Brigadier promises bright future

RETIRED Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Carl Alfonso yesterday confirmed he has accepted an invitation to bid for the presidency of the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA). “It is felt by some that I could assist in the administration of the organisation and I love a challenge,” said Brigadier Alfonso yesterday in a telephone interview from his office at State owned oil company Petrotrin in Pointe-a-Pierre where he is head of security. The NAAA have scheduled their annual general meeting and election of officers later this month and Brigadier Alfonso is expected to come up against the incumbent Ken Doldron, also a former Defence Force officer. But Brigadier Alfonso played down any speculation of  a fight between the the two officers for the top job describing Sergeant-Major Doldron as “a brother officer.” “Some feel that the present president is doing an excellent job while others are of the opinion that I can do better. At the end of the day if the clubs opt for change we will still remain brothers and treat each other with mutual respect,” said Alfonso.

And he promised that there will be no mud-slinging in the lead-up to the elections. The former top Army brass is no stranger to sports administration as he formerly held top positions in the Secondary Schools Basketball Association and the National Basketball Federation. He said he was especially proud of his record as head of the Secondary Schools Basketball Association which he left in a healthy state and which has grown from strength to strength. Brigadier Alfonso said he was approached several years ago to bid for the presidency of the Track and Field Organisation but had declined since he was then president of the Basketball Federation. He thinks now is the right time, with the support and encouragement he has been receiving to unite the fractious organisation and restore its credibility in the face of allegations of lack of accountability and abuse of its constitution. The former top Defence Force officer said that as NAAA president his biggest challenge will be to establish the organisation on a sound financial footing considering that other sports such as netball and basketball also suffer from lack of funding.

“Without the necessary funds the organisations cannot conduct their programmes and plans so every effort will be made to get sponsorship and assistance,” said Brigadier Alfonso. He said he sincerely believes he can make a difference and this does not in any way take away from the contribution being made by current president Doldron who has been criticised by NAAA members for his leadership style. “I think with the support for the clubs I can make a difference and will give it my best shot,” said Brigadier Alfonso. His involvement with the NAAA goes back many years as a representive of the Defence Force track and field team while he was head of the armed forces and he still remains a financial member. “I am an ordinary member and used to attend meetings when I can and still do when time permits but I am not actively involved as much I would like,” said Brigadier Alfonso. He promised a brighter future for athletics once elected to head the NAAA.