TTGF president and general secretary call it quits; Gomez-Burke set to take over

Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president David Marquez and general secretary Elicia Peters-Charles will quit the local sporting body later this month, even as the TTGF grapples with the fall-out from its controversial deselection of gymnast Thema Williams from the Rio 2016 Olympic Test event on 17 April 2016.

At present, Marquez is one of five defendants, including the TTGF, who, according to Williams’ attorneys: “conspired and combined together wrongfully and with the sole or predominant intention of injuring [the dream of Thema Williams] and/or causing loss to [Williams] by depriving her of the opportunity to qualify for the 2016 Olympics and/or by wrongfully […] promoting Marisa [Dick] at the expense of [Williams].”

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago's Marisa Dick performs on the balance beam at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on 7 August 2016. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago’s Marisa Dick performs on the balance beam at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on 7 August 2016.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Williams, who is represented by senior counsel Martin Daly SC, advocate attorney Keith Scotland and instructing attorney Reza Ramjohn, is seeking TT$11.3 million in damages from Marquez, first vice president Akil Wattley, second vice president Ricardo Lue Shue and his wife and assistant treasurer Donna Lue Shue for allegedly breaching a written contract and violating their fiducial duty as officials by giving Williams’ hard-earned “opportunity of a lifetime” to Dick.

Marquez’s decision to quit the TTGF is not expected to affect his role in the court matter while, so far, Peters-Charles was not named in the lawsuit.

Earlier this month, Marisa Dick, who was Williams’ alternate, became Trinidad and Tobago’s first gymnast to compete in an Olympic Games as a direct result of the TTGF’s decision.

However, for undeclared reasons, Marquez and Peters-Charles decided that they no longer wish to retain their leadership roles within the TTGF and have stepped aside voluntarily.

Local gymnastics stakeholders will vote on their replacements at the TTGF’s AGM on Tuesday 30 August 30 from 3pm at a venue to be named.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation officials (from right) Ricardo Lue Shue, Elicia Peters-Charles and David Marquez pose with Sport Minister Darryl Smith (second from right). (Courtesy Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation officials (from right) Ricardo Lue Shue, Elicia Peters-Charles and David Marquez pose with Sport Minister Darryl Smith (second from right).
(Courtesy Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs)

Andy Gomez-Burke, a bombastic businessman and avid golfer, is the only candidate for the position of TTGF president. He is believed to have the support of the current board.

Sharon Lynch Fadahunsi and Rhonda Doopan will contest the position of general secretary while Michelle Abdool and Catherine John put themselves forward for the vacant post of assistant general secretary.

The TTGF has operated without an assistant general secretary since Caroline Rostant retired in 2015.

Gymnastics official Michelle Telfer-Frankland, whose Tots and Tumblers club was among the teams that boycotted the TTGF’s competition and held their own tournament last month, said the rebel clubs failed to put up their own candidate for the presidential position before the 31 July deadline.

“Our very strong candidate didn’t get permission [to run for the post] from a government-paying job at the last minute,” Telfer-Frankland told Wired868. “We didn’t have time to make anyone else an associate member to be put forward as a candidate. I messaged Mr Marquez about an extension for the deadline and he said he would get back to me. But he never did.


“We were not granted the courtesy of an extension.”

Photo: Businessman Andy Gomez-Burke (right) poses with fellow golfer Desmond Ambrose at the Cotton Tree Foundation Charity Golf competition.
Photo: Businessman Andy Gomez-Burke (right) poses with fellow golfer Desmond Ambrose at the Cotton Tree Foundation Charity Golf competition.

The TTGF’s constitution states that all clubs and officers must be given “at least fourteen (14) clear days notice” for an AGM. Since the gymnastics body’s notice was dispatched on 19 July, the deadline for nominating candidates should have been 2 August rather than 31 July.

However, Telfer-Frankland said they will not contest the TTGF’s position on the deadline.

Doopan, who is actively involved in dragon boat racing and a regular gymnastics volunteer, and John, a PE teacher at Holy Name Convent, were both put forward by the dissident gymnastics clubs.

Telfer-Frankland also claimed that she requested, via email, a list of clubs registered to vote at the upcoming election. But her requisition also went unanswered by Marquez and the current TTGF board.

Another oddity is that the financial statement presented for the upcoming AGM represents the year which ended on 31 August 2015. It means that Marquez and Peters-Charles, who came into power in September 2015, now vacate their respective offices without ever having to explain how they handled the body’s assets.

Photo: COPOS Credit Union manager and Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president David Marquez (left) makes a presentation to GECCU president Clarence Harry. (Copyright GECCU)
Photo: COPOS Credit Union manager and Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president David Marquez (left) makes a presentation to GECCU president Clarence Harry.
(Copyright GECCU)

At the end of 31 August 2015, the TTGF’s assets were TT$138,047 in the bank and TT$239,662 in mostly gymnastics equipment.

The upcoming TTGF AGM will address just one tabled motion, which aims to insert a confidentiality clause in its constitution for all members under its ‘Standard of Conduct’:

“Members who serve on the council and/or committees: Confidentiality – All discussions and communications (emails and text messages included) from committee meetings and/or related to issues arising from meetings should be kept confidential.”

At present, Williams’ attorneys have based a significant portion of their client’s case on emails and text messages which, they felt, demonstrated victimisation, hatred and bias as well as arbitrary and high-handed behaviour against the national gymnast.

