a duty on the minister to act fairly when considering the application for planning permission. Consultation is not only about objections but also about representations to arrive at the best possible plan which would benefit the various interests in the community and at the same time give effect to the government’s intention,” the judge said.

He also pointed out the former minister of sport, who, when approached by cricket clubs’ executive, declared that the sporting complex “can’t be stopped, it wouldn’t be stopped and is going full steam ahead’ was indicative of the approach taken to the construction of the sporting complex without sufficient regard for the right of those who make the community their home and whose lives revolve around the savannah to be heard. Justice Rahim said residents had to discover matters relating to the project largely through their own efforts; literally had to plead for genuine consultation and had to resort to the national media in an effort to be heard.

“But alas their pleas have all fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

The judge, in ordering the minister to pay the residents’ costs of bringing the action, suggested that not only should recreational areas be provided but also consider that “green spaces deserve some measure of protection.”

“Developed nations appear to have gone the way of eco-friendly references in acknowledgment that the phrase green space does not only define a place for human recreation but also goes beyond to acknowledge the reservation or conservation of a community, rural, natural or historic character and the conservation of land for recreational ecological environmental or aesthetic interest.

As we continue to develop as a nation in the 21st century the time may have arrived when those who govern may wish not only to ensure that sufficient recreational areas are provided but also consider that green spaces deserve some measure of protection,” Justice Rahim said in his ruling.

Also appearing for the residents were attorneys Rishi Dass and Marina Narinesingh while Russell Martineau, SC, Gerald Ramdeen and Kendra Mark represented the minister.

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Sports minister tours new facilities
T&T Newsday Reports

SPORT AND Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith last week toured three of the national sporting facilities with Permanent Secretary Gillian Macintyre as well as staff from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT).

Minister Smith and the contingent spent just over five hours doing a comprehensive walk-through of the facilities currently under construction.

These were the National Aquatic Centre and the Cycling Velodrome in Couva, as well as the Tennis Centre in Tacarigua.

During the tour, Minister Smith identified his priorities regarding the facilities.

One of the minister’s immediate concerns will be the development of comprehensive plans and policies for the proper maintenance, management and upkeep of the three facilities. The Minister noted that in the past, several facilities and buildings were commissioned, but soon after they needed substantial refurbishment due to inadequate preventative maintenance management.

Another area of concern emerging from the tour was the need for a proper usage policy for national and elite level athletes. The facilities were built for the nation’s athletes to have a viable option to train at home for international competition. The Minister felt that it was important that all the necessary athletic amenities were also readily available to allow local athletes a full cadre of support services that would complement their competitive exploits.

Among those support services identified by the Minister, while in discussion with Sports Company personnel included, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, reflexology, message therapy, performance testing, sports medicine and injury prevention.

Minister Smith also saw a need for capacity building for the National Sporting Organisations, with an emphasis on increased levels of participation in their respective sports. He emphasised the need for baseline data (participation, demographics, frequency, access, etc.) across all sports, which should lead to better decision-making about investments of state funds and the continued sustainable development of each discipline.

He added with the completion of the facilities, the sporting bodies must play their part in achieving greater participation, accreditation, volunteerism and spectatorship for their sport.

The minister also noted that maximisation of the revenue potential of the new facilities was key to their sustainable operation.

Accordingly, he commissioned a full review of all the rates and user policies across all of the facilities under the purview of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Sports Company.

He noted while all of the facilities have a role to play in providing for the needs of athletes at all levels, attention must also be focused on income generation in order to ensure the citizen sees an economic return on the millions invested, and that the facilities can achieve self-sustainability.

Another priority for the minister was that all of the facilities are outfitted with modern, eco-friendly equipment and systems. The facilities’ operational procedures and policies must also prioritise energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint.

The three projects (Aquatic Centre, Velodrome and Tennis Centre) were conceptualised in 2007 and were officially commenced in 2009 when international project management consulting firm Pix International Holdings was commissioned by SPORTT to develop the terms and reference, scope of work and tendering and evaluation processes.

The contract was tendered in 2009 and following a full evaluation of all the bids, the Shanghai Construction Group was identified as the preferred contractor and was awarded the contract in 2011.

The facilities are still in the final stages of construction and are expected to be fully operational early next year.

They will be managed by the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the implementation agency of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

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SPoRTT names Phillips as head.
T&T Guardian Reports.

Former national cyclist and current cycling promoter Michael Phillips, has been appointed chairman of the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT).

Phillips replaces Dudnath Ramkessoon, who held the position for the past seven months. Phillips has years of management experience as the managing director of Phillips Promotions and owner of bike store Mike’s Bikes.

Through Phillips Promotions, Phillips has been one of the top cycling promoters in the country, hosting popular events such as the Beacon Cycling on the Avenue and the Michael Phillips Republic Day Cycling Classic. Phillips has also served as president of the T&T Cycling Federation.

Phillips, who is currently out of the country, is looking forward to his new assignment. In a release last night, he stated, “I am honoured to be asked to serve as the chairman of SporTT.

I am excited to have the opportunity to work with the Honourable Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith, as we are both motivated sporting enthusiasts. I will do my best to have sport in T&T benefit from a structured and innovative approach to management. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”