Wendell Lai Hing, heads a strong slate announced by the Movement for Aquatic Success (MAS) to contest the elections of the Amateur Swimming Association of T&T (ASATT) scheduled for October 14.
Lai Hing, a FINA certified referee and a member of the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) technical committee, who had previously indicated his intention to challenge Joseph Mc Leod for the president position, expressed pride and satisfaction in his team as they were all announced at the campaign launch at the Centre of Excellence on Saturday.
The team includes three former swimmers and national record holders in Franz Huggins, Chantal Ross-Thomas and Anthony Edwards.
Huggins who is the local coach of Dylan Carter, will be contesting the first vice president, a position which would see him oversee the technical arm of the sport. He is the owner of swim club Arieos Aquatechs and established over 30 national records.
Ross-Thomas who still holds multiple records despite her departure from competition over a decade ago, will be vying for second vice president, a position which oversees the fundraising aspect of the Association. She also holds a Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Sport Management and was previously employed at the Ministry of Sport.
Edwards, youngest on the team at age 26, is candidate for assistant secretary/treasurer. He also addressed the gathering on his graduation from athlete to professional as an engineer, and also to a coach and administrator. He identified how the sport assisted in his personal development, and indicated the various challenges he would have encountered and promised to be "a voice for coaches and swimmers."
Jason Wickham who previously served from 2006 - 2011 as assistant secretary/treasurer and public relations officer (PRO) will be making his return to contest the PRO position. Wickham who unsuccessfully contested the president position in 2013 currently co-manages the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool Complex and has stated he wishes to contribute to transform the image of the Association.
Rounding off the team are Andrea Brache and Indardeo Maharaj. Brache will be contesting secretary while Maharaj's position is treasurer. Brache is the holder of an Executive Masters in Sport Management and has 14 years experience in Sport Administration and has been an active volunteer at the club level. Maharaj also is a volunteer within the fraternity with decades of experience in the corporate world and is the managing director of his own business.
The gathering included learn to swim instructors, water polo and swim coaches and administrators, parents, technical officials and even athletes current and past. Among those in the audience were two time Olympian Sharntelle Mc Lean, 2016 Olympic qualifier Cherelle Thompson, former president of ASATT and coach of Tidal Wave Aquatics Hazel Haynes and long-time learn to swim and competitive coach Ralph "Linky" Yearwood.
Lai Hing was pleased at the turnout which saw persons express their views. Among the issues raised were the general democracy of ASATT, transparency, the emasculation of council as it relates to decision making, lack of proper planning and the National Aquatic Centre.
While the constitution of ASATT provides that the term of the officers of the association shall be one year, the last election was held on October 31, 2013. At the October 14t election the audited accounts of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are expected to be presented.
Team MAS
President: Wendell Lai Hing
1st Vice President: Franz Huggins
2nd Vice President:
Chantal Ross Thomas
Secretary: Andrea Brache
Treasurer: Indardeo Maharaj
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Anthony Edwards
Public Relations Officer:
Jason Wickham
The current executive comprises:
President: Joseph Mc Leod
1st Vice President: Gregory Mitchell
2nd Vice President: Gordon Borde
Secretary: Gary Morales
Treasurer: David Calcutt
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Francis Sampson