A TTFF C Licence coaching course organized by the Movement for Football Exellence (MOVE) for 21 to 25 November 2011 is now under threat of cancellation as the deepening political impasse in the EFA has seen powerful elements within the TTFF and EFA refuse to sanction its delivery.
In September 2011, some Eastern FA member clubs (prior to the formation of MOVE) decided to implement a TTFF C Licence coaching course. This decision was taken by the clubs since the EFA administration, consistent with its lack of interest in the development of the game in east Trinidad, had demonstrated no intention to stage said course despite the overwhelming demand for coaching education within its region.
As then TTFF technical adviser and coordinator of the TTFF coaching education programme, Keith Look Loy arranged with the TTFF instructors panel for the course to be delivered between 21 and 26 November 2011.
At least one coach from each of the following twenty-one (21) clubs is registered to participate in the course:
Eastern Football Association
Barataria Ballplayers SC, Carib FC, Creek SCC, FC Santa Rosa, La Horquetta Sporting Academy, Malabar FC, Pinto United SC, Prisons SC, St. John's United FC, Tunapuna Titans FC, Upper Santa Cruz FC.
Eddie Hart Football League
Blue Thunder FC, El Dorado United FC, ES Madrid, Penetrators FC, Petit Bourg Youths FC, Trincity Nationals FC, Trincity United FC, University of Trinidad and Tobago
This course is now threatened by cancellation as the TTFF and EFA continue to deny the instructors panel permission to stage the activity.
On 23 October 2011, Look Loy was unofficially advised by a member of the instructors panel that the TTFF had indicated it would not sanction the course as they "knew nothing about it".
Look Loy duly wrote to TTFF general secretary Richard Groden on 24 October 2011 requesting the Federation's sanction of the course and asking that "politics not get in the way" of coaching education". In the absence of any type of response, Look Loy wrote to Groden again on 2 November 2011. Again, Groden failed to respond.
On 3 November 2011, Rajesh Latchoo, the secretary of the TTFF instructors panel, advised Look Loy that the instructors had "received instructions from the TTFF, that all organizations requesting C licence Courses must do so through their respective football Zone by writing and the Zone will then contact TTFF." On 4 November 2011, Look Loy wrote to the EFA general secretary Neville Ferguson requesting its communication of our request to the TTFF.
To date, 13 November 2011 - one week prior to the scheduled beginning of the course - Look Loy has not received communication from the TTFF or the EFA regarding approval of MOVE's request for this staging of this course.
MOVE condemns this sacrifice of the grassroots development of our people and our football by those bent on a selfish political agenda.
MOVE calls on the EFA and the TTFF to sanction this course so the education of coaches in east Trinidad could proceed. Politics should never come before Sport.
Keith Look Loy
For and on behalf of MOVE