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Offline E-man

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Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« on: January 06, 2009, 01:25:39 PM »
Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
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Tuesday, January 06 2009 @ 03:00 PM AST
Contributed by: dirk

The following were the remarks made by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt (right) at a media conference today hosted by the Football Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) to announce the Ministry's three-year investment in the organisation.

The first tranche was symbolically presented today in the amount of $1.5 million.

The conference was attended by Minister Hunt, Permanent Secretary Margaret Farray, FPATT President Shaka Hislop (left) and executive members of FPATT.

"Throughout 2008 the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has consistently highlighted a new vision for sport in Trinidad and Tobago and its role in our human and social development. Unfortunately the focus at times seems to have been more on personalities instead of the major issues and key principles. I would therefore like to highlight, once again, a few of the key objectives of the Ministry’s strategic plan since it would also explain the reason for supporting groups such as the Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

"One of the main objectives of our new vision is the establishment of greater collaboration among all the stakeholders involved in sport. This is based on the principle that the days of the ‘one-man’ show are over and that sport in the modern era is far too complex for the old, individualistic system to work. If, as a society, we are serious about change and democracy then the sporting world offers the ideal opportunity to demonstrate this commitment.

"The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs believes that if all stakeholders come together in a spirit of true cooperation then we can achieve so much more in terms of sporting glory. I am therefore very pleased with the response to this initiative from most of our National Sporting Organizations. It should be noted that with regard to cricket the Ministry also provided support to the West Indies Players Association (W.I.P.A.) since we feel that the cricketers themselves are also important stakeholders in the development of cricket. In the same way the Ministry has identified FPATT as a major stakeholder in the development of football and we have therefore agreed to provide financial assistance for an initial 3-year period. We expect that at the end of this period the Players Association will become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

"Another important objective of the Ministry’s new vision is the modernization of our approach to the management of sport in Trinidad and Tobago. During the past year, I spoke repeatedly about the need to ‘professionalize’ the operations of our National Sporting Organizations and to establish modern systems of financial management and general administration. Sport today is a billion dollar industry with huge sums of money available from a variety of sources including corporate sponsors and the electronic media, especially television. As a result there is a great need for accountability and transparency since our NSOs are not private companies but are in fact quasi public enterprises that are using public funds in conducting their affairs. The Ministry has stated emphatically that we will not compromise on the need for integrity in the administration of sport.

"More importantly, however, it is critical that the revenues generated from sport are invested in the development of the game itself especially in terms of player development. In the final analysis it is the player who is the most important factor since without him or her there would be no football and the game would die. A Football Players Association has a major role to play in the development of young footballers since such an organization would have a deeper understanding of the major issues affecting the player. It is perhaps significant that FIFA, the governing body for world football, has recognized the importance of Players’ Associations and it is working closely with the FIFPro the International Federation of Players Associations.

"In 2006, President of FIFA, Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter signed an official Memorandum of Understanding with FIFPro and he remarked at the time that:-

'FIFA's objective from the very beginning has been to include all the members of the family of football. With FIFPro's participation, the players' interests will be well represented. Throughout these long negotiations, I have come to respect FIFPro's leadership, and I look forward to continue working with them on other football issues.'

"The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs is in full agreement with the mandate to ‘include all members of the family of football’ in the development of the game. It is for this reason we also gave our wholehearted support last year to the Veteran Footballers Foundation. We believe that our football pioneers also have an important role to play and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They are the ones who laid the foundation for whatever success has been achieved in recent times and their contributions should never be forgotten.

"In representing the players of today, FPATT must therefore ensure that their members preserve this legacy. They must insist that all players especially those who represent Trinidad and Tobago conduct themselves in a manner befitting national representatives. They must demand discipline at all times as well as an unswerving commitment to professionalism. If they can accomplish this then FPATT would have provided a great service not only to the game but to the wider society as well. The pursuit of this goal is also a major reason for the Ministry’s support and we expect that FPATT will fully embrace this challenge.

"On behalf of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, I extend best wishes to the Football Players Association and the wider football fraternity for a successful 2009.

"I would also at this time like to wish Ms. Tamara Watson a speedy recovery."

GOVT PUMPS IN $3.25m
Football Players Association...
Kern De Freitas (Trinidad Express)


Wednesday, January 7th 2009

HAVING fumbled for a way through after humble beginnings, the Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) can finally afford to stand on their feet.

FPATT will benefit from a $3.25 million infusion from the Sport and Youth Affairs Ministry to get operations up and running, FPATT president Shaka Hislop revealed yesterday during a press conference at the Nealco Training Centre on Edward Street, Port of Spain.

The financial boost will pump some life back into the Players Association, which has been dormant due to a lack of funds. It involves annual contributions over the next three year periods, after which Sport Minister Gary Hunt said FPATT must become "self-sufficient and self-reliant".

