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Four days after the Trinidad and Tobago national women’s team flew to the United States for a pre-CONCACAF Championship training camp with just US$500, the team is still awaiting the promised funding from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
And the Ministry of Sport revealed that the TTFA’s request for sponsorship was so late that it only landed at its office on Tuesday evening when the “Soca Princesses” were already at the Piarco International Airport.
Yet, last night, the only apology for the humiliating debacle came from the TTFA’s women’s coach, American native Randy Waldrum, who said sorry for the tweet that provoked an outpouring of goodwill in Dallas and red faces in Trinidad and Tobago.
(Courtesy ESPN)
On Wednesday morning, as his team started training without water and with no money for lunch, Waldrum tweeted: “I need HELP! T&T sent a team here last night with $500 total. No equipment such as balls, no transportation from airport to hotel, nothing…
“I don’t know how I’m going to feed these players starting at lunch today! If you know of anyone in Dallas area that will help with food, etc.”
By lunch, national players said random people started turning up with water and snacks while, by dinner, they received pizza from well-wishers. And, by the following morning, there was over US$10,000 in an account the coach set up for the team.
Even the Haitian women’s football team, who the Warriors will face in a vital World Cup qualifier next week, pledged just over US$1,300 to the Princesses.
“Coach takes a stand for the team and look what happened,” wrote Caribbean Cup MVP and T&T striker Mariah Shade, on her Facebook account. “People from all over Dallas are just bringing us carloads of water, Gatorade, food, fruits, snacks and so much more.
“People in another country treating us like this; we are very grateful. #BlessingsInAbundance.”
Trinidad and Tobago national women’s team coach Randy Waldrum apologised for his tweets for financial aid.
However, TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee suggested that Waldrum suffered an “emotional disturbance” and, although he conceded that his administration had erred, it was only Waldrum who was asked to apologise.
“The response was overwhelming however in hindsight the language used to appeal for assistance could have been better,” stated Waldrum, via a TTFA press release yesterday, “and was not meant to cause any embarrassment to the TTFA nor the Trinidad and Tobago public at large.
“If it did by any chance, I apologize in advance for any embarrassment caused.”
Waldrum also thanked Petrotrin again for allowing his team use of its facility before the players left for the United States; although, in a previous tweet, he expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the club house.
For now, Waldrum wants to put the matter behind him and focus on preparing his team for the World Cup qualifiers. Not that there is any chance his tweet will not be the talk of the tournament.
“I am passionate about my players and in making Trinidad and Tobago proud, and like yourself, I understand the tremendous opportunity that lies before us,” stated Waldrum, who led the Princesses to the Caribbean Cup title while working pro bono. “Thank you for all your efforts in light of a very difficult and challenging situation and would like to thank the people that came to our aid including the hundreds of donors, supporters, Ministry of Sport and Petrotrin.”
(Courtesy Jinelle James/Wired868)
Trinidad and Tobago captain Maylee Attin-Johnson, in a previous interview with Wired868, gave a more sober analysis.
“Our preparation was abysmal,” said Attin-Johnson. “It was what we didn’t expect after being champions of the Caribbean. But that is water under the bridge now.
“We just have to see what we can do, now that we have all the girls together, to get to the World Cup.”
For the Tim Kee, who is also Port of Spain Mayor and PNM treasurer, and his general secretary Sheldon Phillips, it was just one more embarrassing cock-up to their list.
Since Tim Kee took over the helm of the football body in December 2012, the football body has: failed to audit the body’s accounts, misled the public over an Akeem Adams fundraiser, failed to properly convene its finance committee, reversed a promise to chase funds allegedly siphoned out of the football body by former special advisor Jack Warner, failed to pay technical director Anton Corneal as well as replace him after his resignation, failed to honour courtroom promises made to the 2006 World Cup players and former coach Russell Latapy, hired and fired coaches without approval from the TTFA executive committee and botched administrative duties like making timely requests for funding, selecting local players for a MLS camp, hiring referees for a FA Trophy clash and mediating club disputes at Super League level.
