T&T badminton association in crisis

 Badminton in T&T is in crisis as there is no functioning elected executive committee running the sport. Four of the six elected officers have resigned after less than one year in office. The two executive committee officers of the T&T Badminton Association (TTBA) still holding office are Reno Singh (president) and Randolph Rampersad (vice-president). On Friday, local badminton was thrown in further disarray with the sudden resignation of technical director Wendell Labastide. Labastide, a former T&TBA and Caribbean Badminton Association (CAREBACO) president, is the founder of the Sangre Grande based Shuttle Force badminton club and is well-respected in regional and local badminton circles. LaBastide, the assistant secretary general of the national Olympic committee said he found himself in an untenable situation following the resignation of four executive committee members between November, 2010 and February this year. 

“The election of officers took place at the AGM held in June 2010, between November last year and February this year four members have resigned. The president has since appointed two members. What is taking place is deeply unsatisfactory and not in keeping with good governance principles. It is untenable. The association is currently operating on an unconstitutional basis. There are no minutes to support any claims being made about the ratification of the TTBA Constitution. Mr Singh came in on a commitment to improve the governance of local badminton. I and others trusted and took him at his word. For him to, by his actions, betray that trust is deplorable. I supported Mr. Singh but I cannot in principle condone what is taking place.” Labastide said notwithstanding his strong feelings about the constitutional breakdown of local badminton under Singh's leadership, he contacted the local badminton boss to verbally inform him that he was resigning with immediate effect and that the T&TBA will have in hand a written resignation in time for a planned executive committee meeting scheduled for Sunday.

“It is not that Singh and I don’t have a cordial relationship. This is not a personal issue but one of adherence to good governance principles—transparency and accountability. I have given my situation long and careful thought. I will continue to work in the best interest of the game. But given what is going on. I cannot in clear conscience continue to hold the appointed and volunteer position of technical director.” The TTBA is comprised of 15 clubs, 11 of which are active a roll call that Labastide says points to the fact that there is serious work to be done if the sport is to develop and grow its participation levels.