TTSL election: Ottley sees potential abuse of power; Look Loy opts for silence

With the clock on the walls of the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva ticking down to tomorrow’s Trinidad and Tobago Super League’s (TTSL) inaugural election, interim president Keith Look Loy went on the offensive against his challenger, Ryan Ottley.

And then went under the radar.

However, despite the charges hanging around him, the 29-year-old interim Vice-president who is challenging Look Loy for the post of president remains cautiously optimistic about his chances of success.

Photo: FC Santa Rosa coach Keith Look Loy reacts to action during his team’s 1-0 win over Marabella Family Crisis Centre in 2015/16 CNG National Super League action.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868

“I can’t say there is 100% confidence [that I will win the election],” he told Wired868. “For me, it is 50/50 and it could go either way.

“You are talking about Mr Look Loy who has years and years of experience in this business, so I would not take it for granted.”

Contacted for a pre-election comment, Look Loy, who rarely shies away from making himself heard, informed Wired868 that he would not be fielding any questions concerning the imminent election, which, a guesstimate suggests, will start around 7.30pm.

Look Loy has proposed a full slate of six candidates, including Jameson Rigues (1st Vice-president), Eddison Dean (2nd Vice-president), George Joseph (Ordinary Member), Clayton Morris (Ordinary Member) and Colin Murray (Ordinary Member).

Satisfied that Guaya United manager Rigues is the best man for the job, Ottley has no candidate for 1st Vice-president and has nominated only two Ordinary Members in Stephanie Guevara and Michael De Four. His 2nd Vice-president nominee is Marvin Wilson.

“We believe that Jameson Rigues was responsible for developing and doing up the business plan. He has the ideas, he knows what needs to be done. So we will support him…”

Photo: (From Left to right) Lt Ryan Ottley (TTSL interim VP), Keith Look Loy (TTSL interim President), Minister Darryl Smith, Camara David (TTSL Secretary), Kester Lendor (TTSL interim Assistant Secretary) and Quincy Jones (interim Board member).
(Courtesy TTSL)

Ottley has presented a manifesto which speaks to many of the issues he sees as important. But challenged by Wired868 to provide more precise details, he admitted to feeling that the TTSL Constitution has some flaws which can be exploited by the person at the helm—whence his reservations about the power the elected TTSL president will enjoy if the status quo remains.

“When we look at the constitution now,” he said, “we understand that the constitution appears to be a dictatorship disguised as a democracy.”

“The president can sign contracts and then come and tell the membership,” he explained. “We want the membership to decide that this is what we want and it will be agreed and signed to. […] We needed urgency but we ended up operating as though it was an emergency. And we didn’t want to end up in a situation like that.”


Stressing that the observation was not intended as an indictment of the interim President, he added that, “We’re realizing that our governing document is flawed in that sense and we will be pushing for constitutional reform to look at those things and see how we can tighten up that and make that better.”

The interim President declined to respond to the specific issue of the potential for the abuse of power by the elected president. However, he had already suggested to selected voting members that Ottley, a Flying Officer in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the current manager of the Regiment’s TTSL team, might not be a good candidate for the post because of his too close links to the umbrella body.

Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams (centre), media officer Shaun Fuentes (left) and new Soca Warriors coach Dennis Lawrence at the TTFA headquarters on 30 January 2017.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/TTFA)

In an e-mail making the rounds among TTSL personnel, Look Loy claims to have learned that “a very high-ranking TTFA official and a female member of the TTFA office staff have personally called [officials of some TTSL clubs] to offer bribes—coaching courses and other promises—in exchange for an Ottley vote.” The correspondence called on the TTSL membership not to be swayed by election promises but instead to hold fast to their beliefs.

Ottley dismissed all claims of interference on his behalf as “mischief,” noting that the e-mail was initially only sent to selected persons within the TTSL membership.

“I don’t have a personal relationship with any administrator in the TTFA,” he told Wired868 in response. “We worked well business-wise to get the constitutional reform to have the TTFA recognise the TTSL.

“That would have been my closest relationship with the TTFA. And that was a basis for understanding the requirements for us to get the sign-off to have that done….”

His manifesto does indeed mention the need for the TTSL to work closely with its parent body. But he insists that such collaboration will in no way threaten or compromise the League’s independence.

Photo: TTFA general secretary Justin Latapy-George (left) chats with TTSL general secretary Camara David at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on 10 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

“The TTFA is the governing body; CONCACAF and FIFA will not talk to the TTSL,” he told Wired868. “They will talk to TTFA who will be like our agent. So, in order to access funding, courses and things that will bring value to the football in Trinidad and Tobago, we will need to involve the TTFA.

“[…] We aren’t giving up our independence. We aren’t going to say you can take the TTSL and do whatever you want with it; (…) however, we aren’t saying that we are just going to fight the TTFA for no reason either.”

He pointed out that his approach was in contrast to Look Loy’s, his focus being on integration rather than division or separation.

Look Loy, a former CONCACAF Technical Committee member and TTFA technical advisor, is of the view that persons external to the TTSL have no place running the affairs of the organization. After FC Santa Rosa’s victory over WASA FC in St Joseph on 9 July, he told Wired868 with conviction, “Let those who labour hold the reins of power.”

