People in politics should not be in sports.

[Sam]

People holding positions in politics should not hold a high positions in sports.

Sancho is not with Central anymore (?) and Tim Kee should not be Mayor and TTFA president.

They need to make a law for this.

[Football supporter]

Shouldn't this be the other way around? People in sport should not hold a high position in politics? But then you would have a sport minister who knows nothing about sport!!

[Flex]

Shouldn't this be the other way around? People in sport should not hold a high position in politics? But then you would have a sport minister who knows nothing about sport!!

And there are coaches who never play football!!!

I agree with Sam to a point.

Its the same with FIFA.

Votes for $upport.

Naturally speaking, I am sure if Tim Kee (don't like him) was part of the PP government funds would have been unlimited or Tim Kee hanging on for PNM to win election and T&T will become an ATM once more for him to run football.

However, nothing wrong with having a government member involved in sports but not in a high position that could affect the FA.

Its all politics and friends and family benefiting from T&T don't matter who you put there.

Imagine if PNM win election (no, I am not for PP, I am for no one) just drawing a point, Tim Kee will become a dictator because once you in a high position in government you will recieve financial backing to control. T&T government has no accountability, PNM or PP, they wasted millons.

Look at all of these people who controlling sports in T&T, they have held that position for such a long time (Larry Romany, Skeene, Lewis, etc).... there is no democracy in T&T at all.

Btw,,, Is Ashwin Creed still Sport Ministry permanent secretary?

[Football supporter]

Shouldn't this be the other way around? People in sport should not hold a high position in politics? But then you would have a sport minister who knows nothing about sport!!

And there are coaches who never play football!!!

I agree with Sam to a point.

Its the same with FIFA.

Votes for $upport.

Naturally speaking, I am sure if Tim Kee (don't like him) was part of the PP government funds would have been unlimited or Tim Kee hanging on for PNM to win election and T&T will become an ATM once more for him to run football.

However, nothing wrong with having a government member involved in sports but not in a high position that could affect the FA.

Its all politics and friends and family benefiting from T&T don't matter who you put there.

Imagine if PNM win election (no, I am not for PP, I am for no one) just drawing a point, Tim Kee will become a dictator because once you in a high position in government you will recieve financial backing to control. T&T government has no accountability, PNM or PP, they wasted millons.

Look at all of these people who controlling sports in T&T, they have held that position for such a long time (Larry Romany, Skeene, Lewis, etc).... there is no democracy in T&T at all.

Btw,,, Is Ashwin Creed still Sport Ministry permanent secretary?

Ashwin Creed moved to another Ministry. The P.S. at MoS is Richard Oliver. He keeps very tight hold of purse strings and procedures. Anthony Creed is still at SPORTT and appears to be very competent in his role.

I agree with the lack of democracy in sport. In virtually every sport, from netball to chess I hear complaints from people in the sport about how their national body is run. Now you will always have people who know better or who think they should be in charge, but there does seem to be an inordinate number of national sporting bodies that are being hampered by internal squabbles.

The problem seems to be the number of clubs who vote is too small. It's fairly easy to mobilise enough zonal votes to sit on the national exec.  Once you're there, you can vote for the President who will treat you best, not necessarily who will deliver for your sport.  It's very rare for a zonal candidate to mount a campaign to garner support. Apathy rules!

[Flex]

This is why I believe SPORTT should not just be a bank for sporting bodies and give money blindly but they need to make some rules for the game to an extent where it does not afftect the associations paying a penalty from the head governing body.

And why is Anthony Creed still there? new minister, new staff, simple as that.

Once SPORTT giving money and local sports recieving it, then implement laws, not saying to control anyone, just have rules where you want your money to go, cause it could very well end up in someone's pocket.

For example, no one should be there for more than 2 terms and once he/she leaves, their staff has to go with them as well. And they have to show how money is being spent and some must be made for development purpose, etc etc....

Furthmore, the voting panel should be made public or spread-out more, cause in football, only the zones are able to vote for president, but if Jack Warner (for example) put his people into the zones he will keep winning, no?

A constitution must cover all of this, hence the reason the new TTFA constitution is delayed? cause no election can take place without a new constitution leaving the person in power there a bit longer (until PNM win election... lol)....

