Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago football supporter, Cindy Howe, shares her feelings on the latest TTFA scandal:
Earlier this week, Wired868.com broke a story about the TTFA and its hired associates being unable to be account for $.4M of taxpayers’ money. The story has been followed up by media houses and the various characters in this latest debacle involving the TTFA have each had their say. It’s now my turn to say something.
I am disappointed. I know I shouldn’t be. We’ve been down this road before haven’t we? We can’t forget the Jack Warner–run TTFF shenanigans wherein the “Soca Warriors” of 2006 World Cup fame had to take the TTFF to court to get monies promised and owed to them.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Patrik Stollarz)
Who ended up paying them some of the monies owed? You! Yes, you the taxpaying public.
TTFF became defunct and Jack Warner rides off into the sunset, leaving Raymond Tim Kee in charge with a newborn TTFA to manage. Maybe things will change we said. Maybe football will get the boost it deserves. How naïve!
I am angry. How can football and its players who play with heart and soul get what they deserve when they have to play with empty pockets, empty bellies on subpar practice grounds? Yet, the management of this entity is able to enjoy their salaries and allowances each month.
Every time it comes down to the wire, the TTFA runs to the Government with hands outstretched to bail them out. And bail them out the Gov’t certainly does. Every… time!
Why isn’t the TTFA able to ‘handle its stories?’ Why haven’t they published their financials to date? Why do they keep depending on the Treasury of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and its taxpayers to do what they are supposed to be doing?
I am a supporter of our national teams and athletes. Although I have made my home elsewhere, I am a Trinbagonian through and through and once there is a National Team’s football game or sporting event happening, I am tuning in whether via TV or internet.
This latest revelation of the missing $.4M is the proverbial ‘last straw’ for me, at least where this dysfunctional entity responsible for my national players, TTFA, is concerned. It is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE that they would conduct business with tax payer’s money in such a casual, backward and unethical manner.
(Courtesy Wired868)
I quote from the Wired868.com story: “Charles stood on the pavement when Millien drove up in a black Mercedes. He never got out. Millien instructed the Nissi rep to toss the envelope in the back seat and, remaining at the wheel, he signed for receipt and drove off.’
Who the hell conducts business in this manner? Taxpayers’ $200,000 cash, tossed into the back seat of a car at Movie Towne. Disgusting!
I’m sorry my fellow football fans, but there have simply been too many stories, too many missteps and way too much public money going into the hands of those at the TTFA, Tim Kee, Phillips et al without proper accountability. IT HAS TO STOP!
When are we going to wake up and face reality that our national teams will never succeed as they should if things continue this way? How many more worldwide, public embarrassments, hits to the public purse and boldface lies are we going to take?
Our players deserve better. We have the talent, we have the resources. Why do they have to suffer like this? Why does the public always have to bail out the TTFA?
We must demand better. We deserve a football association that stands for integrity, which will operate with transparency and will seek only the development of the sport of football and its athletes, and not the fattening of its own status or coffers.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Lluis Gene)
So we must use the power that we have. We must use our voices. We must seek a change for our athletes and for ourselves.
Who’s with me?
Editor’s Note: An online petition was started to demand a thorough and transparent investigation into the TTFA’s actions. Click HERE to view it.
New Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron “Bo” Edwards is set to be installed as technical and development Read more
Kieron “Bo” Edwards is the new president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). Edwards, the Eastern Football Association Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has confirmed its list of candidates for the Saturday 13 April Extraordinary Congress, Read more
“[…] We saw an array of talent across the board and not with just 20 players. I’ve said it before Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team’s bid for an unprecedented place in the Copa America tournament stalled this Read more
Angus Eve, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s football team, accepts that his squad will be the underdogs against Read more
Tickets are selling like hot bread actually
Jail too full? – or -friends in high places? – Mafiaoso or Illuminati?
Heard they said they sold 14,000 tickets. Anyone believe that? Sure they’re counting in all the free bees they give to their family and Friends and the Children’s free tickets. Any bets they open the gates on Tues just to try and half fill the Stadium? Steups!!
lets hope the AG don’t investigate this to nah. if he does well is nothing wrong, no law was broken, is the system, the protocol, was the perpetrator…
Keep fighting the fight Kelvin. “Little axe does cut down big tree” Don’t give up!
wow thats a throw back from stanford t20 in antigua
Cindy.. You are so very correct.. it’s tiring but necessary..
I’m in.
