‘Tennis group’ gives SVGTA executive ultimatum

The executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association, under the presidency of James Bascombe, was given until midnight last night, February 29 to respond to a request from some parents of tennis players known as the “Tennis Group”.{{more}}

According to a letter from Janelle Humphrey, secretary of the group, if Bascombe had not responded by last night, “steps will be taken to have a properly elected executive in place to manage the affairs of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Federation.”

Bascombe’s response is a prerequisite for a further demand by the group, which is seeking to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Association on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Club House at the National Tennis Centre, Villa.

The letter, dated February 22, 2016, spelt out what the agenda should look like.

Among the items of request are the tabling of the 2014 and 2015 Financial Reports; accounting details for the 2014 and 2015 ITF International Junior Tennis Tournaments; a report on any and all sponsorship received for the 2014 and 2015 ITF Junior Tennis Tournaments; a report on the expenditure of money received from the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines for repairs to be done at the National Tennis Centre, along with copies of all invoices and bills submitted by Sidney Lopez for work carried out at the National Tennis Centre.

Humphrey’s letter informed Bascombe: “However your possible failing to respond to this letter and submitting the requested financial reports will not prevent steps being taken to ascertain how monies received on behalf of the association was spent.

“Mr Bascombe, notwithstanding the absence of an adopted Constitution, we the parents and members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association are concerned that you have failed to convene meetings to address a number of issues,” Humphrey’s letter added.

Among the issues highlighted by Humphrey is the non-convening of meetings to fill the several vacant positions on the executive.

The current executive, headed by Bascombe, was elected in September 2013, with Miles Boyea president. However, Boyea resigned in 2014, making way for Bascombe, then first vice- president to head the organization. Boyea was among several others who left the SVGTA’s executive.

Others who have parted ways were elected treasurer Donnette Lyttle; assistant secretary Cecile Michael-Samuel; public relations officer Roland Veira and committee members Karen Anderson, Onike Spann and Julia Evans.

At present, only Bascombe, elected secretary Niquette Williams-Lewis and committee member Winfield Tannis-Abbott are reported to have stayed on.

It is the second such letter sent to Bascombe, following the first, dated September 15 last year from Karen Anderson, Anthony Boyea, Deborah King, Grant Connell and Terry Ballantyne.

Bascombe had responded via email, stating: “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your request and will be in touch with all, in the not too distant, as to an appropriate date when the meeting can be held.”

However, the meeting was never convened.

The request by the “Tennis Group” has been carbon copied to the Minister of Sports, the Director of Physical Education and Sports, the Grassroots Tennis Academy, Bonan Tennis Academy, Greathead Tennis Academy, Kebajah Tennis Academy, the National Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council.(RT)