Delay in payment not intentional – Coombs

Football clubs which are awaiting their prize monies from the 2012 National Lotteries Authority National Club Championships have been assured that the delay in payment is “not intentional”.{{more}}

The club championships ended last December, yet there has not been a prize-giving ceremony, to present awards to outstanding participants.

But president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation Venold Coombs has linked the delay to procedural matters.

“…There is no problem with the payment, (it) is just a matter of the procedures in terms of the date ….Procedures cause delays ….That [is] not intentional, but the thing is that the money will be paid,” Coombs stated at a press conference last Tuesday at the SVGFF’s office at Bentinck Square.

“The sponsors have asked for another document, based on the date and the present one and I think they’re in order by virtue of the signature and date… I have to apologize for the delay. Last year, when the new executive had the first tournament, we promptly paid on time and also for the inter-league community competition”, Coombs recalled.

Coombs also confirmed that the prize money for the current Hairoun National Inter Community League competition is already assured.

“… We have the money for this tournament here, but there is no way that you are going to have the leagues and communities get their money and the clubs don’t get theirs. There will be no outstanding payment in that regard,” Coombs confirmed.

Avenues won the premier division and will collect $10,000, with Pastures second and Layou, third.

Richland Park Pride and Joy claimed the first division title and second was Sion Hill.

Coombs, however, said he was not in a position to give the prize monies for the first division. (RT)