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“The new TTFA will need to immediately bring the US$30 million sponsorship funds to include receiving (sic) the promised Nike sponsorship millions to avoid the TTFA from being declared bankrupt or avoiding insolvency…”
The following Letter to the Editor on campaign promises made by newly elected Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace was submitted by defeated vice-presidential candidate Selby Browne:
(Editor’s Note: Wallace promised TT$13 million in international sponsorship over his initial three years in office rather than US$30 million immediately, as claimed by Browne.)
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
News of the statements of the TTFA President that there is no money for the TTFA League of Champions launched by my TTFA National Football Committee, which was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors of the TTFA is for me laughable, and must be the least of the problems of this new football administration; after the election of the new President and three Vice Presidents, three weeks ago, that to date, has not convened a General Meeting, Board of Directors meeting, or elected an Emergency Committee of the TTFA.
This cannot be the pronouncement of the President, who must have been misled once again.
This administration is now responsible for providing support funding for not just the TT Pro League and other TTFA Leagues but all national teams and technical programs which are all included in the more than TT$30 million deficit budget approved by delegates at the TTFA AGM held on 24 November. More over, this administration is now responsible for the answers to make payment of the now more than TT$48 million debt of the TTFA in addition to the TT$15 million statement of claim by Mr Jack Warner.
The new TTFA will need to immediately bring the US$30 million sponsorship funds to include receiving (sic) the promised Nike sponsorship millions to avoid the TTFA from being declared bankrupt or avoiding insolvency.
“It is my humble view that any right thinking TTFA delegate attending the AGM would have considered the question of addressing the solvency of the Football Association a major priority before casting their vote.”
One month ago, the Wallace campaign stated that they had commitments of US$30 million from international sponsors alone, with Nike expected to outfit national teams.
I hope the answers to this real concern will be immediately addressed by the new TTFA administration before those questions are asked by the CONCACAF and FIFA and indeed the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Selby Browne
VFFOTT President
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Couldn’t have said it any better Best
It is hugely embarrassing for any former vice-presidential candidate to be making this public statement . But for one who had posed 40-odd financial questions to the administration BEFORE he aligned himself with it, it is nothing short of shameless.
Did you not insist on getting the answers to your questions either before or after spectacularly crossing the floor?
Did you not know about the parlous state of the organisation’s finances BEFORE the election?
Did you ascertain that the organisation had the means to avoid a declaration of bankruptcy post-election no matter who emerged as victorious?
Do you acknowledge that the outgoing administration of which you were a part has any responsibility for the massive debt about which you are so boldfacedly putting questions to the new administration?
Look, Selby, take my stupid advice: keep your mouth shut and hope people forget, oui!