Newly appointed TTFA president and Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee needs to understand from the first whistle of kick off, the difference in his two portfolios, and not to have one usurp his responsibilities of the other.
He needs to know when to speak and act as the TTFA president, and likewise when he has to be a politician, being recently appointed as mayor by the PNM.
He has received his first red card as TTFA president, via his haste to impress those who gave the authorisation to appoint him as mayor, by stating that the comments made by myself about national footballers having their mobile phones intercepted by the then PNM government, was “ridiculous, completely unfounded and foolish”.
I never knew that Mayor Tim Kee was employed in the SIA during the PNM’s term in government, because that can be the only way he can be so bold to state categorically that the statement about national footballers being intercepted was ridiculous.
However, that not being the case, it clearly shows he is unable to know when to wear his TTFA hat, and that of someone who is singing for his supper after receiving a political appointment.
The contrast in professionalism in this matter was glaring, when Mr Brent Sancho, in response to these claims, immediately put the focus where it belonged, which is at the concerns of the footballers, by stating that he was disappointed “if it was true”, but he needed to get the full scope before he says anything further.
Even MP Donna Cox simply asked for proof of this allegation, and that is an appropriate response to this matter.
However, Mayor Tim Kee seems unable to know when to switch hats of responsibility, and in this matter he has unfortunately totally sidelined the care and concern of the footballers, which should have been his first and only statement as TTFA president, by stating if anything, that he needs to get all of the facts first before making a statement, but instead he saw it fit to be political rather than looking after the welfare of the individuals under his purview.
Mayor Tim Kee needs to be guided that he should be more professional when making statements wearing his hat as TTFA president and not to politicise his post, as it would not augur well for the development of the sport.
I send this not as a politician, but as an avid supporter of sport and the players, as I know when to switch my hats.
Mayor Tim Kee should be guided to do the same.
Gary Griffith
via e-mail