The T&T Badminton fraternity had its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua on the weekend but members did not get the opportunity to elect a new administration into office due to a glitch in the association’s constitution.
Navin Gayapersad, the vice president of the current Rahul Rampersad-led association, said on Monday that it was brought to their attention that people interested in contesting the elections must also be delegates of the clubs and this ruled a few members out of the race.
Gayapersad, who has been favoured for the top president position, explained that although the candidates were aligned to clubs, not all of them were delegates.
“This is something that has to be changed at the constitution level, via an amendment. It has been over-looked for many years but on Saturday it was brought to our attention so we must deal with it,” Gayapersad said.
The election has now been set for March 22 at a venue to be determined. However, Gayapersad pointed out that the biggest challenge the membership could face with the coming amendment is if a club has more than two people recommended to run the affairs of the sport.
“As it is now, the clubs have the right of chosing two delegates to represent them. But if a club has more than two persons contesting the elections, then what happens then if the clubs can only have two delegates?” Gayapersad asked.
Gayapersad has already been running the affairs of the sport for the past year after personal reasons prevented Rampersad from fulfilling his responsibility.
Gayapersad’s slate comprises himself, Shiva Persad as his vice-president, Devanand Maharaj (secretary), Salisha Ali (assistanty secretary), Sharon Rampersad (treasurer) and Reynold John and Wilfred Fullerton as the trsutees. He iss et to be challenged by Suresh Gangapersad’s slate of Haydon Bishop (vice president), Janine Reyes (secretary), Daysha Francis (assistant secretary), Terril Barnes (treasurer), Gangapersad (president) and the pair of Anil Seepaul and Melvin Thomas as the trustees.
Gangapersad will be no slouch in the race, being a former national badminton standout player. as well as a trustee under the previous Board. However Gayapersad said he feels confident of a victory at the polls since his work for the past year or so, has shown what he is capable of doing.
Under Gayapersad the badminton association staged 11 local tournaments and five Shuttletime Certification Coaching Courses, as well as a BWF Level One Coaching Course.
He reminded all that since the association had to bring in two persons to conduct the BWF Level One course last year, they have gone a mile further by certifying two officals to conduct the same course when it is held again in the future.