An outstanding debt of $251,000 is allegedly owed to Gary’s Transport by the TT Football Association (TTFA). This figure was yesterday confirmed by the owner of the transport company, Gary Jack, 46, of Rousillac.
Jack said that he had at one time owned five 25-seater maxis but lost four, allegedly due to the non-payment of the monies owed by the TTFA. “I was forced to sell out my maxis because I had to stay afloat. I had loans and other bills and the TTFA was not paying me my money although I went to them many times literally begging them,” Jack said.
“I even had to send a lawyer letter to them demanding my payment but they kept telling me that there was nothing they could do because they have no money. They also gave me a promissory letter that will pay.” Jack alleged that last December for two weeks, every day, he went to the TTFA’s offices demanding payment.
“It was only then that Mr Sheldon Phillips called me into his office and (allegedly) gave me $11,000 in cash and he promised that he would pay the rest in January. From then to now I could never get through to Mr Phillips again,” Jack said. The father of two, also revealed that he was even forced to postponed his wedding in February.
“I pushed back my wedding to March giving me ample time to borrow money from almost everyone to have my wedding. This setback has really cost me and I just would like my money.” When asked why he kept on doing transport duties for the TTFA, knowing that he was not getting paid and causing the figure to continue building up.
“I have been working for them since 1999 and I does really try to help them out and I keep working because they keep promising to pay and I keep telling myself, well right, they will pay me but it is overbearing now,” he said. When contacted yesterday for comment, TTFA’s general secretary, Sheldon Phillips acknowledged the debt owed to Jack but added that he (Jack) was not the only creditor.
Phillips said when the TTFA took over from the T&T Football Federation (TTFF), they were met with about $36 million in debt, with over 100 creditors. “We have been able to gradually pay off some of these debts, close to $28 million. For the Soca Warriors 2006 was close to $18 million and about $10 million in television debts,” Phillips said.
He added that in order to pay off all the creditors, the TTFA is quickly moving to develop additional revenue streams, which he said, will also allow them to lessen its dependency on the government. Phillips disclosed that this will be done through the creation of a new brand called “Soca Warriors”.
He said, “Through FIFA’s Win Win programme we are able to develop the first phase, which is licensing and merchandising of the Soca Warrior brand so the textiles and other items can be sold from the website and different point of sales throughout the country and internationally. We also made a deal with the World Soccer Shop.
“We will also develop our intellectual property, which will enable the TTFA to become more self sufficient. The model that took place before was controlled by one person, who had deep pockets and we have had to depend on the government to help us, coming out post, the Jack Warner era (former FIFA vice president). With the government support, the Ministry of Sport, FIFA and Concacaf bridge, we are able to still maintain our teams, number one in Caribbean and the youth team operating in the competitive level.”
In the third phase of the transformation process, Phillips said is the commercial development, which will allow the creation of a fund, in which the proceeds will go directly to the benefit of the players and coaches. “This will ensure that the two pillars in the game of football, the players and the coaches will be paid on time. Even though we still have creditors, we have a plan and a vision to get out of the mess we inherited,” Phillips said.
It is also alleged that the TTFA also owe an undisclosed amount of money to the Normandie Hotel in St Ann’s. The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) has sought legal action against the TTFA to recover $1.4 million for services for the period August-September 2010. Phillips said that in a bid to restore public trust and confidence the TTFA is currently in the process of compiling seven years of financial records, from 2008 to present, “We will provide a full transparent financial recording system.”
He also said that when the audit is completed it will be published.