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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.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“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.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
“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.”
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
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.
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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.
I feel u will have to buss that mark because this pappy show going on too long!!
Uncle Earl Mango Pierre this WPL draft is next week and the forgein base coaches aint reach yet!! How they go know who to pick boi!!
Well, we have heard about foreign investigative agencies being interested in him for some time. But there is no formal charge or extradition request.
So, there is no provision in the constitution for Warner to be removed by anyone but the voters at the next election.
I am honestly surprised at this. I thought Sancho would have held firm. Oh well, business as usual I guess
The new life sport is the WPL why allyuh surprised parliament is going 2 dissolve in june so he had 2 get his cash cow up and running before he is on his way out if you open the dictionary under the word hyprocrite you would see a picture of him in his bow tie smiling in a Sharks jersey sitting on top of his goal post mouth adviser”s lap
Oh Sancho… #SellOut #WAFT
how is he allowed to be an MP ? We are still trying to find out why the Australian government hasn’t tried to have Interpol arrest him
He isn’t Chris. He is an MP but he has been out of Cabinet for two years now.
why is that thief Warner still in government ?
They claim they haven’t the money for the action
And we still awaiting a credible explanation as to why.
Yes. No one can make the TTFA go after the money either. It is just trying to be hopeful.
It was already clear that the money was missing and that legal recovery action was indicated. They ignored the judge so what makes you think that they would listen to KPMG?
I can’t see any improvement coming out of this exercise. I would like to think KPMG will find out where our money has gone and an opportunity will be created for us to retrieve it.
But I know that is wishful thinking.
Once again, political expediency trumps common sense and good governance.
Well at least some folks have a conscience and they are resigning Them really good yes
Uncle the way they handle emailgate i feel i have to send them files for u yes!! Lol because i aint able lol!
Ah feel the sports minister is ah PNM to yes.
Tim Kee could fit in to the PP any day . Sancho already contaminated
YoungWarriors Ttff yuh mean politricks ent. Them really good yes.
Politics…. What a joke…..
Adrian Clarke the sports minister have a R 201 the same like Mr. 2 pull or what ent Gordon Pierre. hahahaha Them really good yes.
Tim Kee arranging a life sport for Sancho
Gordon Pierre give meh your files to buss nah ah will show you about we pierres hahahahaha
Yep right now i starting to feel like i have to buss mine yes because like everybody getting through!! Lol but we pierres believe in good principles!!
Gordon Pierre it seems as though meh uncle Tim Kee also have his files to buss to yes on the sports minister. hahahahaha Them really good yes
Tim kee is a boss!! He get everything he want plus the minister show his true colours, that for his cash cow he willing to put his dignity in his back pocket! Uncle Earl Mango Pierre u really say u old police not easy!!
You got to be kidding me Lasana. What de hell jus happen there?