Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
By Ian Prescott
A DEAL has been struck between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) and the Ministry of Sport, which paves the way for the Government to invest heavily in the campaign to get the T&T Soca Warriors to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
A non-TTFF management committee has been set up to handle World Cup funds, an arrangement which has pleased Sport Minister Anil Roberts, who subsequently said he has sent a note to Cabinet, seeking the release of funds for the campaign.
"Once I argue well, there could be $10-14 million per year for Brazil 2014," Roberts said yesterday at a TTFF news conference at Jaffa restaurant, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain. "Whatever happens, football development across the country will be handled by the Government. Football is the number one sport in the country."
The new arrangement has also had a positive effect on corporate Trinidad and Tobago. Traditional sponsors Carib Brewery and Telecommunication Services of Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT) have re-committed to the World Cup effort, along with product sponsor Gatorade.
And in the next two days, National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) and a few more sponsors are expected to join the Brazil campaign.
TTFF president Oliver Camps branded the arrangement as "a new beginning for football".
It was announced yesterday that the TTFF had directly distanced itself from handling World Cup funds and qualifying matches by handing over its marketing function for Brazil 2014 to management consultants All Sport Promotions.
In turn, the new marketing managers have set up a high-powered authorisation committee, containing accountants and economists, to handle many aspects of the Brazil 2014 funding.
Stake-holders the Ministry of Sport and the Football Federation each have one representative on the authorisation committee. They will be joined by an economist from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic Bank accountant Ian De Souza, and the chairman, who will come from All Sport Promotions.
The authorisation committee alone will decide how World Cup funds are used.
By directly distancing itself from the management of World Cup funds, the TTFF has struck a deal with the Ministry of Sport and Roberts, who last week chided the Federation for a lack of accountability and promised not to directly give the Federation a single cent for the Brazil campaign.
Roberts said this now paves the way for Government to begin funding the Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign.
Former permanent secretary Karyl Keller will represent the Minister of Sport on the authorisation committee.
"Brazil 2014 is a national priority and we will be giving sponsorship to the hilt. All we needed was accountability," Minister Roberts declared. "All the funding necessary will be given to the authorisation committee. We will now start the campaign for Brazil 2014."
Harford announced that from now on a financial record will be made available of what income was generated from World Cup qualifying matches and whether profit or loss was made. He also promised sponsors that on a monthly basis they will be given an account of where and how their contributions were being used.
"There was enough of an outcry from members of the public and the Ministry of Sport that things had to be done differently," said Harford.