THE National Basketball Federation of TT (NBFTT) has been suspended for six months by the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) for acting unconstitutionally in suspending members Keith Clement and Ikenna Joseph and failing to meet with the TTOC to discuss differences within the local basketball federation.

A letter sent by the president of the TTOC Brian Lewis to the president of the NBFTT Claire Mitchell, dated January 4, said, “We…formally advise that a decision has been taken by the TTOC’s executive to immediately suspend the NBFTT from participating in any approved/sanctioned activities of the TTOC.

“On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, the duly constituted Arbitral Tribunal (Tribunal) of the TTOC arbitrated a dispute involving Mr Keith Clement, Ikenna Joseph and the NBFTT.”

The Tribunal ruled that “the suspension of Mr Clement and Mr Joseph by the NBFTT board was unconstitutional and should be reversed.”

Clement told Newsday, “It is very unfortunate that basketball had to suffer this fate. We have a constitution and a regulation and we need to follow it, there is no exception.”

Discussing why they were suspended, Clement said, “We are accused of going to the media with some financial irregularities of the organization and that was not true at all. They (NBFTT) never presented anything to us. We were never given any documentation saying we are charged with X, Y and Z (or) we violated this rule or that. That was never done…up to now we do not know why we were suspended in the first place.”

Dave Williams, one of the lawyers who represent the TTOC, said Clement and Joseph “would have had an issue, a dispute with certain decisions taken against them by the federation.”

The TTOC letter said, “Though the board of the NBFTT felt that the perceived actions of Mr Joseph and Mr Clement may have warranted disciplinary action, it did not have the right to take such action. The process stipulated in the NBFTT constitution should have been followed.”

The TTOC is also suggesting that the NBFTT make changes to the constitution.

“The NBFTT constitution should be revised to ensure that the language and text support the concept of due process. In order to adhere to the principles of natural justice, it is important that NBFTT follows its constitution and procedures.

“Even if reference is made to the FIBA’s Code of Conduct there should be a clear Code of Conduct governing all conduct at the local level as well as the penalties for non-adherence.”

The TTOC said disputes should be resolved indoors. “Persons who have grievances with the national body should not resort to public displays of disagreement as this adversely affects the image and operations of the national body. No party wins in that scenario.”

“Notwithstanding this order/judgment of the Tribunal, to date, the NBFTT has failed to comply.”

The TTOC’s constitution provides a mechanism for treating with National Sporting Organisations, which fail or otherwise refuse to abide by an Order issued