TTFA to discuss aid for Whitley

GENERAL secretary of the TT Football Association (TTFA) Ramesh Ramdhan, said the local football body will discuss how it could assist former TT footballer Aurtis Whitley, after the 2006 World Cup player suffered a health scare.

Whitley, 43, suffered a minor stroke, on Friday. The former midfielder, who was a member of the TT squad at the 2006 Germany World Cup, made 41 appearances for the national team from 2000 to 2008. He played for several local clubs during his career including W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh. Whitley featured for Jabloteh for the majority of his career, playing for the club from 1998 to 2007.

Aid for Whitley through the TTFA could be problematic as control of the local governing body is currently before the High Court, after FIFA removed the recently elected executive and installed a normalisation committee to run the affairs. The controversial move has been vehemently opposed by deposed TTFA boss William Wallace who is fighting for control of the TTFA accounts. the normalisation committee is headed by Robert Hadad.

On Saturday, former referee Ramdhan, said, "I was really shocked to hear that, he is such a young guy. I had a very good relationship with him...he was one of the most skilful players I think in TT football at that time and he was always respectful to me. I never had an issue, he was always cool, always smiling...it really painful to hear that he has suffered a stroke at such a young age."

Ramdhan said the TTFA will meet concerning Whitley's health and how it can help.

"We resume work at the office on Monday so I will discuss it...I will try to reach out over this weekend and see if I could get any further information.

"We will reach out to him and his family and personally I will like to go and look for him, wherever he is."

Recently removed TTFA president William Wallace said, "It was a surprise to me and I wish him all the best, I wish him a speedy recovery. I hope, as indicated by persons, that it is a minor one and that he can recover and continue to live a normal live.

"He has contributed to TT football in a major way and it is always sad and unfortunate when our athletes are taken down, whether it is by things like this or worse yet when we lose them, so I wish him a speedy recovery."

Among those who wished Whitley a speedy recovery on Friday were his former coach at Jabloteh Terry Fenwick, now national coach, and former national players Densill Theobald and Kerry Baptiste.