Hislop, the ex-national goal-keeper, who left the country yesterday after flying in the day before for the press conference, thanked Hunt for, "his support, his vision" and the "financial input from his Ministry".

"Every penny will go back into the game," was Hislop's assurance.

The monies promised for the final two years will be granted to FPATT, "predicated upon the receipt of audited statements", a major criterion Hunt has repeatedly demanded from sport organisations benefitting from the Ministry's generosity.

Yesterday, Hunt paid out the first installment, the sum of $1,500,000 to the players association. For the second year they will receive $1 million, and the final payout will be $750,000.

Among FPATT's immediate agenda will be player mobilisation, "to get the Players Association off the ground" according to Hislop.

"We will be focussing on starting a membership drive and establishing a voice for the players," he said, adding that, "...the only tangible assets in football are the players, so the players must have a voice".

FPATT was formed in 2003, and have been at odds with the T&T Football Federation (T&TFF) over players issues for some time. Still, Hislop said FPATT are not "against" the T&TFF, despite "broad and slanderous statements" being made against the Association:

"FPATT is not against the TTFF. We are just here to give the players a voice in the game. I don't know how that translates to being against the T&TFF. I didn't get that translation."

Asked about the money they received from the Ministry last year, Hislop reported that the sum of $99,000 they got was only a loan, and will be repaid from the funds they received yesterday "with some accrued interest, of course".

He also described as "absolute fallacy" claims that the ongoing arbitration involving members of the 2006 World Cup squad and the T&TFF over World Cup bonuses was being paid for by funds provided by the Government.

Hislop said that FPATT will continue to look after players' interests, and referred to insurance for national players at all levels as an important issue. He pointed to an incident where he claimed the T&TFF had given verbal assurance that there would be insurance for senior national players in February last year.

"Lo and behold, when Kenwyne Jones got injured (in June last year versus England), there was a rather embarrassing exchange of words between Roy Keane and Jack Warner over the lack of insurance for Kenwyne Jones."

FPATT are also planning their AGM, which Hislop said is high on their agenda.


PLAYERS' MONEY: Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Gary Hunt, second from right, presents a cheque for $1.5 million to Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) president Shaka Hislop yesterday following a press conference at the Nealco Training Centre, Edward Street, Port of Spain. At left is Sport Ministry Permanent Secretary Margaret Farray, and second from left is FPATT vice president Clayton Morris. -Photo: DEXTER PHILIP
« Last Edit: January 06, 2009, 11:41:39 PM by E-man »

Offline weary1969

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2009, 02:40:47 PM »
Here JW cuss d boo boo now.
Today you're the dog, tomorrow you're the hydrant - so be good to others - it comes back!"

Offline Coop's

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2009, 03:11:16 PM »
I'm confused,just one question,is FPATT Football Players Association of T&T or Football Professionals Association of T&T? both are being mentioned here,is it the same organisation?my guess is that players will be confused too.

Offline Deeks

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2009, 03:26:09 PM »
Aye Coops welcome back and Happy New Year to you and everybody on the site.  I guess the FPATT is all one and the same.

Offline benedicts bwoy

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2009, 03:36:21 PM »
Ball in JW court now..........let de pontificating begin! :cheers: :cheers:
De rum shop is officially open for business!

Offline Brownsugar

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2009, 06:03:38 PM »
oooohhhh guuuddd....popcorn time!!... :devil:

Seriously though...go FPATT!!...what's next??
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline dreamer

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2009, 08:26:21 PM »
Nice maneuvering FPATT. Nice.
Big up Clayton, Leonson, Shaka, Sancho, Fitzpatrick and de res'.
Nutten more to be said.
Supportin' de Warriors right tru.

Offline E-man

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2009, 11:43:31 PM »
updated with Express article and Shaka's comments above.

Offline assrancid

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2009, 01:50:58 AM »
I'm confused,just one question,is FPATT Football Players Association of T&T or Football Professionals Association of T&T? both are being mentioned here,is it the same organisation?my guess is that players will be confused too.

why you care, you have no respect for them!  None at all, as evidenced by your many negative posts regarding that fine organization!

Offline sjahrain

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2009, 06:33:58 AM »
Jack I hope your Bam cee the writing on the wall...... :rotfl:

Change is coming........change is coming

Raise the ALARM......


Offline 1-868

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2009, 07:00:45 AM »
Ah guess the "Fearless One" and the "Big Mouth One" go be cussing Hunt again???
Phenomenal, lovely atmosphere.

Offline weary1969

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Re: Sports Ministry invests in football professionals
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2009, 08:16:34 AM »
Ah guess the "Fearless One" and the "Big Mouth One" go be cussing Hunt again???

D Big Mouth 1 eh have no choice he on JW payroll.
Today you're the dog, tomorrow you're the hydrant - so be good to others - it comes back!"

 

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