The Tobago seat, if Richard Goddard wins it, this will be a positive change, we have known him a while now and he has been through the game, good and bad, and seems to favor no one in particular, just wants the best for the game in his forgotten land.

Decent individuals must take control of the zones in T&T.

And T&T league needs an overall, Promote all of the Super League teams and have a Pro League with 20 Pro League teams, give them money to compete for 2 years and then they are on their own after that, have a first divsion and second division to feed the league, this is where SPORTT must come in and take control cause the heads there are stuck in reverse.

Toyota Classic and First Citizen Cup etc, can be a Reserve League competition, where only team Under 23 teams can compete, this way the clubs can focus more league games and CFU and CCL games etc,,, freeing up players to also join the national team, etc.

Brian Manning has been running the SSFL a while now to, why? schools are properties of the T&T gov, have him remove and fix the league.

To many divisions and individuals in T&T football and no one working together as team.

The WPL might be a good idea and I hope the MoS and the TTFA will work hand in hand on this, the TTFA must be involved as they are the governing body and Sancho must respect that, it can benefit T&T as a country and the TTFA to get some much needed funds/exposure.

But why not imporve WoLF?? and have them break from the regular fixtures to compete in July and August as a WPL mini tournament??

You have La Brea beating Waterloo 16-0 in the WoLF league!!!

You have no Tobago teams in the WoLF league, why? This is Trinidad and Tobago Women League, not Trinidad Women League !!!!

None of the top league (Pro League and WoLF) has a Tobago team.

Now we biting more than we can chew and everyone incharge wants their own league, tournament and doing they own thing??

We want to bring top players for the WPL and pay them big money meanwhile, some of the WOLF players not even getting paid, how?

Help the sporting bodies to be more self sufficent cause in the end, all will benefit.

But the politics in T&T football has been its major downfall since its existence.

Sancho term could end soon?? depends on the next election and in the little time he is here he can really make a positive impact, but he must remove the politics from his game and do it for the love of sport and not saying he does, just talking out loud..

Look at Jack Warner, a perfect example how politics work, he is a very wealthy man, made millions on T&T and other countries, he held the highest high poistion and left T&T football in the same state he got it 30 years ago, how??

[Bakes]

The Minister cannot remove a Permanent Secretary, there is a reason why the position is called "permanent," otherwise you'd have chaos and lack of continuity every time there is a new Minister. Just imagine we've had three- and God-willing, a fourth, Ministers of Sport alone in just  over 5 years. How would the Ministry run with that much turnover?

And for the record Tim Kee isn't holding up elections, that is the kind of irresponsible talk Sancho was famous for before he was bought by the PP government. The constitutional reforms are in the hands of the ExCo. Tim Kee doesn't have nearly as much power as people assume.

[Flex]

The Minister cannot remove a Permanent Secretary, there is a reason why the position is called "permanent," otherwise you'd have chaos and lack of continuity every time there is a new Minister. Just imagine we've had three- and God-willing, a fourth, Ministers of Sport alone in just  over 5 years. How would the Ministry run with that much turnover?

And for the record Tim Kee isn't holding up elections, that is the kind of irresponsible talk Sancho was famous for before he was bought by the PP government. The constitutional reforms are in the hands of the ExCo. Tim Kee doesn't have nearly as much power as people assume.

So the Permanent Secretary job more secure than any other minister?

Wonder how they do it in other countires.

By chance, who are the members of ExCo?

And the TTFA also have to get FIFA here to approve the new constitution.

[Deeks]

As long as sport teams and association depend on govt to assist them, there will always be intervention on how they may want these organizations to spend the given money. If you don't want govt intervention go elsewhere and get your money. What if? By some miracle, all the private companies come together and put up money to assist sports? Allyuh think they would not demand the same thing as govt? Tax payers money and private sector money are the same damn money. They will demand or interfere, take your pick, as much as govt ministers do.

[Bakes]

So the Permanent Secretary job more secure than any other minister?

Wonder how they do it in other countires.

By chance, who are the members of ExCo?

And the TTFA also have to get FIFA here to approve the new constitution.

Absolutely the PS job more secure than the Ministers... the Ministers are usually politicians, sometimes just political appointees, who serve in their ministries at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.  Today-tomorrow they could be fired.  Permanent Secretaries are civil servants, public employees employed by the Public Service Commission, I believe... and who get their "instruments of appointment" from the Head of the PSC.

