NAAA President Ephraime Serrette has denied allegations
of financial impropriety in the NAAA (National Association of Athletic
Administration) under his leadership. In the lead-up the the NAAA AGM and
election of officers on Saturday, November, 29, Paul Voisin said as fourth
Vice-president, he was no made aware of the details of the contract signed by
the NAAA and Addidas. The contract is reported worth US $800,000 (TT$5.4
million ) and was signed by Serrette and First Vice-President George
Commissiong on October 17, 2013 for the
period January 1 2013 to December 31, 2016. Agreement became to be effect from
January, 1, 2013. US$200,000 (TT $1.35million) plus vat was to be paid in two
installments on April 15 and October 15 of that year. Among the use of the
funding is provide equipment for each contract year.
Voisin (P ) is also asked Serrette to account for the US
$192,000 (TT $1.3million) in bonuses that the NAAA received from the Addidas
since 2013. Among the bonuses: US $20,000 following Jehue Gordon's gold medal
in men's 400m hurdles at the 2013 World Championships and US$15,000 (men's
4x400m silver medal) and US$13,000 (women's 4x100m bronze medal) at the 2015
World Championships. In addition the US$103,000 from the 2015 Pan American
Games (US$20,000-gold, US$15,000-silver and US$13,000-bronze). T&T won
three gold medals, two silver and one bronze
in track and field. The sum of US$26,000 was paid for the two bronze
medals won at the 2016 World Indoor Championships (Deon Lendore-men's 400m and
men's 4x400m). In addition, following Keshorn Walcott's bronze medal in the
men's javelin at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games the NAAA is set to receive
US$15,000.
However, in response Serrette said all the executive
members were kept up-to-date. "We have made information available to all
executive members where contracts are concerned be it the MOU (Memorandum of
Understanding) with the National Gas Company and Addidas. It was just false
allegations and this is coming from people
who sat around the table. I think it was just unfortunate that they would have
gone that way to question accountability and transparency." Serrette added
that the NAAA under his leadership have kept its records. "Under my
stewardship we have been able to produce statements, audited statements too.
Prior to that they were not statements far less for audited statements."
He said he stands for accountability. "There is no question of
accountability and transparency where that is concerned. When we talk about
governance that is one of my major concerns. After spending 19 years in the
Auditor General Department when you are talking accountability that is right up
my alley." Serrette was speaking following his re-election at president on
Saturday after defeat Paul Voisin 65-32.
Voisin (P ) also said he was not aware of the details of
the the contract between National Gas Company and NAAA which was signed by
Serrette and president of NGC Indar Maharaj to provide funding to the sum of
TT$4 million dollars for the period of
January 2015 and December 17. The funding would be used for : Sports
Development (TT750,000), Administrative Support and Servicing (TT$1,687,000),
Total Participation Growth Programme (TT$500,000), High Performance
(TT$713,000), Capacity Building ($350,000.
The contract states that NGC has undertaken to be a
sponsor of the sport of track and field in Trinidad and Tobago from January
2015 to December 2017. The NAAA is seeking to develop the sport of track and
field in Trinidad and Tobago thorough a programme which includes the improvement
of governance, operational effectiveness and fostering generative relationships
at the community and national levels. The parties agree that the
responsibilities and obligations con tainted in the MOM are non transferable to
any other party without the written agreement of the other party.
Voisin (P ) is contending that these details were not
presented to the clubs nor were recorded in the minutes of NAAA.
NGC Funding and Disbursement Schedule
Appendix 1-Funding Requirements and Disbursement Schedule
January 2015-December 2016
Sport Development
(TT$750,000)
Kids Athletics Programme-TT$164,000
Athlete Support/Non-Elite-TT$72,000
Development meets-TT$120,000
National Jump
Programme-TT$86,000
National Throws Proramme-TT$86,000
Carifta Trials-TT$70,000
Carifta Training Camp-TT$150,000
Administrative Support and Servicing (TT$1,687,000)
Salaries/Stipends for Officers and Office
Staff-TT$400,000
Consultancy and Other fees -TT$360,000
Constitutional Reform-TT$50,000
Operating Expenditure-TT$115,000
Storage Rental and Duties-TT$376,000
Website Management-TT$72,000
Medical Treatment and Services-TT$150,000
Training for Executive and Staff-$100,000
Non Recurrent and Capital Expenditure-TT$64,000
Total Participation Growth Programmes (TT$500,000)
Juvenile Championships-TT$125,000
Junior Championships-TT$125,000
Open Championships-TT$250,000
High Performance (TT$713,000)
World Relays-TT$50,000
World Youth Championships-TT$50,000
PAN Am Juniors-TT$40,000
PAN AM Games (Preparation and Training camp)-TT$313,000
PAN Am Games-TT$60,000
NACAC Seniors-TT$50,000
IAAF World Championships-TT$100,000
Capacity Building ($350,000)
Coaching Development-TT$1150,000
Technical Officials Development-TT$100,000
Other Development Initiatives-$1000,000
Dr.Cliff Bertrand
Olympian
