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The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) will hold elections on Saturday at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Ephraim Serrette, who served as president between 2006 and 2021 before stepping aside to work at the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, will challenge the incumbent, George Comissiong for the top post.
Serrette is at the helm of the “Athletic Alliance” slate. Comissiong has chosen to not field a full slate. Instead, he has invited four persons to run alongside him, their strategic focus being “Pursuing Performance and Progress”.
Serrette (ES) spoke to the Trinidad Express (TE) about his vision for athletics.
TE: How do you assess your previous terms as president and what were your major achievements?
ES: I was able to secure accommodation at the Ato Boldon Stadium where the offices are still being housed. I was also able to incorporate as a not for profit organisation; rebranded, changed the logo and the name to National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAATT).
During that period we saw improved performances, both regionally and internationally. I initiated a Youth Elite Programme which catered for athletes between 16 and 19. That project was sponsored by the NGC to the tune of one million dollars.
We had a three-year MOU with NGC for 12 million dollars. And we had Republic Bank. I reduced the dependency on Government funding where we relied on Government for funding only for team travel. All developmental projects were sponsored.
Also, at the First Citizens Sports Foundation Awards, the association dominated as best performing sporting organisation, winning that title on numerous occasions.
The achievements of the athletes at World Juniors. You had Keshorn Walcott, Jehue Gordon, Machel Cedenio winning gold medals; 2012, one of our better Olympic performances. World Championships 2017, defeating the US in the mile relay and Jereem Richards winning 200 bronze. We had some very high points on the international and regional stages.
TE: What are your plans to take the sport forward if returned to office?
ES: I would have gained great insights from the position I took up after stepping down as president. I believe that could benefit the sport, especially in addressing challenges that have emerged. My strong commitment and loyalty to the athletics community has been the motivator for my return.
With respect to those plans, the Ministry of Sport and Community Development launched an “I Choose Sport” programme. My intention is to collaborate with that ministry to see how we can further develop sport in schools, having the coaches involved so we could continue to churn out athletes to represent us. I have a good understanding of the challenges and could add some new strategies to improve performance.
I want to rebrand again, changing the name from NAAATT to Athletics TTO. That should assist in changing the face and increasing sponsorship from corporate Trinidad Tobago, which I want to use to revitalise the organisation and improve projects and programmes that have been established.
Also, I want to set up a high performance centre. We have to take control of the athletes. As it is now, we have our young athletes leaving Trinidad and Tobago to attend school in Jamaica. And those who are in the US system, we don’t have control over them where performances are concerned.
It’s also my intention to reintroduce our annual meetings. Under my stewardship, we visited the US and brought all athletes who are in that system to Florida for a weekend camp to share the expectations of the association, and would have taken up a medical team to do assessments. Ato Boldon, at one of those sessions, was invited and would have shared some knowledge with those athletes. We also need to work with them to ensure that the necessary funding is provided, assisting them with their applications in a timely manner so they can prepare to represent the country to the best of their ability.
TE: Are you confident the membership appreciates your leadership and will put you back in office?
ES: A number of clubs and individuals reached out to me, asking me to consider coming back into the leadership position because there were a number of things happening. So, I am very confident I would get the nod from the membership.
TE: If voted in, how will your leadership impact upon athlete performance, including a return to the podium at Olympics and Worlds?
ES: We must remember there are only three medals at stake. Over a period of time, there is always some lull because of athletes transitioning and that kind of stuff. So for me to do that, it means that an elite, high performance programme has to be established in Trinidad and Tobago where we can encourage our athletes to stay. Maybe, having a national technical director who will oversee that programme and work with the coaches in selecting athletes to participate in such a programme.
We may want to work with UWI and UTT because they’re not doing anything to attract our athletes to stay home.
TE: Anything else you would like to add?
ES: After my short hiatus, I have a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the association. That augurs well for the future of the sport.
In tomorrow’s Express, Comissiong will share his proposed plans for T&T athletics.
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