Cricket Board deny vote incentives

THE TRINDAD and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) yesterday strenuosly denied reports that they have offered clubs hefty financial incentives ahead of the National League elections today.

In a hastily organised press conference at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, TTCB officials responded to a newspaper report that club officials have been approached to vote for the incumbent executive headed by Deryck Murray.

Attending the press conference were Murray, Chief Executive Officer Forbes Persaud, treasurer Richard Williams, manager of the national team Colin Borde and executive members Leo Doodnath, Richard Ramkissoon and William Wallace.

Murray in answering his critics in the Movement for Change, main rivals in the October 31 elections, said the financial transactions of the TTCB were “accountable and transparent” with international accounting firm Pannell Kerr Forster providing accounting and advisory services.

“We are satisfied that our finances are compliant with accounting practices. There is a yearly audit and the figures will show that there is no inaccuracies in our spending,” said Murray.

The TTCB also refuted claims that the south zone election was unconstitutional and revealed that they would be going ahead with the Zonal elections.

Chairman of the South Zone Doodnath, who togeher with Persaud presided over the contentious elections, said he was confident that the results were legitimate despite the threat of legal action by the Movement For Change.

The Movement for Change, front-runners to take control of the TTCB staged a walkout at the south zone elections claiming that 10 clubs who were ineligible to vote were allowed to cast their ballot.

“There has been no action taken by the opposition thus far. As far as I am aware nothing has transpired and we are sitting safely on legal grounds. We are going ahead with the elections and they will be held on Wednesday” said Doodnath yesterday.

The TTCB stated that the finances of the TTCB was spend on its cricketers and various clubs and Zones and would be continuing their mandate.

“The TTCB yearly spends money on clubs for covers and there are payments given to all the Zones and affiliates. It is something that we have done and we will continue to do,” said CEO Persaud.

Treasurer Richard Williams gave his support to the financial credibility of the two audits the TTCB has done thus far.

“Everything seems clear and they do look good. We have initiated a computerised accounting system which at times has work against us. However, the system will improve next year. There are some queries at times but I will raise a red flag and try and get the proper documentation to sort the issue,” said Williams.

The current administration of the TTCB is seeking re-election with the Annual General Meeting being held on October 31. Movement For Change lead by Azim Bassarath has emerged as the main opposition for the Murray administration. Thus far the Movement for Change has gained steady support and have already won the north, north east, central and south west zones at the club representative elections.

T&T Newsday