Not sure who all the members of the ExCo are, but they include, Lennox Watson, Rudy Thomas, Krishna Kuarsingh, Neville Ferguson and I believe Roland Forde, Richard Quan Chan, Brian Layne, Sherwin Dyer and Paula Chester-Cumberbatch.  FIFA has already approved the revised statutes.

[Flex]

So the Permanent Secretary job more secure than any other minister?

Wonder how they do it in other countires.

By chance, who are the members of ExCo?

And the TTFA also have to get FIFA here to approve the new constitution.

Absolutely the PS job more secure than the Ministers... the Ministers are usually politicians, sometimes just political appointees, who serve in their ministries at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.  Today-tomorrow they could be fired.  Permanent Secretaries are civil servants, public employees employed by the Public Service Commission, I believe... and who get their "instruments of appointment" from the Head of the PSC.

Not sure who all the members of the ExCo are, but they include, Lennox Watson, Rudy Thomas, Krishna Kuarsingh, Neville Ferguson and I believe Roland Forde, Richard Quan Chan, Brian Layne, Sherwin Dyer and Paula Chester-Cumberbatch.  FIFA has already approved the revised statutes.

So they own men working against them?

Didn't the TTFA just hired Richard Quan Chan as TTFA technical committee chairman and Neville Ferguson as TTFA FA Trophy tournament committee chairman and TTFA Super League commissioner?

Anthony Creed is also part of ExCo

Why did they hire them then?

[Bakes]

So they own men working against them?

Didn't the TTFA just hired Richard Quan Chan as TTFA technical committee chairman and Neville Ferguson as TTFA FA Trophy tournament committee chairman and TTFA Super League commissioner?

Anthony Creed is also part of ExCo

Why did they hire them then?

I thought Creed was as well... but wasn't sure.  Quan Chan and Ferguson weren't "hired" per se.  All members of the ExCo are elected members of the TTFA, they are voted in.  From the membership, they then appoint various members to positions, on different committees.  That's not really Tim Kee's decision.  The problem is in Kuarsingh, Thomas and Watson... the three of them have been fighting everything the new admin has been trying to do, especially Watson and Thomas.  Half the negative stuff leaked to Wired868 about the TTFA comes from them two.  They are Jack holdovers, and Watson was a candidate for President until he dropped out of the race.  No doubt he has his eye on the role again, so whatever he could do to make Tim Kee look bad that's what he's doing.  Not to say that Tim Kee and Phillips haven't made their own mistakes themselves.

[Flex]

So they own men working against them?

Didn't the TTFA just hired Richard Quan Chan as TTFA technical committee chairman and Neville Ferguson as TTFA FA Trophy tournament committee chairman and TTFA Super League commissioner?

Anthony Creed is also part of ExCo

Why did they hire them then?

I thought Creed was as well... but wasn't sure.  Quan Chan and Ferguson weren't "hired" per se.  All members of the ExCo are elected members of the TTFA, they are voted in.  From the membership, they then appoint various members to positions, on different committees.  That's not really Tim Kee's decision.  The problem is in Kuarsingh, Thomas and Watson... the three of them have been fighting everything the new admin has been trying to do, especially Watson and Thomas.  Have the negative stuff leaked to Wired868 about the TTFA comes from them two.  They are Jack holdovers, and Watson was a candidate for President until he dropped out of the race.  No doubt he has his eye on the role again, so whatever he could do to make Tim Kee look bad that's what he's doing.  Not to say that Tim Kee and Phillips haven't made their own mistakes themselves.

Thanx for the insight Bakes.

[Football supporter]

This is why I believe SPORTT should not just be a bank for sporting bodies and give money blindly but they need to make some rules for the game to an extent where it does not afftect the associations paying a penalty from the head governing body.

And why is Anthony Creed still there? new minister, new staff, simple as that.

Once SPORTT giving money and local sports recieving it, then implement laws, not saying to control anyone, just have rules where you want your money to go, cause it could very well end up in someone's pocket.

For example, no one should be there for more than 2 terms and once he/she leaves, their staff has to go with them as well. And they have to show how money is being spent and some must be made for development purpose, etc etc....

Furthmore, the voting panel should be made public or spread-out more, cause in football, only the zones are able to vote for president, but if Jack Warner (for example) put his people into the zones he will keep winning, no?

