Action threatened against ex-Boxing Board members
Sport Minister Anil Roberts was not present. However, Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) special adviser Boxu Potts yesterday held a press conference at the Ministry of Sport, where he declared that the Minister had instigated audit proceedings, and that in the coming months, fired former members of the Board will have to appear before a tribunal to answer charges that may be brought against them.
"I was advised by the Minister that there will be an audit. The legal agencies will do their work and we will see how this ends," Potts said. "Based on the finding of the audit you will see where the Minister and the Permanent Secretary will take it. A tribunal will be held and based on where this goes, people will have to answer questions."
Recently, former acting chairman Yaqub Abdul-Haqq and ordinary board members Janet Dennis, Mala Nasib and Ricardo Phillip were fired by Sport Minister Anil Roberts, and replaced by newly-appointed chairman, attorney Annabelle Davis, Ruth Marchan, Colin Mills (Tobago) and Neale Greaves. They were accused of not doing their jobs. However, while still a Board member Ricardo Phillip wrote the Integrity Commission, making a complaint with regards to the Minister, Permanent SecretaryAshwin Creed and Potts. Phillip said his position was in keeping within the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and specifically, the Integrity in Public Life Act chapter 22:01.
Former chairman Abdul-Haqq subsequently complained that there was a conflict of interest overshadowing the Board involving special adviser Potts. Among the issues Haqq listed were Potts' contract and his position of influence as it related to his son Giovanni Potts, a major boxing promoter whose fight promotions company has in the past benefitted from Government financial grants.
Yesterday Potts issued a press conference invitation to the local media stating: "Please be advised that special adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control Boxu Potts will respond to statements made by the former chairman of the Board (Abdul-Haqq)."
However, Potts largely side-stepped the issue of a conflict of interest involving himself and the Boxing Board. Instead, he showed documents alleging financial indiscretions involving the fired Board members. Potts subsequently accused several of his recent detractors of similar conflict of interest issues and said the Ministry will act on the accusations. In response to this, Potts was asked that, having known about such irregularities, why didn't he inform the Minister?
"Three months ago, a comprehensive report was given to the Minister and he acted on it," Potts said.
Potts also claimed Sport Minister Anil Robert did not hire him, stating: "I am categorically not a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board," Potts declared yesterday. "I am an employee of the Board. It is the Minister who employs the Board. He does not employ the Board staff. "
However, Potts was named special adviser at the same time the former Board was announced in 2010 by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Board which was then chaired by Dr. Kenneth Sebastian Smith, had not yet had a first meeting at the time of his appointment.
By Ian Prescott
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com