Sports organizations battle for ownership of North East Football League

Two sporting organizations are claiming ownership of and right to host the annual National Lotteries Authority North East Football League.

The Georgetown Area Sports Association (GASA), headed by Trevor Huggins, and another organization, with Otashie Spring at the helm, have both indicated legitimacy to the {{more}}league.

A release from GASA obtained by SEARCHLIGHT last Sunday indicated that Huggins, a former executive member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation and who was employed as that organization’s general secretary, was installed as president.

The release from GASA said it is mandated to administer all sporting competitions in the area, including the North East Football League. GASA’s vice-president is Julian Williams, with Desla Campbell – secretary and Vibert Lampkin – treasurer.

Others elected are James Browne – assistant secretary treasurer; Johnny Noel and Antus Wright, both as public relations officers, along with Ilma Sampson and Francois Clarke as committee members.

In addition, several sub-committees’ heads have been identified to lead the various sporting disciplines and other areas, such as discipline and protocol of GASA.

However, another release, penned by Roland Lewis, claims otherwise.

“Please be informed that an extraordinary meeting was held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 by the affiliates (being the participants of the competition for the past two years 2014 and 2015) of the North East Football League,” the release noted.

The release stated that a meeting was held subsequent to a petition by the affiliated teams and clubs, with petition documents delivered to the then installed chairperson Trevor Huggins on January 1, 2016.

The petition highlighted a range of issues the affiliates face and requested elections within 21 days.

Among the grievances cited in the petition were the lack of interest in youth development, lack of transparency, lack of vision and mission and “having a handpicked executive to spearhead the affairs of the league.”

“Such time would have elapsed on Friday, January 22, 2016 without any response from the installed chairperson of the then North East Committee….This would have prompted the occurrence of the extraordinary meeting,” the release added.

Lewis revealed that the extraordinary meeting was held with the knowledge of the then installed chairperson (Trevor Huggins) and 11 of the 14 eligible affiliated teams and clubs were represented.

It has been reported that president of the SVGFF Venold Coombs and acting general secretary of the SVGFF Raymond Trimmingham were in attendance, along with Lloyd Smith, a community observer.

Reports say that following discussions, it was decided to elect an executive to conduct the affairs of the North East Football League, paving the way for Spring, who is also the first vice-president of the SVGFF, to be elected president. Vice-president is Keive King; second vice-president Linda Bullock and third vice-president, Debson Cruickshank.

The appointed general secretary is Rolando Lewis, with Bradley Ollivierre public relations officer, and Jasmine Browne and Foster Branch being committee members.(RT)