Source: www.trinidadexpress.com


By Mark Pouchet


The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) will team up with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs to seek a new cycling coach, as the cycling executive admitted yesterday they made a mistake in hiring American Erin Hartwell as high performance manager.
And in response to questions from Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, cycling officials revealed the six-time Olympic and World Championship medallist Hartwell was given the job although he was unqualified and only possesses a US coaching license.

Roberts summoned the meeting with the deputy permanent secretary Ashwin Creed, TTCF executive and reporters from the Trinidad Guardian, Newsday and Trinidad Express, he said, as part of a new policy to have the media to sit in on contentious issues between NSOs and the Ministry of Sport.

Yesterday dealt with the Hartwell appointment and performance with the TTCF executive, including president Robert Farrier, vice-presidents Ian Mc Lean and Gregory D'Andrade, general secretary Joseph Charles Walcott, racing secretary Rowena Williams, treasurer Richard Jimenez, assistant general secretary Betty Alexander, and assistant racing secretary Colleen Farrier.

As members of the former executive, both Farriers, Jimenez , Caryl Kellar, the current advisor to the Minister of Sport, and Mc Lean took the decision to hire Hartwell back in April.
But six months into a two-year contract, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) notified the TTCF in an October 26 letter that they would no longer be providing funding to cover Hartwell's $40,000 per month salary, adding that they should seek "someone who can prepare the Trinidad and Tobago cyclists for successful participation in the 2012 Olympics in London, England."
On November 4, Farrier said he did not understand the decision to terminate Hartwell's two-year contract which started on May 29.

"To my knowledge, the entire executive was totally satisfied with Hartwell. He was a hard worker and brought to us an overall coaching experience and ability, and we were totally impressed with him," said Farrier of the head coach of the T&T teams at the Senior Pan American Championships, the Junior Pan American Championships, the Colorado Springs training camp, the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games. "I don't know who is advising them (SPORTT) but I think they needed to have interaction on this matter. It is unfortunate."
But at yesterday's meeting Jimenez admitted the executive had made a mistake while several members of the executive moved their heads when Farrier (R) revealed that Hartwell was not certified or qualified.

Earlier in the meeting, Farrier said the UCI (the world governing body for cycling) advised the .former executive to seek a person who could develop an overall plan to include toddlers to elite level cyclists. After eight months, he added, they examined over 12 resumes, including former US coach, T&T-born Des Dickie, and selected Hartwell.
He said the TTCF took "extra care" in selecting and formalising the contract of Hartwell with the SPORTT, following the mistakes they made with the hiring of Colombian coach Absilon Rincon.
Farrier said Hartwell was UCI recommended but when Roberts asked twice what was Hartwell's qualification, Farrier said, after a long pause, that Hartwell was not qualified.

"I am putting it to you that an individual who has absolutely no qualification should not have qualified to come into any position paid for by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.....How did he beat out the other 11 applicants when he has no qualifications whatsoever?", asked Roberts, adding that to hire a driver at the Ministry, that person must be qualified.

Farrier said that out of the 12 resumes they received, Hartwell was the best person for the job because the ones who did have certification, did not speak English, although Roberts pointed out that Dickie was well-qualified while the unqualified Hartwell, given the job, did not engage in the daily routine of the cyclists.

Roberts added that the personality problems between members of the executive and other officials should be put aside and they should seek applicants locally and internationally for the post of the national cycling coach. Farrier then asked Creed for his assistance in this matter.