Yes Kelvin. Those of us who have info and are in a position to help keep turning a blind eye and shrugging our shoulders. Those who are afraid to lose their so-called friendships, status and perks with people in society and those at the heads of these types of organisations keep their lips sealed and allow the madness to continue. It has to stop. A new beginning is necessary and I hope you haven’t lost faith to keep fighting for better.
I and 12 others spent over 8 years trying to find 200million missing dollars.. We are still looking..No one in a position to help helped.. Disgusting..
Boi!! Do i know my weaknesses. They always said i have Irish blood in me and you know how the Irish famous for their temper especially with two drink in dey head. Lol!
lol Debbie Espinal at least you know your weakness! Cindy Howe glad to hear it!
Debbie your stance is not wrong. Not at all. Your conviction is strong and until the TTFA does better by these athletes you must do your part. There others who feel as you do and I support that. In the same way I support Trin Bagonian attending the game AND protesting while there. I am thrilled!
The thing is Trin Bagonian i am easily riled and i’m not sure how i’ll react when i see them mudders and dem so is bess i stay away. mY Husband not strong enough these days to cart me out the stadium.
Debbie Espinal I understand your position. I had toyed with the idea of a boycott too, but my nieces are going to their first football match (right Lou-Ann Sankar?) and I feel I have to be there for them, and also because I have decided I can use my presence there to get more exposure for the petition. We must all do what we think is best. I respect your decision. I had considered just showing up outside the gate too…we all have a passion for justice and we can still be united in purpose even if some choose not to be at the match on Tuesday.
Trin Bagonian i’m sorry to say as a mark of protest i’ve decided NOT to go to the game because i’m not putting one black cent in their hands as NONE of the Footballers or football itself will see one cent of that money because they will find a way to pocket it. I really wanted to attend and support our Women and many will think i’m wrong for taking this stance but i just cannot stomach watching those thieving bastards walk out on the field with their hypocritical selves shaking the players hands and pumping their chests like if they did something beside fix themselves. My prayers and my heart will be there in quiet support and i know they will take their place in History. Sadly without me.
That’s what we talking about! Roar!
I will be at the match Tuesday with a poster that has the petition link… hoping to drum up more signatures….
I have added the following demands (and also changed the “share link” text. Feel free to comment and I will edit:
Our demands:
1. A full, thorough and transparent investigation into the missing $400K
2. All future payments from TTFA using funds donated by the T&T govt should be transmitted with a proper paper trail via bank drafts.
3. Independently audited financial statements of all past and future monies given to TTFA by the Government of T&T
4. The resignation of Tim Kee, Phillips and Millien for their role in the loss of 0.7 million TTD due to defaulting on the payment of the charter plane for the Soca Warriors pre-World Cup friendly match in Argentina
The share link text has now been changed to:
TT football fans demand transparent and thorough investigation into TTFA actions #missing400k
Time for the grassroots to show our strength!
Yes, yes and yes Trin Bagonian! We’ll put our heads together and outline what’s needed.
Thanks for sharing it. Many people sign but not enough of us share it. It’s really up to us, what we do when we think we have gathered enough signatures. Everyone should share the link and encourage their FB friends to sign. It starts with showing that the number of people who want change is great enough that the PM and govt must not ignore it. Also, if there is anything I should add to the text of the petition, please let me know. Should we list the demands in a numbered list? Should we add that we want the resignation of Tim Kee, Phillips and Millien from TTFA? Should we demand that payments made using T&T funds be transmitted with a paper trail via bank drafts?
Trin Bagonian i’ve sent out petititions to most of my FB Peeps. Many have signed already. What happen’s after that?
Simon Teixeira what you say is ideal, so some advice from someone who actually live with such high morals and values, that when or if you choose that path, you will be choosing to stand alone, you will be choosing to be left behind irregardless of talents you may possess, you will be choosing to be singled out and termed ‘special’. That people will declare admiration of your courage but label it stupidity because it bears too much personal sacrifice. I encourage you in such beliefs but you must know the consequences, it will be cruel to watch you hang your feet in the water when it have crocodiles in the pond, and i don’t warn you.
Fingers need to be pointed at Charles, millien and Phillips they are all in collusion. What businessman throws money in a car backseat and who accepts and signs for money they did not count. All of them in it, you’ll realize Charles say what he did Millien deny and the talk end there.