And, this week, the national women’s team was on a plane for Dallas without a single accompanying technical staff member and not even a dollar to pay for transport from the airport to their hotel. Worse, the football body had not even formally requested money to give to the Princesses until that very evening.
Fortunately, one player’s parent, Kenrick Hoyte, is a customs officer and he, along with a TTFA staff member, dipped in their personal bank accounts and came up with US$500, which he gave to the women while they were on the plane.
Tim Kee said his administration’s behaviour was “unpardonable.” But he did not offer an apology for it; nor did he sanction any TTFA staff member and, in particular, his General Secretary for their roles in the farce.
He ensured that Waldrum said sorry though.
(Apology in full)
Randy Waldrum:
Dear Mr. Tim Kee,
As part of my preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF tournament, I have worked under the full awareness of the financial difficulties facing the TTFA, especially its battle to raise awareness and financial support to provide the required level of resources for its women’s national team programs.
Our recent camp in Palo Seco was organized in response to my request for a proper residential camp. Once again, realizing the financial situation of the FA, I worked tirelessly with your General Secretary who successfully lobbied Petrotrin to graciously provide the beach camp facility for free to start our national team preparations.
Concurrently, plans were being put in place to have a 7-day camp in Dallas where I would be able to secure some additional resources to continue the team’s preparation.
However, when eleven players arrived to Dallas on Monday October 6, at that time I had only received partial itinerary information from the team manager with some insight on what was being done in Trinidad regarding the release of funds.
Understanding the challenges the TTFA, I sent out a message on social media site Twitter asking for assistance.
The response was overwhelming however in hindsight, the language used to appeal for assistance could have been better and was not meant to cause any embarrassment to the TTFA nor the Trinidad and Tobago public at large. If it did by any chance, I apologize in advance for any embarrassment caused.
I am passionate about my players and in making Trinidad and Tobago proud, and like yourself, I understand the tremendous opportunity that lies before us.
Thank you for all your efforts in light of a very difficult and challenging situation and would like to thank the people that came to our aid including the hundreds of donors, supporters,Ministry of Sport and Petrotrin.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
And why exactly is the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago enlisting the services of a free coach again, are we destitute, a nation of beggars?
It seems so given this week’s revelation………free coach, team sent abroad with $500 (I hope in U.S. dollars) and having to rely on the kindness of strangers and expatriates for basic survival.
But nah……..it’s the coach’s fault!
The same time it took him to tweet he could have called TTFF. It’s not about blame. It’s about management.
Lasana – you disappointed me with that last comment.
So how long was the Coach to wait for the TTFA to send funds given that they couldn’t afford water, far less meals at the time of the tweet? I saw in another thread that Haiti contributed to the cause. Well we reach because if we need charity from them……
I admit there is logic there Ian R Briggs.
The elephant in the room is that Waldrum is not looking for financial reward from this job. So what does he want?
A chance to raise his profile, which he can leverage later on in his own career.
If he doesn’t get it by taking the women to the World Cup, then he probably has already got it by his tweet.
You know what they say about free thing. I’m trying not to be too cynical here. But everyone has an end game. That is understandable.
We does rrrrrrrelllllll cut track fuh gouti tuh run in dis country!
Let’s assume that the coach was unprofessional, pray tell how else could he, in that short space of time, gotten the kind of assistance he received for the players if he hadn’t highlighted it on social media network..? The football admin knew the players left with no money and didn’t inform him as to how to behave and/or what to do until they sent funds..! let’s be honest and lay the blame squarely where its supposed to be..!
If Arsenal went to play at Chelsea and on arriving there they discovered that the organization did not release the required funds for the trip would anyone blame Wenger?
NO!
But somehow transpose that scenario to the T&T national women’s football team and it’s coach, not the organization is to blame.
