RAYMOND TIM KEE, presidential candidate for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), has refuted rumours which indicated that he has connections with former TTFF special advisor and current Minister of National Security Jack Warner.
The TTFF elections will take place on November 11 at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s.
Tim Kee issued a media release yesterday, “emphatically (denying) any connection to Mr Warner and (seeing) these pronouncements as malicious and totally uncalled for.”
The former TTFF vice-president said “one of the main reasons which influenced my decision to contest the election is the fact that Mr Warner is no longer in the TTFF, CFU, CONCACAF or FIFA, and has in fact resigned from all football bodies.”
Interim TTFF president Lennox Watson, in a television interview on Friday, admitted that he will not be seeking the job on a permanent basis. But he threw a jab at Tim Kee, stating that the Guardian Life executive was part of the status quo.
“It is ironic that I have been out and away from football, for three years and those who were in the bowels of the administration with Warner can now attempt to identify me as “status quo”,” commented Tim Kee. “Those who serve to perpetrate this falsehood fully know the circumstances surrounding my departure from the TTFF executive and should refrain from trying to sully a reputation which I have worked hard to build.”
Thus far, four of the six regional associations have pledged their support to Tim Kee, including the Central Football Association (CFA), Tobago Football Association (TFA) and the Eastern Football Association (EFA).
He also expressed concern that TTFF employees are allegedly campaigning for candidates by soliciting delegates and planning platform meetings, and labelled such behaviour as unethical.
“Appointed and employed officers of the Federation should remain neutral in order to ensure a free and fair election,” Tim Kee stressed. “Promises of continued employment should not sway those in sensitive positions from acting in an honourable manner.”
Tim Kee reiterated that if elected, he is prepared to work with all to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago football returns to a state of accountability and transparency while ensuring development at all levels.
In related news Colin Murray, who was nominated by the North Zone, was unavailable for comment yesterday about his candidacy and his plans for the TTFF.
-Joel Bailey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt
