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DIRECTV W Connection president and CEO David John-Williams has announced his intention to run for the post of Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 November 2015.
Williams, who is also the vice-chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, revealed his stance via press release tonight. He was not available to face questions on his decision or what it might mean for his role at Connection if he were successful.
Connection is the most successful club of Trinidad and Tobago’s Pro League era.
However, in the release, Williams stated that he wanted to “make a significant difference in local football” and felt his experience and leadership “could be a transformation in the fortunes of Trinidad and Tobago Football.”
“I never came into professional football with the aspiration of taking administrative leadership of the local governing body,” stated Williams, “but having been approached by many colleagues in the football fraternity, I decided to offer myself for service.”
Williams’ declaration could mean the first contest for the local football presidency in over two decades.
Incumbent boss Raymond Tim Kee, who is also the Port of Spain Mayor and PNM Treasurer, has not openly announced his decision to seek re-election but is believed to have done so privately.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Tim Kee was appointed as football president, unopposed, in November 2012 after former boss, Oliver Camps, quit after being implicated by FIFA in the Mohamed Bin Hammam bribery scandal and Colin Murray, the Carib Brewery marketing manager, cancelled his own short-lived nomination.
Ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner subsequently took credit for Tim Kee’s ascension, although the latter figure, who served as vice-president in a Warner-led football body for around two decades, denied the assertion.
Tim Kee’s presidency has been a roller-coaster ride with administrative controversies but also successes on the field.
The “Soca Warriors” qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament within a month of Tim Kee’s presidency, after he appointed Jamaal Shabazz to serve as co-head coach with Hutson “Barber” Charles. And then, under current coach Stephen Hart, the Warriors were quarterfinalists in successive Gold Cups.
The “Women Soca Warriors” also became Caribbean champions and came within minutes of a historic Canada 2015 World Cup berth under American coach Randy Waldrum.
At right is defender Rhea Belgrave.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
However, the list of administrative bungles was even longer and includes—but is not limited to—a mysterious TT$400,000 licensing fee allegedly collected by TTFA marketing official Darren Millien which is under police investigation, the departure of the Senior Women’s Team to a pre-CONCACAF camp with just US$500, the cock-up of a fund raising venture for now deceased footballer Akeem Adams, the suspension of FIFA funding due to an inability to satisfy accounting criteria and, most of all, a longstanding inability to raise financial support for corporate Trinidad and Tobago.
Williams now believes that he can do a better job than Tim Kee. On November 29, the TTFA’s clubs, affiliated leagues and zonal representatives will decide.
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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 don’t know that Harford is going up for the post. I doubt it actually.