Lequay blasts ‘hijack plan’

This according to Alloy Lequay, Chief Executive Officer of the TTCB, is regarded as one of the most experiened and successful sporting administrators in the country.

"They are claiming that the TTCB has no development plans, ideas, and vision for improvement of the game but that is only a smoke-screen behind which to hide their personal agendas," a fiery Lequay said.

The annual general meeting of the TTCB is in October and Lequay will not be contesting the post of CEO again.

Lequay feels the "Friends of Cricket" are capitalising on his impending departure to mount a concerted campaign to make an inroad into the Management Committee of the TTCB, moreso, as the World Cup 2007 is close at hand.

It is also unlikely that Ellis Lewis may contest the post of president as well and because of this the "Friends of Cricket" may have a strong chance to take control.

Lequay said that former national footballer Noel Sammy Llewellyn made the point in a newspaper article over the weekend that Austin Jack Warner "cannot be allowed to own the nation’s two most important sports — football and cricket."

Llewellyn said that football has been hijacked by a certain group who did not have the game’s best interest at heart."

Llewellyn called on Warner, whom he referred to as "the sole owner of the country’s football" to give football back to the clubs.

"I am sure that there are others like Sammy who weep for TT’s football but lack the courage and patriotism to speak out.

The "Friends of Cricket" are trying to ensure that history repeats itself only this time it is cricket," Lequay said.

The outspoken veteran sporting administrator gave a breakdown of persons lining up with "Friends of Cricket," including former West Indies wicket-keeper, Deryck Murray.

"He was our first employed Director of Cricket Development, but gave up his three-year contract after one year for a more prestigious position with higher remuneration in the private sector. He clearly demonstrated his interest is not cricket development," he said.

Lequay also attacked another official, also aligned with the "Friends of Cricket " who he said brought the board’s reputation into disrepute.

He disclosed that last year in Barbados, contrary to the TTCB’s policy, expenditures were made which could not be justified.

Lequay added a debt was left at a Barbados hotel, which proved to be embarrassing when the proprietors demanded to be settled. "The bill was for $2,128, which we had to pay after due investigation," Lequay said.

Lequay said he was also disappointed that Colin Murray is also associated with the group.

"This group has no plan and vision, for after all he sat with us for many seasons to review our National League Competitions and made recommendations for improvement and through Carib Brewery provided generous incentives," he said.

Lequay added that Murray in his role as a director of the newly formed Sports Company, had at a recent meeting at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs seen the TTCB’s strategic plan, three-year business plan and audited accounts.

"He discussed with us club development and zonal management and made no adverse comments.

"He now seeks with others to place cricket in the ownership of one man. My mother would have said to me ‘Son, you do not know that blood thicker than water.’"

Lequay said that the "other defenders of the hijack plan are searching for a place in the sun".

"Most, as members of the TTCB, have contributed nothing in the past, are contributing nothing now and are not capable of contributing in the future. They are followers who exist on the stage of popular mediocrity."

He added that the TTCB recently formed a Supporters’ Club conceptualised by president Ellis Lewis and implemented by our Marketing Officer, Suruj Ragoonath.

"This group, who makes an annual financial contribution will in due course have a structured organisation and will regularly assess our development strategies, plans and programmes and advise accordingly.

They will operate within the structure of the board. These are the genuine Friends of Cricket. They have no hidden agenda," he said.