A MOVE is afoot to galvanise the public into contributing to a fund which is being set up to prevent former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Oliver Camps from losing his house and other personal assets.
Camps, now in his 80s and seriously ill, has been given until January 21 by the High Court to come up with $3.8 million to pay Dutchman Wim Risjbergen after the ex-Soca Warriors coach took legal action against the TT FA to secure outstanding salary.
Now after Dr. Sandra Camps, the daughter of the former Maritime General Insurance Company director has written to the daily newspapers making public her father’s unfortunate plight, one prominent sports official has come forward with a plan to help the sports administrator.
On Tuesday, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Azim Bassarath said he was willing to place the resources of the national sports organisation to solicit donations and erase the debt owed.
Bassarath said he felt that it was unfair and underserving of Camps to inherit a debt of the TTFA which has placed in great danger his property and assets, which he has worked hard to acquire throughout his life.
The cricket chief also said he was very concerned about the toll the long legal process and the consequences have had on the health and mental faculties of Camps, who according to his daughter have rendered him bedridden.
The plan outlined by Bassarath would entail a contribution of $1,000 by at least 4,000 persons, corporate entities, business organisations and the like which would adequately cover the amount of the court judgment.
He has also suggested any extra funds derived from the campaign could be donated to Camps to take care of his health concerns.
“I am calling on everyone who love sports, not only football or cricket, to show where their hearts are. This situation appeals to our humanity for a man who has spent more than half a century in the service of sport, having been the president of the national football organisation, is regarded as our most successful national team manager and has been a long-serving member of the legendary Harvard Club,” said Bassarath. Camps’ problems originated from a promissory note he signed as president of the TTFA for $480,000 (US) to secure the services of Risjbergen, after the historic 2006 World Cup where the former top Dutch defender was assistant to team coach and countryman Leo Beenhakker.
Bassarath said the TTCB, which he heads, will be guided by the response of the public to his humanitarian appeal, with the objective of creating a bank account where donations can be accepted for the Oliver Camps Fund, which will be administrated by delegated officers of the Cricket Board to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We are looking at encouraging all the other national sports organisations to play an important role, as well as the general public who support and love sports to make a tangible effort to help a fellow human being, a well-loved and trusted sports administrator who has served this country well over the years. It is the least we can do if we all come together and contribute what is a small amount in the general scheme of things,” said Bassarath.