In that interview, he expressed confidence that the general membership was pleased with his work as interim President.

Photo: TTSL interim president Keith Look Loy (left) and CFTL chairman Chris Anderson agree sponsorship for two cups for the 2017 TTSL season during a press conference at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 5 June 2017.
(Courtesy Roneil Walcott/Wired868)

The TTSL clubs have asked me to run,” he said then, “not all of them [but] the vast majority have asked me to remain in office. […] People are saying the board has done well, [so] leave the board there and let us go forward.”

Ottley concurred—with a caveat: “In my opinion, Mr Look Loy has done well in the short space of time […] [But] we are not looking at a president for four months or five months again but you are looking at somebody you are putting in position, based upon the constitution, for four years and potentially eight years.”

The TTSL needs, he said, to put structures and systems in place for the long haul and not just the interim. And he insisted that, without positive energy from the general membership, he would not have tossed his hat in the election ring.

The manifesto also stresses the need to get more involvement from the communities and to better integrate Tobago into the TTSL operations; football on the island needing, in his opinion, a turnaround.

“Community-based sponsors” are also mentioned in the manifesto and it explains that the hope is to have the small business owners in the communities sponsor the community teams.

“Whether it is the grocery on the corner or the barbershop or [one of] these things,” Ottley said, “we [will say] ‘We want allyuh to sponsor a team. Just a $1000’ and show them the prize that is to be won.”

Photo: Football fans look on during TTSL Two action between Petit Valley Diego Martin United and Central 500 Spartan at the Diego Martin North Secondary ground on 15 July 2017.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

It is an idea, one feels, which will find favour with Look Loy. And with the 24 clubs, who will all have one vote.

To whom will they hand responsibility for implementation over the next four years? Will Look Loy be rewarded for the many months he has toiled as the League’s interim President? Or will the interim Vice-president win promotion to the top rank to try his hand at running things his way?

In less than 24 hours, Trinidad and Tobago and the TTSL will have an answer.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock….

More from Wired868
TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence Marcelle and his club, Toda-World Read more

TTFA election: Edwards, Murray, Downer and Rigues head “Team Progressive” slate

Eastern Football Association (EFATT) president Kieron Edwards yesterday became the first candidate for the 2024 Trinidad and Tobago Football Association Read more

TTFA apologises to ticketed fans turned away from Canada match, promises free entry to Jamaica friendly

It turns out that the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team were not the only party unprepared for last Read more

Dear Editor: Eve’s renewal shows Normalisation Committee is arrogant and deceitful to the end

“[…] I have no problem with Angus Eve being given an extension. Clearly, he may have had to work the Read more

T&T coach, Eve, gets two-year contract extension; Hadad: “we’re excited for the future!”

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve will lead the Soca Warriors into the 2026 FIFA Read more

Haynes: I’m a “possession-oriented coach”; TTFA unveils new Men’s U-20 coach

Former Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team attacker Brian Haynes will serve as the head coach of the Men’s Read more

About Roneil Walcott

Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary's College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.

Check Also

TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence …

30 comments

  1. Doesn’t matter where the roam… Same shit different Day….

  2. Let he without sin, cast the first stone.. Seems to be a part of the bible, we all seem to overlook. God bless..

  3. No eh… that committee was “interim”. The elections are being held today and Kester is not contesting

  4. Lasana Liburd does be on the ball when it comes to this man tho… thanks for the info Lasana lol

  5. Bass Cleff, Hayden Villaruel congratulations to our boy. Looking good next to our MP

  6. And who knows maybe meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner is still his advisor the same as my dictator president eh. Them really good yes

  7. The man knows the whole ropes of being in power for fifa hand out is years he around the business remember he was ban for life once an got spared

  8. “Avoid such men as these”… gues that confirms it…gotta do my part at least…I better get out there and let my vote be counted one way or the other Earl Mango Pierre…

  9. Thanks for the support of the Super League thus far guys.

  10. I am still waiting for a bracelet the same ones like what the corrupted Jack Warner sons are wearing on their angles to be invented so that when these wanabies presidents and prime ministers are speaking they are wearing them around their necks and anytime they are lying to the people eh, it lights up constantly steeuussppss. Them really good yes

  11. Right now ah cud take the chance with the devil i doh know yes…

  12. This is one time i don’t believe in the saying “better the devil you KNOW than the devil you don’t know”

  13. I know… promise stuff??? Oooohhhh he would NEVER do that. The man is one of integrity and goodwill all in the name of football Dion Sosa…how dare you??? Lmao

  14. People vote for change better they did vote for a sex change

  15. Renee he will win he will promise stuff like the present idiot president your vote

  16. I wait…popcorn in the microwave

  17. Ok Kevin Harrrison……..God speed. Them really good yes

  18. Mango is like the old lion in the wild your have to beat or kill them to take over their kingdom

  19. Don’t know why the old man don’t give the young fella his chance to do his thing now eh,but no and like many others they just like to run the organizations until they are 100 yrs old and no wonder why our football in a real mess steeuuppss. Them really good yes.

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.