Olympic Committee (TTOC) secretary general Brian Lewis said yesterday he is neither dismayed nor downhearted by the lack of support from his fellow TTOC executive members for his candidacy for the next TTOC president.
Lewis said he respects his colleagues’ rights to their views and opinions. Following a strategic review process that included the national sport organisations affiliated to the TTOC completing a survey identifying their needs, wants, concerns and issues, Lewis noted that the executive developed a strategic plan that proposed a way forward for the TTOC: “I support that plan with one or two points of difference. The major one is I do not agree that the next president should be on the basis of his or her ability to bring money into the TTOC.
“My fellow executives felt that the best way forward was to go out and look for a president who had the respect, knowledge, credibility, experience and ear of corporate T&T, the business community and high net worth individuals. I have a different perspective which is that we can address the financial issue with a focused marketing strategy. I believe that the problem can be solved with a focused marketing and fund-raising strategy.”
Lewis called on national sport organisations to give him a fair hearing to explain that the point of difference is the issue of the presidency and not the overall strategy. Asked if he believed he had the qualifications, character and competence to lead the TTOC at this time, Lewis answered positively: “Do I have the understanding of the Olympic movement and sport in general? Of course I do. Do I have the passion and dedication for Olympism? I do. Do I have the knowledge and experience in respect of the governance of a national Olympic committee within the structure of the regional and international Olympic movement? I do. Is my integrity in question? It’s not.”
Lewis was responsible for the establishment of the TTOC Olympic Academy and Youth camp. He has also been part of the team that has worked on and negotiated major sponsorship, team kit and TTOC partnership contracts. Lewis says the fact that the TTOC executive has not supported or endorsed his candidacy doesn’t mean that his bid is doomed: “I admit it’s a tall order for me but it’s a democracy and the executive and national sport organisations will vote on April 24. All I ask is for a fair hearing before they decide who to vote for. They heard Larry (Romany) during the strategic review presentation on March 14. I am putting my Olympic career on the line by choosing to run for the presidency, rather than seek re-election as the secretary general. I am standing up for what I believe. Larry (Romany), Douglas (Camacho) and the other executive members are standing up for what they believe. That’s a democracy and it’s transparent and open.” Lewis said he is yet to know who Romany and the rest of the executive had endorsed for the presidency. The nomination deadline is Wednesday next week. With the exception of the secretary general, all other positions including the president have term limitations. Romany has served two terms as president.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt