Romany resigns as chairman of Pro League

The 59-year-old Romany, a polymer chemist by profession, will now concentrate his time as a polymer consultant, which he says requires a lot of time away from Trinidad.

“It’s a bitter-sweet thing leaving the Pro League,” said Romany who tendered his resignation at last Thursday’s Pro League Board Meeting.

“It was something I was heavily involved in emotionally, and dedicated a lot of my time to.

“But 14 years is a very long time. Also, I can’t contribute and assist (Pro League Chief Executive Officer) Dexter Skeene as I used to. My job as a polymer consultant has me away, sometimes weeks, and it is unfair to the Pro League.” Joseph Sam Phillip, deputy chairman of the Pro League, will assume chairmanship in the interim while the Board, in the shortest possible time, must find someone who is not involved in the sport, based on the League’s articles of incorporation, that can fit the position as chairman.

Phillip, a former Trinidad and Tobago men’s team manager, is also the League’s representative on the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TT FA).

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to thank Larry Romany for his commitment and dedication to sport, and most importantly for guiding the League through the stages of infancy to adulthood, with his strategic approach and on his extensive knowledge in the field of sport, sport development and professional sport,” said Skeene.

Skeene added that Romany’s contribution to the League “goes beyond words” and that the League wish the now former chairman God’s blessings and success in his future endeavours.

Romany, who has served sport as an administrator for some 35 years, had served two terms (2005–2013) as president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C), one of his many contributions to sport in the country, but not limited to Trinidad and Tobago.

“I think I have contributed significantly to sport in Trinidad and Tobago,” continued Romany, who also had a stint as chief operations officer of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

“I’ve been doing it 35 years. It took up a lot of my personal time, but I have no regrets at all; I’ve enjoyed it.

“But it’s time (however) for someone younger to pick up the gauntlet at the Pro League. I believe the Pro League has a sound future and my leaving is not that I am not satisfied. I’ve tried all that I can to assist in terms of sponsorship and management and I think it’s a different time now, and different things may be relevant to the times we are in.” The new 2017 Pro League season will commence on June 9 and run through to December 17, involving all 10 member clubs: Central FC, W Connection, San Juan Jabloteh, North East Stars, Club Sando, Defence Force, Police FC, St. Ann’s Rangers, Morvant Caledonia United and Point Fortin Civic.

“I am confident that the League is on sound footing,” Romany added.

“It’s just that the economy has made it even more difficult for sponsorship dollars. But it’s a cycle that everyone goes through, and it’s just that teams and owners need to come up with ways to navigate through this time to ensure their future.” (ttproleague.com)