PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Officials said Tuesday a case of misconduct by a national coach will be referred to the disciplinary committee of the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board.
It follows a report by a player of misconduct against the coach during a regional age group tournament earlier this year.
A two-member panel of the TTCB was instructed to investigate the matter and chief executive officer Suruj Ragoonath said its findings were serious enough to forward to the disciplinary committee to make a ruling.
“Concluding the initial enquiry by the committee, the [TTCB] sought legal advice and was instructed accordingly…,” said Ragoonath during a media conference called to discuss the matter which has gained national attention in recent weeks following complaints from local officials.
According to Ragoonath the TTCB panel decided “…to immediately refer the matter with all the findings to the TTCB National Disciplinary Committee for further investigation in keeping with the provisions of the TTCB Constitution, principles of natural justice and respect for due process.”
The TTCB Disciplinary Committee is headed by former police officer William Jeffrey and includes former police officer Ingrid Maxwell, business executive Don Asgarali, former national team manager Noel Robinson, attorney-at-law Ajay Maharaj and magistrate Erica Ramkissoon.
Ragoonath was flanked by high-ranking officials of the TTCB – President Azim Bassarath, First Vice President Dr. Allen Sammy, Second Vice President Lalman Kowlessar and Third Vice President Patrick Rampersad at the media conference, staged at the National Cricket Centre.
The officials did not take questions from the Media, but Ragoonath said the TTCB had received a letter of complaint in late August from a national team manager alleging “improper conduct” by a team official and dealt with the matter in a professional manner.
He said the manner in which the TTCB had dealt with the complaint was done to safeguard the reputation of the parties involved, as well as their respective families, and reassured parents and other stakeholders that the governing body is serious about child protection.
“Our development officer has been engaged in providing coaches at schools (primary and secondary), along with all other coaches in our system with Child Protection Certification and Training,” he said.
In addition, he said it is now mandatory for all coaches to present a Certificate of Character from the police prior to being hired by the TTCB.
