Dr. João Havelange Centre of Excellence
| Founder(s) | Jack Warner |
|---|---|
| Established | 1998 |
| Owner | Disputed |
| Location | Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Coordinates | 10°38′29″N 61°23′01″W / 10.64131°N 61.38368°W |
| Website | http://www.coetnt.com |
The Dr. João Havelange Centre of Excellence is a football academy and development suite on the outskirts of Port-of-Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. It is named after João Havelange, the former President of FIFA and the Brazilian Football Confederation.
The centre was the idea of Trinidadian MP and CONCACAF President (1990–2011) Jack Warner. The company was registered in October 1996, during FIFA President João Havelange's reign. A second company was registered with the same name in July 1999.
The centre was funded by CONCACAF's development money for a four-year presidential term and also required funding from FIFA. It was first used in 1998 (officially opening in December 1999) and is CONCACAF's only development centre.
At the planning stage Warner valued the cost of the work would be £16million USD. The FIFA development budget between 1999 and 2002 for the CONCACAF region was $10million USD. In addition, FIFA secured a $6million USD loan from Union Bank of Switzerland, and paid it when no payment came from Caribbean Football Union or CONCACAF. Warner said that the centre is named after João Havelange for agreeing to fund the development.
The development, despite being paid for by football bodies was registered in the name of Warner-owned two companies.
In 2001, a FIFA goal programme, headed by Warner invested $400k in an indoor facility at the site, in addition FIFA provided a further $100k in a futsal-related 'special fund' and CONCACAF raised $143k. Four years later, a second FIFA goal programme, again headed by Warner invested a further $400k for a new artificial pitch.
Investigative journalist Lasana Liburd reported that Warner owned the Centre of Excellence through two companies; CCAM and Company, and Renraw Investments. Warner and his wife, Maureen are listed as directors for both companies. Also, the land upon which the Centre of Excllence was built, is also owned by Warner. Ownership was transferred to him and Renraw Investments from Syrian businessman and Trinidad's Guardian newspaper owner Dr. Anthony Norman Sabga and FirstCaribbean International Bank director Michael Kelvin Mansoo in October 1998.
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