Hear nah…………..
no Carlos… Coach did what PROFESSIONALS do when they are not in charge… even when not at fault you still bite the bullet…. He (coach) knew EXACTLY what he was doing….Why? after living up in the states for 20+ years I would have done the same damn thing and then issue an apology… Wait, like coach read my mind…the only was these fools (Tim Kee and Phillips) respond is when THEY ARE EMBARASSED!! so look what hapeen in the space of 2 days….. money (which was not requested when it was clear the girls were going to need to travel) get requested AND approved, and team have funds…. so no love lost…….. TTFA did what it was supposed to do and all it cost the coach was an apology to fools and not a dime out of his pocket….. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED in my book…. What this show me is this is the blue print for future national coaches when you have to deal with these clowns… they act like ASS as usual when requesting funds and support? send a shot across their brow on twitter
Fair point in some respects…
*( i know that would not happen)
Yes, TTFF and the Min of Sports was sub- par but we can’t allow people to believe they can disrespect our organisation. I wonder if Canada did something like ( i know that would happen) would he do that?! We need to separate our distrust for sport administrators and what the situation from a management perspective.
He is unprofessional?! steupssss … not today nah
Sadly, Sherlan Cabralis, the cause of the problem is TTFA management, quite sub-par I might add. T&T Sports is overburdened with ineffective communicators, substandard decision making, poor marketing skills, and poor financial management. It’s unprofessionalism to the nth degree!
That does not change my opinion. As professionals in our job, are we allow to post negative comments on social media with ramifications? He is unprofessional
I’m tired.
This country simply has too many track cutters, some people cutting track for gouty to run and the others cutting track to catch gouti!
Waldrum was in the US, Sherlan Cabralis. Actually the team phoned him when they got the States. And I understand he did not even know they were coming.
he was in Dallas.He did not travel with the team
To all those responsible for that absurd occurrence….shame..shame..on you…
People say Waldrum should have handled it differently in a way that would bring less embarrassment to T&T. I admit that he could have.
But I cannot get how the TTFA gets a free pass.
Do you know that the TTFF, with the help of All Sport, sent several international teams out on tournaments in 2012 and even played international friendlies against Finland and Canada?
They did it by something call fund-raising, which is going out and making a case to corporate T&T and they did raise some money.
Does it not raise red flags that the TTFA’s request for funding from the Ministry of Sport was only made formally made on the evening of the girls’ trip?
I’m stunned that noone seemed to make anything of that.
(General Secretary who successfully lobbied Petrotrin to graciously provide the beach camp facility for free to start our national team preparations) …buh wha de jail I reading here…they have to lobby to get a training facility..a national team…papayo…so much for telling the young..SPORTS IS IT…and having to apologise for saying the team didn’t know where their next meal was coming from while in another country…whey sah..I thought they abolish slavery..but I see here…Massa wielding he big stick…and also massa does nothing wrong…hmmm…the things citizens have to put up with when these leaders only studying deyself….
Gerard Emile Zatopek Pinard, Simeon Humphrey posted this on another thread:
“Using Pinard’s logic President Nixon got carried away and therefore resigned for nothing ! This is proof positive why in T&T we had and have lots of Managers but no real Leaders – they occupy posts but are underachieving incompetents all. I cry for my beloved country !”
I would have fired him. If he really cared about the players he should not have gotten on the plane with the players. He has his own agenda.
the fact that he got results……while working pro bono…..and they want him to apologise for publicly airing the situation is beyond me
hats off to you Mr. Waldrum, example of a true coach
He should not at all…why hide it,them feeling shame now…one set ah BS with them yes…
ALL OF THEM DROPPED THE BALL!!!! THEY ARE ALL USELESS!
No he should not have had to apologise.
Yes there is more there always some underlying situation with these apologies smh
Apologise for what speaking the truth……
Mr Carlos Lee it seems you have a beef with Mr waldrum with your conspiracy theories and his so called ulterior motive and holding down part time job and day job.Yes his tweet could have been toned down but please stop speculating on his motives for coaching TNT for free unless hr specifically called you and told you personally what his motives are
I didn’t want to get involved in this discourse because frankly I am completely fed up of reading the weekly gaffes/cock-ups/nonsense spewed by the TTFA. I find it amazing that we want to hold the coach liable for embarrassing T&T. I have run my own company and led State and Privately held organisations and can categorically state as Head/CEO/MD, you hold ultimate accountability for the performance of the organisation. It can’t be any other way.
