The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has issued a response to a recent newspaper article in which it challenges claims by the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) about its financial contribution to local cricket.
In a media release, the TTCB first thanked the Ministry of Sport for its support over the years.
It added however, that, “ in relation to the article mentioned, it was suggested that SPORTT spent just over $3.2m on cricket for the current financial year in several different areas.”
The release added: In relation to that article the TTCB wishes to provide the following facts:
* The Elite Assistance Programme for cricketers does not involve the TTCB. The selection of the athletes in this initiative and their responsibilities under the programme are not known to the TTCB. Checks with national cricketers at all levels seem to suggest that none of them were enlisted in this programme for 2012/2013. The TTCB is totally unaware of the programme for 2012/13.
* The Red Force will be making its fourth Champions League T20 appearance in a few weeks. In none of the last three appearances was any financial assistance given to the TTCB to specifically prepare the team for participation in said tournament. The statement that the TTCB was reimbursed for CLT20 expenses is erroneous.
* The TTCB has not received any reimbursement for recurrent expenses for the current financial year. The Women’s Association however, has received a cheque for $150,752.40 (dated July 1, 2013) representing reimbursement for the period October to December 2012. The TTWCA also got support for airfare to South Africa for a tour amounting to $289,360. A total of $440,112.40 was given to women’s cricket for the period mentioned.
* SPORTT fully supported the CEO’s attendance at the London Conference costing $36,581.34. This was also paid as a reimbursement.
* The amount of $77,000 was paid to Cascadia Hotel in relation to the West Indies Umpires Conference, which was held at Cascadia earlier this year.
* This figures adds up to $553,693.74. In November of 2012 the TTCB signed a Service Level Agreement with SPORTT for $3.1m for the current year but to date the TTCB has not received any funding from SPORTT in relation to the SLA.
* Whilst claims of support to cricket have been made by SPORTT, none of these were done through the TTCB nor were they in relation to the SLA. The TTCB is unaware of SPORTT’s support to cricket as claimed in the article. However, the TTCB is pleased that support is given to cricket but laments the fact that such support in unknown to the TTCB and request for such funding did not come through the TTCB to the Ministry of Sport, or to SPORTT directly, as per SPORTT’s directive.
The TTCB continues, with severe financial limitations, to carry out its mandate of serving humanity through cricket and, as outlined in our mission statement, to develop and sustain cricket as the most successfully organized sport in Trinidad and Tobago. Our records reflect our work.
* The TTCB is available to meet with SPORTT’s officials to clarify the funding situation and has written to SPORTT on numerous occasions requesting meetings to do so but the letters have not been acknowledged.”