The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) is set to receive $8,754,000 from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, as part of a grant of $15 million for the payment of salaries for the 13-man Technical Team.
In a media release yesterday, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs revealed that $6,535,500 has already been disbursed to the local football governing body which covered the cost of salaries for the period January to September 2008.
The statement contradicts that of FIFA vice-president and TTFF Special Advisor Austin Jack Warner, who last month charged that the government did not contribute a single cent to the Soca Warriors’ 2010 World Cup campaign since November 2007.
“From November last year to now, the Government has not paid a nickel towards the team,” Warner said. “The team, so far, has utilised a little more than $24 million,”.
In June this year, at a news conference entitled “In Defence of Local Football”, Warner challenged Minister of Sport Gary Hunt to produce evidence of any payment made towards the 2010 South Africa Project post November 2007.
He explained that the $12,342,000 they received mid-2007, was for salaries and stipends owed for August 2006 to December 2007.
Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs communications specialist, Natasha Nunez, stated yesterday, that the six million dollar payment was made in September last year.
TTFF president, Oliver Camps, yesterday refused to confirm receipt of the $6,565,500 while TTFF general secretary Richard Groden responded with “no comment’ when contacted.
The Ministry revealed yesterday, that the TTFF have not submitted their audited financial statements for 2006 and 2007 which are crucial before any funds are disbursed. “It must be noted that in accordance with existing policy, one of the pre-requisites for the disbursement of funds by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs to national sporting organisations is the submission of audited financial statements.”
The TTFF technical team includes Francisco Maturana, head coach, Anton Corneal, assistant head coach, Cesar Maturana, assistant coach, Michael Maurice, goalkeeper coach, Keith Look Loy, technical assistant, Ikin Williams, equipment manager, Peter Rampersad, assistant manager, Jorge Ruiz, physical trainer, Wayne Lawson, physical trainer, Terrance Babwah, doctor, Michael Mc Comie, technical assistant, Ashton Mills, physiotherapist and David Belgrave, team manager.