Two years into his leadership of the National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT), president Garvin Warwick has stepped down from the post. Warwick submitted his resignation letter on Monday with immediate effect, citing that personal reasons forced him to leave prematurely.

“Generally due to work and family commitments I did not have the time to give my 100 percent towards the sport,” Warwick said yesterday.

“But still we at the board were able to accomplish a lot. We launched a mini basketball programme in partnership with NGC’s (National Gas Company) Right On Track programme that were rolled out in all communities and signed an MOU with UTT to develop a School of Basketball.”

However, he did admit that it was not smooth sailing all the way through but said that the many issues were not the reason why he left.

“Over the last two years we (NBFTT) continuously faced uphill battles starting within our own boardroom. There are a lot of changes that need to be made by the executive of the NBFTT starting with the constitution in order for this organisation to move forward. I don’t have the time to commit fully to the task.”

In his resignation letter, Warwick listed what he referred to as milestones that the NBFTT had accomplished under his watch. It said: “Got seven of the nine zones active after a three year inactive period, lectured 122 coaches in 2014 at Level I, launched four out of five school zones, both male and female as well as under-15, U-17 and U-20 age-groups, completed two years of audits (12-13); (13-14)and this current one (14-15) financial statement is completed.”

Three VPs also resigned

Warwick’s exit makes it four persons overall who have left the executive sooner than expected.

The others are former vice-presidents Daron Lall (technical and training services), Chezette Baillie (communications and marketing), Alexis Browne (organisation and development).

However, Lall’s departure totally contrasts that of Warwick’s as part of his reason for leaving dealt heavily with the mismanagement by the federation under the former president’s watch.

Lall said that the board had strayed from what was promised when they were elected at the annual general meeting (AGM) and he felt the constitution was disregarded.

“The constitution was being used conveniently,” said Lall yesterday. “The president and secretary had openly stated that they purposely withheld information from me. Information which I would have needed to operate as the vice-president of technical and training.”

Another reason for him vacating his post was the board’s failure to deal efficiently with disciplinary problems.

“The inability of the Federation to deal with internal disciplinary issues, including a matter where I brought myself, along with the general secretary and president before the board, has not been dealt with to date.” His exclusion from a number of meetings and being given late notice of meetings on numerous occasions which were primarily held in Port-of-Spain, an issue he brought to the board’s attention continuously as he is based in South, prompted Lall to take such actions.

“I had been excluded from selected elected officers meetings and most of the ones that I had been invited to only give 24 hours or less notice. Due to my location and work obligations that was not enough time to make the necessary arrangements. “Some of the decisions made by the NBFTT, in my humble opinion may seem right to some but the proper process was not being followed, compounded by the lack of transparency.”

He said it affected his ability to perform his duties as vice-president so he officially tender his resignation in December.

“I wish basketball nothing but success, may the sport grow and may the individuals who manage the sport also grow,” said Lall.

Two years into his leadership of the National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT), president Garvin Warwick has stepped down from the post. Warwick submitted his resignation letter on Monday with immediate effect, citing that personal reasons forced him to leave prematurely.

“Generally due to work and family commitments I did not have the time to give my 100 percent towards the sport,” Warwick said yesterday.

“But still we at the board were able to accomplish a lot. We launched a mini basketball programme in partnership with NGC’s (National Gas Company) Right On Track programme that were rolled out in all communities and signed an MOU with UTT to develop a School of Basketball.”

However, he did admit that it was not smooth sailing all the way through but said that the many issues were not the reason why he left.

“Over the last two years we (NBFTT) continuously faced uphill battles starting within our own boardroom. There are a lot of changes that need to be made by the executive of the NBFTT starting with the constitution in order for this organisation to move forward. I don’t have the time to commit fully to the task.”

In his resignation letter, Warwick listed what he referred to as milestones that the NBFTT had accomplished under his watch. It said: “Got seven of the nine zones active after a three year inactive period, lectured 122 coaches in 2014 at Level I, launched four out of five school zones, both male and female as well as under-15, U-17 and U-20 age-groups, completed two years of audits (12-13); (13-14)and this current one (14-15) financial statement is completed.”

Three VPs also resigned

Warwick’s exit makes it four persons overall who have left the executive sooner than expected.

The others are former vice-presidents Daron Lall (technical and training services), Chezette Baillie (communications and marketing), Alexis Browne (organisation and development).

However, Lall’s departure totally contrasts that of Warwick’s as part of his reason for leaving dealt heavily with the mismanagement by the federation under the former president’s watch.

Lall said that the board had strayed from what was promised when they were elected at the annual general meeting (AGM) and he felt the constitution was disregarded.

“The constitution was being used conveniently,” said Lall yesterday. “The president and secretary had openly stated that they purposely withheld information from me. Information which I would have needed to operate as the vice-president of technical and training.”

Another reason for him vacating his post was the board’s failure to deal efficiently with disciplinary problems.

“The inability of the Federation to deal with internal disciplinary issues, including a matter where I brought myself, along with the general secretary and president before the board, has not been dealt with to date.” His exclusion from a number of meetings and being given late notice of meetings on numerous occasions which were primarily held in Port-of-Spain, an issue he brought to the board’s attention continuously as he is based in South, prompted Lall to take such actions.
“I had been excluded from selected elected officers meetings and most of the ones that I had been invited to only give 24 hours or less notice. Due to my location and work obligations that was not enough time to make the necessary arrangements. “Some of the decisions made by the NBFTT, in my humble opinion may seem right to some but the proper process was not being followed, compounded by the lack of transparency.”

He said it affected his ability to perform his duties as vice-president so he officially tender his resignation in December.
“I wish basketball nothing but success, may the sport grow and may the individuals who manage the sport also grow,” said Lall.

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