MAS slate unveiled for ASATT elections

Wendell Lai Hing, a FINA certified referee and a member of the CCCAN (Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation) technical committee who had previously indicated his intention to challenge Joseph Mc Leod for the presidency, expressed pride and satisfaction in his team as they were all announced at the campaign launch which happened at the Centre of Excellence on Republic Day.

The team includes three former swimmers and national record holders in Franz Huggins, Chantal Ross-Thomas and Anthony Edwards. Huggins, who is the local coach of Olympian Dylan Carter, will be contesting the position of 1st vice president, a position which would see him oversee the technical arm of the sport.

He is the owner of swim club Arieos Aquatechs and established over 30 national records.

Ross-Thomas, who still holds multiple records despite her departure from competition over a decade ago, will be contesting the post of 2nd vice president, a position which oversees the fundraising aspect of the Association. She also holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Sport Management and was previously employed at the Ministry of Sport. She addressed the gathering on Good Governance and Financial Independence.

Edwards, the youngest on the team at age 26, is the candidate for Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. He also addressed the gathering on his graduation from athlete to professional as an engineer, and also to a coach and administrator.

He identified how the sport assisted in his personal development, and indicated the various challenges he encountered and promised to be “a voice for coaches and swimmers”.

Jason Wickham, who served from 2006 - 2011 as ASATT Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and Public Relations Officer (PRO ), will be making his return to contest the PRO position. Wickham, who unsuccessfully contested the president position in 2013, currently co-manages the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool Complex and has pledged to contribute to transform the image of the Association.

Rounding off the team are Andrea Brache and Indardeo Maharaj.

Brache will be contesting the position of Secretary while Maharaj the position of Treasurer.

Brache is the holder of an Executive Masters in Sport Management and has 14 years experience in Sport Administration and has been an active volunteer at the club level. Maharaj also is a volunteer within the fraternity with decades of experience in the corporate world and is the Managing Director of his own business.

The gathering included learn-to-swim instructors, water polo and swim coaches and administrators, parents, technical officials and even athletes current and past. Among those in the audience making contributions during the open forum included two-time Olympian Sharntelle Mc Lean, swimmer Cherelle Thompson, former president of ASATT and head coach of Tidal Wave Aquatics Hazel Haynes and long-time learn-to-swim and competitive coach Ralph “Linky” Yearwood.

Lai Hing was pleased at the turnout at this interactive session which saw persons get an avenue to freely express their views. Among the issues raised by the audience were the general democracy of ASATT , transparency, the emasculation of council as it relates to decision making, lack of proper planning and the National Aquatic Centre.

Of particular concern to those in attendance are the allegations of “ghost clubs”. This term was coined to describe clubs who are on the Association’s register but do not actively participate in the activities of the Association, and do not have the requisite amount of athletes to be deemed a constitutional member. Lai Hing assured the audience that measures were being taken to deal with this issue should the need arise.

While the constitution of ASATT provides that the term of the officers of the association shall be one year, the last election was held on October 31 2013. At the October 14 election, the audited accounts of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are expected to be presented.

Team MAS candidates:
President - Wendell Lai Hing
1st Vice President - Franz Huggins
2nd Vice President - Chantal Ross-Thomas
Secretary - Andrea Brache
Treasurer - Indardeo Maharaj
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer - Anthony Edwards
Public Relations Officer - Jason Wickham