A constitution must cover all of this, hence the reason the new TTFA constitution is delayed? cause no election can take place without a new constitution leaving the person in power there a bit longer (until PNM win election... lol)....

The Tobago seat, if Richard Goddard wins it, this will be a positive change, we have known him a while now and he has been through the game, good and bad, and seems to favor no one in particular, just wants the best for the game in his forgotten land.

Decent individuals must take control of the zones in T&T.

And T&T league needs an overall, Promote all of the Super League teams and have a Pro League with 20 Pro League teams, give them money to compete for 2 years and then they are on their own after that, have a first divsion and second division to feed the league, this is where SPORTT must come in and take control cause the heads there are stuck in reverse.

Toyota Classic and First Citizen Cup etc, can be a Reserve League competition, where only team Under 23 teams can compete, this way the clubs can focus more league games and CFU and CCL games etc,,, freeing up players to also join the national team, etc.

Brian Manning has been running the SSFL a while now to, why? schools are properties of the T&T gov, have him remove and fix the league.

To many divisions and individuals in T&T football and no one working together as team.

The WPL might be a good idea and I hope the MoS and the TTFA will work hand in hand on this, the TTFA must be involved as they are the governing body and Sancho must respect that, it can benefit T&T as a country and the TTFA to get some much needed funds/exposure.

But why not imporve WoLF?? and have them break from the regular fixtures to compete in July and August as a WPL mini tournament??

You have La Brea beating Waterloo 16-0 in the WoLF league!!!

You have no Tobago teams in the WoLF league, why? This is Trinidad and Tobago Women League, not Trinidad Women League !!!!

None of the top league (Pro League and WoLF) has a Tobago team.

Now we biting more than we can chew and everyone incharge wants their own league, tournament and doing they own thing??

We want to bring top players for the WPL and pay them big money meanwhile, some of the WOLF players not even getting paid, how?

Help the sporting bodies to be more self sufficent cause in the end, all will benefit.

But the politics in T&T football has been its major downfall since its existence.

Sancho term could end soon?? depends on the next election and in the little time he is here he can really make a positive impact, but he must remove the politics from his game and do it for the love of sport and not saying he does, just talking out loud..

Look at Jack Warner, a perfect example how politics work, he is a very wealthy man, made millions on T&T and other countries, he held the highest high poistion and left T&T football in the same state he got it 30 years ago, how??

Lots of good points here Flex. One of the first things Sancho requested when he became Minister was an overhaul of MoS policy regarding funding procedures and oversight. This has been completed and has been distributed for consultation. The new policies will be implemented shortly. Some of the areas address elite funding and the areas that elite doesn't cover such as team sports, funding for potential elite athletes etc and the athletes responsibilities to support MoS projects and promote T&T overseas.

Many of the questions regarding football fall outside of the Ministries remit and could be construed as interference, however, the Ministry has more latitude to influence change in most other sports.

[Bakes]

Thanx for the insight Bakes.

 

Lots of good points here Flex. One of the first things Sancho requested when he became Minister was an overhaul of MoS policy regarding funding procedures and oversight. This has been completed and has been distributed for consultation. The new policies will be implemented shortly. Some of the areas address elite funding and the areas that elite doesn't cover such as team sports, funding for potential elite athletes etc and the athletes responsibilities to support MoS projects and promote T&T overseas.

Many of the questions regarding football fall outside of the Ministries remit and could be construed as interference, however, the Ministry has more latitude to influence change in most other sports.

This, if you ask me is a very good proposal and something which has been long overdue.  The problem I have with the policy isn't so much that it was implemented, but how it was implemented.  It is neither fair nor right for the Ministry to promise to pay the coaches and finance the Gold Cup preparations under Griffith, only for Sancho to come in three months before competition begins and change the game midstream.  Coaches made plans with the expectation that they would be paid on time.  The TTFA, in reliance on the promises made by the Ministry planned their budget I'm sure, with the expectation that the funds would be disbursed.  So to come hold that hostage to some new stipulation, only because Sancho personally thinks this is what's 'proper'... that is where the problem lies.

[soccerrama]

http://wired868.com/2015/05/22/sancho-agrees-to-fund-ttfa-and-pay-coaches-awaits-wpl-endorsement/


Sancho agrees to fund TTFA and pay coaches, awaits WPL endorsement

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee secured a significant victory in his power struggle with Sport Minister Brent Sancho today with the announcement that the Government would resume funding of local football.