If the TTGF’s motion is passed, it will make punishable the passing on of such potentially incriminating messages in the future.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Marisa Dick (centre) talks to Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) first vice-president Akil Wattley (right) at a local gymnastics meet at the Tacarigua Indoor Sporting Facility on 23 April 2016. Looking on (bottom left) is Dick's mother, Hannifer Dick. (Courtesy Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Marisa Dick (centre) talks to Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) first vice-president Akil Wattley (right) at a local gymnastics meet at the Tacarigua Indoor Sporting Facility on 23 April 2016.
Looking on (bottom left) is Dick’s mother, Hannifer Dick.
(Courtesy Wired868)

Telfer-Frankland claimed to be stunned that, a year after the TTGF agreed to revisit its controversial constitution, the only adjustment that the current executive seeks to make is a matter of self-preservation.

“My jaw is on the floor,” said Telfer-Frankland. “[The TTGF officials] are there because their membership put them there. But they are saying that what they discuss there, they are not allowed to take back to to their members?!

“In the minutes [of the last AGM], there was an agreement made coming out of the mediation with four clubs, which was headed by attorney Elton Prescott SC. And it was put to a vote and there was an agreement to overhaul the constitution.

“And now we see the only move towards that is a motion for confidentiality.”

Although Marquez and Peters-Charles have decided to step down from their board positions, Wattley, Marquez, the Lue Shues and treasurer Susanne Babooram will remain in office until they are constitutionally due to face the polls in 2017.

More from Wired868
What Wallace won—why the prime minister is shortsighted on TTFA-Fifa tussle

The correlation between intelligence and education is a fascinating subject, although one I don’t feel well positioned to explore at Read more

Borel: UWI/FIFA/CIES sport management programme ‘tailored to include local perspective, which is great’

“[…] This programme has given me the competencies to attract sponsors for the cricket teams in my community who I Read more

You should feel ashamed! Judge dismisses request that Thema pay costs; ex-TTGF president defiant

Former Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president David Marquez, first vice-president Akil Wattley, second vice-president Ricardo Lue Shue and Read more

Judge: Thema endured worse than an act of violence! Wired868 reviews judgment and reasoning behind costs awarded

“Unlike an act of violence, the physical effects of which would wane with time, [Thema Williams] was deprived of a Read more

Team Thema: No comment; Gymnast focuses on TTGF battle as former doctor jailed for up to 175 years

Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Thema Williams will not comment on the sex scandal that has engulfed her former United States Read more

Hush and respect the Court! Thema’s legal team warns TTGF president Gomez-Burke

Thema Williams’ legal team has warned Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president Andy Gomez-Burke to hold his tongue on Read more

About Lasana Liburd

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.

Check Also

Daly Bread: Contrasts of moonlight and misery; the trouble with Manzanilla-Mayaro

In November 2022, part of the Manzanilla-Mayaro road—the once scenic route along the east coast …

145 comments

  1. Everyone should go. They all failed!!!!

  2. Run rabbits, Run rabbits, run, run, run… DOTISH!!!! Lmao. Thema coming for alyuh….

  3. AFTER the Olympics? AFTER the mess they created?

  4. You had that chance to quit in the early part of this fiasco and save yourselves a little dignity.
    All you have done is add more fuel to anger the people of T&T, by your late resignations after all the damage has been done. I the tax payer will have to pay for your selfish and misguided actions, but you and your generations to come will pay with your reputations as the sins of the parents fall on their children sad as it is. The people of T&T will never forget the injustice that was done to one of their daughters, once any of your names are mentioned.

  5. I am very disappointed in the Minister of Sport in all of this. He connivingly albeit subtly allowed this fiasco to take place. My respect to for him is slowly eroding.

  6. About time…..the whole situation was handled poorly and brought hurt and embarrassment to those who were negatively affected by their selfish decision ……

  7. oh God they wouldn’t wipe the floor it’s going to be swept under the carpet as usual. look and see

  8. Wah deh was sticking for?? Long time that should have been done.

  9. It’s bloody time! Never again must we get involved in personality cult because only the players suffer.

  10. They accomplished what they set out to do and now the damage has been done yuh gone!! Bull shit!! someone must be held accountable!!

  11. Used the wrong word wired868…they quit after the SCANDAL…not saga…made a pappyshow of the sport and the local shareholders and looking to run after Dick’s novice like, amateurish display at an Olympic level…talk about bad judgement. A national shame immortalized in the history of the sport.

  12. So they timed the resignation to limit how many candidates can be nominated Lasana ?

  13. after all the shameful behavior and free trip to Rio…. steups.. too little to late but good ridance..

  14. Don’t run from the lawsuit, it’s on you like white on rice.

  15. Because they can’t just resign their positions and escape !

  16. Who’s being sued the individuals or the federation ???

  17. Quitting would not change the injustice that you did to Thema.

  18. The entire board must resign and seek a new mandate

  19. Here is where the Olympic Blight started…………..

  20. Rat jump sinking ship , FINE THE MONEY TO PAY HER , doh run yuh still have to pay anyway

  21. Any sporting body that received government $$$$$ is then funded with the public purse .so the sports minister should tell them that if they go foward with that confidently clause no $$$$$for them

  22. Finally not everyone could handle power smh

  23. The saga continues. …Hope Williams wipe the floor with them ….

  24. They could run but they can’t hide. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord, “I shall repay.” He that sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall hold them in derision. #beready2016

  25. After you all caused a lot of confusion and shattered a promising gynmnast dreams you just up so and walk. God do not sleep.

  26. Sweet T&T .. the only country where you can do as you like and not face the consequences for wrong doings .. just a lot of mouth then NOTHING after

  27. The TTOC should follow suite for not taking a principled stand as the umbrella body for all the athletic disciplines.

  28. They accomplished what they wanted so they could quit now. Why the hell they didn’t quit before.

  29. set vof scamps they should have been gone long time ago crooks

  30. Come on ..RICARDO AND DONNA..please wave GOODBYE..save some face.

  31. They feel that will change anything?? Idiots.

  32. Gomez-Burke has previous involvement in gymnastics?

  33. They still have to pay wicked people

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.