SVGFF does not recognize GASA

Another twist has come in the ongoing saga as to which entity has legitimacy to host the annual North East Football League.

The latest is that the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) has acknowledged the organization headed by Otashie Spring and not the Georgetown Area Sports Association (GASA).{{more}}

A letter penned by acting general secretary of the SVGFF Raymond Trimmingham, dated June 2, 2016, indicated the national football body’s position.

“This is to inform all and sundry, and to be on record, our National Governing body recognizes a legitimate and authentic Football body – North East Football League. …We are aware that the executive of the North East Football League is headed by its President Otashie Spring,” Trimmingham’s letter stated.

“North East Football League which is affiliated to the National Federation voted in the Football General election in November, 2015 in the person of representative Trevor Huggins,” the letter noted.

Making reference to the election of the executive of the North East Football League, Trimmingham wrote: “The National Federation President and General Secretary witnessed the election of an executive and the National Executive subsequently endorsed the election due to it being legitimate and proper.”

At the start of this year, both GASA, led by Trevor Huggins and the North East Football League, who named Otashie Spring as its president, claimed that each had the right to organize the annual North East football competition.

GASA, however, indicated that it was responsible for other sporting disciplines in the North East belt.

And since declaring their intent in January, both organizations have carried out activities.

Apart from Huggins, the GASA executive is composed of Julian Williams, vice-president; Desla Campbell, secretary and Vibert Lampkin, treasurer.

Others elected are James Browne, assistant secretary treasurer; Johnny Noel and Antus Wright, both as public relations officers, along with Ilma Sampson and Francois Clarke as committee members.

Meanwhile, the North East Football League executive is Otashie Spring, president; Keive King, vice-president; Linda Bullock, second vice-president and Debson Criuckshank, third vice-president.

Rolando Lewis is the appointed general secretary, with Bradley Ollivierre, the public relations officer and Jasmine Browne and Foster Branch, committee members.

Huggins is a former general secretary of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, who was dismissed last August, while Spring was, last Novem-ber, elected to the post of first vice-president of the SVGFF.(RT)