The TTFA doesn’t pay coaches, technical and administrative staff or even match fees on any consistent basis. They refuse to seek recovery of the missing funds despite the advice of the Judge and breach their agreed court sanctions and people want to argue that we chasing the wrong man?
You have to be kidding me. Don’t you have any idea what’s happening in the TTFA? But somehow you want to blame the government that has zero part in running the TTFA. This administration has a lot to answer for, but the failings of the TTFA isn’t one of them.
The TTFA is a complete disgrace as a national body and no amount of talk is going to change that. The system ia stacked for certain people to remain in power and no good can come of that. Personally I hope they are sued for breach of contract and destroyed and then maybe we can build something worthwhile from the ashes.
Lasana Liburd – I sometimes feel you are wasting your time following and reporting on these matters. I know I am fed up reading the articles.
Jus feeling as if there is more to this….
its high time ppl realise the GOVT dont give a shit about the PEOPLE, all they concerned bout is ROBBING the country while they r in office
Lasana – thanks for sharing. Randy has re-earned my respect by drafting that apology. Tim Kee and the TTFA should follow suit and draft a similar apology for their role in the fiasco. Wishing the ladies the best next week.
Sheldon Phillips is Tim Kee’s pick though. He is a direct employee of the TTFA president and there is a series of blunders; some of which I pointed out.
If Tim Kee continues to keep Phillips as his CEO, would Tim Kee not have to answer for his actions? Is that not what accountability is?
So who is to blame for all the faux pas of the last two years exactly?
Briggs – Randy was at fault. He was the one who sent out the unfortunate and irresponsible tweet. A tweet that any Trini who has an iota of pride in the black, red and white flag of TNT would find embarrassing and uncalled for. Randy was frustrated – frustrated at not having unlimited resources to do his part time gig. He’s trying to have his cake and eat it, by attempting to hold on to his daytime job while simultaneously managing a national team ahead of a big tournament. He’s basically trying to hold down two full time jobs and everyone knows that near impossible and will only result in frustrations and disappointments. The above said, it is clear that the TTFA and their challenging financial situation precipitated Randy’s unfortunate tweet. Tim Kee’s current attempts at holding three jobs, all of which require 100% of his time, is creating major issues. If he’s truly committed to developing the game he’s got to spend the time leading the TTFA’s fundraising efforts. He’s got to spend the time convincing the business sector that the TTFA and their products are viable partners for them to be associated with. He’s got to spend time working the public and getting us excited about football again. He’s got to establish a strong PR arm and rebuild the brand that is the TTFA. Basically, he’s got to start fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the office he is holding.
So Carlos against coach Randy for wanting to ‘eat he cake and have it’ too while working pro bono. How could Randy be so irresponsible as to engage in such an unfortunate display of the COJONES that Tim Kee and the rest of the ‘eat ah food’ gang mismanaging our national football lack !
Unfortunate and irresponsible is Tim Kee being selected to eat three cake and having them too, especially since he was there for 10 yrs previously and served Jack Warner. Trinis have real short memory indeed ! I am truly embarrassed now !
(Apology in full)
Randy Waldrum:
Dear Mr. Tim Kee,
As part of my preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF tournament, I have worked under the full awareness of the financial difficulties facing the TTFA, especially its battle to raise awareness and financial support to provide the required level of resources for its women’s national team programs.
Our recent camp in Palo Seco was organized in response to my request for a proper residential camp. Once again, realizing the financial situation of the FA, I worked tirelessly with your General Secretary who successfully lobbied Petrotrin to graciously provide the beach camp facility for free to start our national team preparations.
Concurrently, plans were being put in place to have a 7-day camp in Dallas where I would be able to secure some additional resources to continue the team’s preparation.
However, when eleven players arrived to Dallas on Monday October 6, at that time I had only received partial itinerary information from the team manager with some insight on what was being done in Trinidad regarding the release of funds.
