Sports Commissioner Aims to Clear the Air as Sporting Bodies come under fire

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 12, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Sports Commission has issued a statement to say it is not in charge of who gets selected for a National team.

In a press release, The Commission explained  its responsibilities are the summer sports development camps, inter-school sports logistics, and event management, youth sports league, the development and management of major sports facilities, etc.

“There is a great deal of public misunderstanding on the relationship between Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission and the various National Sports Governing Bodies and the various roles of the two entities. It is important for the public to understand how NGBs work,” stated a press release.

The Commission maintained that the national team selection for all sports lies with the National Sport Governing Bodies (NGBs). NGBs are also responsible for, promoting their sport, electing a board of directors from the members of said NGB, and Hosting National championships open to all islands of the TCI.

The press release stated explicitly, “It is the NGBs responsibility to create a written constitution which provides for the swift and fair resolution of conflict and disputes involving amateur athletes and member sports organizations according to stab standards established by the sports commission… The NGBs must also protect the opportunity of any amateur athlete coach trainer manager administrator or official to participate in amateur athletics competition.”

The Commission reiterated that the press release was aimed at ‘clearing up any public misunderstanding.’

The release followed the shocking turn of events at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Barbados and following a barrage of letters about the Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (T3As) which is also accused and recently had to defend charges of gross mismanagement.