T&T’s women footballers have only to work hard, focus and play their hearts out at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in the United States from October 4-17, after all their troubles and worries concerning finances were dealt with, thanks to Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe.
After reviewing the proposal submitted by the T&T Football Association (TTFA) yesterday, Cudjoe in a meeting with officials of the TTFA, which included president David John-Williams at the office of her ministry in St Clair, presented a cheque for $430,000 to be used to cover cost of airfare, hotel and accommodation, food and beverage, pre-training camp, medical and baggage fees, and other items, for the team and the technical support staff.
The amount represented 100 per cent of the financing requested by the embattled football association. A release from the ministry of sports yesterday revealed that the TTFA met the requirements asked for by the ministry, and Cudjoe met with some members of the locally based squad to gain further insight into their plight.
She learned that there were many challenges being faced by the players, including the matter of outstanding retainer fees owed to the players by the TTFA.
In addition, two key players of the team took to social media to beg for assistance to stage a live-in camp in the USA.
According to the release: “Minister Cudjoe also used the opportunity to highlight the concerns raised by the members of the team, especially as it relates to the outstanding retainer fees owed to the members by the TTFA. In response, the TTFA has committed to pay retainer fees to the players before their departure on September 25.”
The TTFA is set to be invited to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to ensure funds are properly disbursed and utilised.
According to Cudjoe: “The welfare of these players is of paramount importance to the Government and people of T&T. They are our flag bearers and we have a duty to ensure that they are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.
“This national embarrassment could have been avoided and must never be allowed to happen again.”
Minister Cudjoe also took a swipe at the TTFA, reminding it of the importance of proper planning, management, and leadership in the execution of its affairs. She also encouraged the football association to comply with the ministry’s guidelines regarding the timely submission of financials, proposals, calendars and other relevant documents.
According to the release, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs stands committed to supporting national governing bodies (NGBs) to ensure that the sporting industry is developed at the highest standard and maintains transparency, accountability and impartiality as core values of the ministry.