“The Ministry has therefore agreed to resume funding to the TTFA,” stated a joint release today from the TTFA and Sport Ministry, “with an initial release to cover two months outstanding salaries for coaches and technical staff of the senior men’s programme.

“Additionally, the Ministry has undertaken to review the TTFA’s request for funding to support the 2015 Gold Cup campaign which begins in July 2015…

“The Ministry also resolved to support the FIFA Goal project which will see the establishment of a National Training Centre in Trinidad and Tobago.”

The Sport Ministry’s decision would be viewed as a climbdown after Sancho stopped funding in April due to the TTFA’s failure to meet a mutually agreed March deadline to produced audited statements for 2014. Sancho also refused to pay the salaries of the national team coaches.

But, in the end, the Sport Ministry agreed to resume funding and pay the TTFA’s coaches in exchange for just the 2008/09 audited statement and an extended deadline for draft statements leading up to 2014.

“When the meeting concluded, Minister Brent Sancho was presented with draft audited financial statements from the TTFA for the periods 2008/09,” stated the release. “The Ministry committed to assisting the TTFA to bring the organisation’s accounting records up to date and determine how state funding will be accounted for in the future.

“However, as the submission of audited financials for previous years must be complete before going forward…”

The TTFA agreed to present draft accounting statements, as prepared by KPMG, on: May 22 (for the year 2010/11), June 8 (for the year 2011/12) and June 30 (for the year 2013/14).

Sancho’s need for the TTFA to endorse his proposed Women’s Premier League (WPL)—a point seized with relish by Tim Kee—was felt to have a been a factor in the softened tone by the Sport Ministry.

“With respect to the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Ministry has submitted a prospectus on the proposed rules and regulations of the tournament,” stated the release, “and expects to secure the formal endorsement of the TTFA for the competition which is scheduled to commence in June 2015.”

But there was a potential sting in the tail for Tim Kee and the TTFA. KPMG, according to the joint release, found bank statements for 2008/09 that were not reflected in the football body’s accounts.

The football body has supposedly requested further records from the relevant banks and it could make for interesting reading, considering the chaotic state of the TTFA’s finances.

“A bank confirmation was received for (2008 and 2009), that included bank accounts that were not reflected in the accounts,” stated KPMG, according to the release. “TTFA’s management requested information from the relevant banks, most of which has not been received to date.

“Consequently, TTFA’s management was unable to provide the auditors with sufficient information for the completion of the audits for all years from 2008 onwards.”

The Sport Ministry gave KPMG’s assurance as its reason for an about-turn, which would benefit several national teams as well as the WPL. It is left to be seen what impact the truce would have on the TTFA’s vow to deliver greater financial transparency.

[Richard G.]

This is why I believe SPORTT should not just be a bank for sporting bodies and give money blindly but they need to make some rules for the game to an extent where it does not afftect the associations paying a penalty from the head governing body..................


The Tobago seat, if Richard Goddard wins it, this will be a positive change, we have known him a while now and he has been through the game, good and bad, and seems to favor no one in particular, just wants the best for the game in his forgotten land.

...............Look at Jack Warner, a perfect example how politics work, he is a very wealthy man, made millions on T&T and other countries, he held the highest high poistion and left T&T football in the same state he got it 30 years ago, how??

Thanks for the big ups Flex. Tobago does need a re-vamp. I would cherish the opportunity.
Richard G.

[weary1969]

The Minister cannot remove a Permanent Secretary, there is a reason why the position is called "permanent," otherwise you'd have chaos and lack of continuity every time there is a new Minister. Just imagine we've had three- and God-willing, a fourth, Ministers of Sport alone in just  over 5 years. How would the Ministry run with that much turnover?

And for the record Tim Kee isn't holding up elections, that is the kind of irresponsible talk Sancho was famous for before he was bought by the PP government. The constitutional reforms are in the hands of the ExCo. Tim Kee doesn't have nearly as much power as people assume.

So the Permanent Secretary job more secure than any other minister?

Wonder how they do it in other countires.

By chance, who are the members of ExCo?

And the TTFA also have to get FIFA here to approve the new constitution.

The PS is a Public Officer the jokers in this government found that hard to understand.