Understanding the challenges the TTFA, I sent out a message on social media site Twitter asking for assistance.
The response was overwhelming however in hindsight, the language used to appeal for assistance could have been better and was not meant to cause any embarrassment to the TTFA nor the Trinidad and Tobago public at large. If it did by any chance, I apologize in advance for any embarrassment caused.
I am passionate about my players and in making Trinidad and Tobago proud, and like yourself, I understand the tremendous opportunity that lies before us.
Thank you for all your efforts in light of a very difficult and challenging situation and would like to thank the people that came to our aid including the hundreds of donors, supporters,Ministry of Sport and Petrotrin.
Nobody is responsible, therefore nobody is responsible for recognizing that nobody is responsible and altering the current arrangement in order to make people responsible, the result being nobody will ever be responsible.
But rel people incharge doh!!!!
Yeah, I for one am not giving the TTFA or it’s administrators a bligh.
This line of thought ultimately leads to facilitating the denial of responsibility and that is too often the case in this country.
“Tim Kee’s position was not created for the benefit of Tim Kee, it was created for the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago football, T&T football isn’t benefiting from Tim Kee’s position therefore Tim Kee must go. It’s as simple as that!” (Vernal Cadogan)
That’s it right there, sister. And, Asante, (“As for Tim Kee I really really don’t like that man you know”) it has NOTHING AT ALL to do with not liking the man (which is your right); it’s all about wanting him to do the job he was elected to do. Sort of like the government.
I’m hearing a this is acceptable tone and its not. Could no way ever be acceptable. That’s madness. And the world laughs at us because its madness.
“For now, Waldrum wants to put the matter behind him and focus on preparing his team for the World Cup qualifiers.” Will Wired868 assist him in so doing? I sure hope so
“Tim Kee said his administration’s behaviour was “unpardonable.” But he did not offer an apology for it; nor did he sanction any TTFA staff member and, in particular, his General Secretary for their roles in the farce.” Will Wired868 allow him to get away with so doing? I sure hope not.
Come on Gerard Emile Zatopek Pinard how about the embarrassment of sending a national team to an international with $500?
Coach did not embarrass TT….. TT embarrass TT…. the farcical prep to a major tournament for these women (and virtually all of the football teams) is the embarrassment… All We saw was the end result of what lack of prep does when it meets a person who is prepared…. and contrary to popular belief in Trinidad, most people in the US still doh know who or where Trinidad is…. so doh fool yuh self into thinking they embarrass TT… only people embarrassed in the US is the Trinis in the US who keep seeing idiots continue to have roles of power and position in Trinidad, make a total mess of things over and over via incompetence, and STILL continue to act like their shit doh stink….
Haha they trying to be big man and say they forced him to apologize! Haha. What they would have fired him? No way! He’s volunteering. These people need prayer! It’s seems as though it’s coming to a place where behavior like this has become acceptable. Lord have mercy on my country
TTFA needed to apologise not the Waldrum. Shame on them! I am 100% certain that this is not the first instance of the coach being frustrated by the ineptitude of the TTFA. He did what was necessary to be able to ensure the team got what they needed. Let’s dream big and hope TTFA has learnt something from this.
Dam straight Zatopek, damn straight.
We are all posting here pretending that we are not aware of the serious problems faced by our sportspersons in securing adequate resources for their development. Where are the billions allocated to the Ministry of Sport over the years? But yet we are quick to pounce on them when they succeed (despite the odds) and pluck them out of the line in the Arrival Hall in Piarco to jump on a motorcade throughout the islands. Ah lie?
“Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference yesterday, Tim Kee stayed clear of pointing fingers at his executive or member of the team’s technical staff but noted that no amount of excuses, explanations could erase what happened on Wednesday.
Tim Kee said it was a mad scramble for funds for the team.”
All eyes will be on the Princesses this tournament. I know that this unfortunate experience has gained them much publicity and hundreds if not thousands of new supporters and fans. Everyone loves a come back story. GO PRINCESSES!