I’m with you Cindy Howe. It’s time for our voices to be heard and demand the change. I thought i was the lone voice in the wilderness calling for this but it was heartening to read your post. it’s time for the buck to stop. We the footballing Fans must demand the resignation of the entire TTFA Board from Tim Kee go down. Every time this excuse we call a Government bail them out it’s our money going into their pockets. And i blasted fed up. Sick to my stomach watching Tim Kee, Phillips, Millien et all taking us all for fools driving their BMW’s,strutting around in their finely tailored suits while we ketching our arses to to feed their lavish lifestyles. NO MORE I SAY!!! NO MORE!! So who else is with Cindy and myself? ANYBODY??? NOBODY?? Time to WAKE UP my fellow TRINBAGONIANS and BE the CHANGE!!
Thanks Lasana. Fellow 868-ers I obviously strongly believe that we have the power to effect change. So let’s do it…whether it’s in some small way or in a larger capacity…go for it! Already Trin Bagonian has stepped up!
Who will raise their voice? http://bit.ly.investigate400k
I love trinidad football….but iam so disappointed just as so many football fans ,I thought things would have gotten better …but I just cant believe this latest fiasco. …..my goodness, football can’t go on like this….already businesses are not willing to put in financial help needed.Do we really think that people are going to come forward to put their monies into the hands of the ttfa…..i’am sorry but until we get people who are honest and passionate about sports then we will continue down that road…the people involved now just need to let it go…..so happy we have people like david john williams putting every penny he has in this game to give youngsters an opportunity. …because to be honest with all the monies that have gone missing and with players not getting paid on time and not getting bonuses, especially the women’s travelling with 500 US dollars ….I have yet to see any of these officials dipping into their own pockets and taking care of any of our players…never once… thanks david…we should have more loyal , passionate and brave persons like u involved. ..
We must always expose incompetent management and leadership, demand accountability and transparency, and do not tolerate financial inappropriateness.
The days for simply complaining about corruption, slapping those culpable on the hand and rewarding them with new positions, lucrative retirement packages while keeping their spoils have ended.
LifeSport was the last straw for me! $400 million TTD plus, for which no one can account, have just disappeared into the wind. Many of us complained, investigation started, no followup and everybody calm down. The thieves responsible for this financial fiasco have gone silent, living in their mansions, enjoying 2 year accumulated vacations and don’t care about nobody but themselves.
We need to demand a followup status report of the LifeSport scandal and next steps.
Let’s hear T&T roar! If the reckoning has to begin with $400k then let it begin. http://bit.ly/investigate400k
It should start with each of us deciding to say no every time we find ourselves doing wrong. From littering to breaking a red light to driving on the phone. Change your own behaviour first then everything else naturally falls into place. In nature nothing wants to shit where it sleeps.
The question on our minds should be Change.org or thepetitionsite.com – which to choose and then what our demands will be for the change we want to see.
Cindy says she’s disappointed, but knows she “shouldn’t be”. We all must be disappointed in perpetual mediocrity, thievery, and general unwillingness to give of our best for the best possible outcomes for our citizens. Speaking out is the first step. Now each of us who believes that T&T can rise to the top ranks of sport and any other discipline (and be consistent achievers) must act, to help create the changes that are clearly, desperately needed. Thank you both Cindy and Lasana for sharing this post.
Nobody ent call for Tim kee to the bottom to resign yet
It has to start somewhere
Let’s use this seemingly small issue in the greater scheme of things to finally begin the process of fixing this tiny twin island state of ours
There are plenty fires burning. Some people just don’t like the spotlight.
if more people thought this way and acted out this way…..there might be more shame for these ‘chosen’ few to do what they do so well.
So money walk out with the past admin and still money walking out with the present admins .. Time for a tune jail ehm and jail all of ehm
Empty suits running this sport well into the ground.
Good read.
More Lasana?
I am with you Cindy! Let’s be the change that we want to see. Our money has been misused too many times. We all work too hard for it to be squandered like that. TTFA needs to publish its financials, and the GORTT needs to seize financial records of all involved to properly investigate all of the “players” in this $0.4K debacle. Time for the games with our money to stop!
why does nobody go to Jack to reclaim the money? Is he so untouchable?
Apparently. Ask Kelvin Jack.
So .8 million total?
I liked the comment about conducting business in the car park. You already know my thoughts on that Lasana.
Lol. Yes I do Kendall. There is some shared shame with that one. So long as we agree that the TTFA doesn’t get a pass due to the failings of other entities in the mix.
Agreed.
We can’t fool ourselves anymore. The problem is huge and it won’t disappear on its own. Thanks Cindy Howe
It must be destroyed and rebuilt from scratch with a completely new team. There is NOTHING there worth saving.
We need transparency. Tim Kee replaced Jack and I say six in one and half ah dozen in de other. Nothing has change.