Friday 7 April, Balmain, Couva
At a cheque presentation event at the National Aquatic Centre on Thursday, several elite national athletes demonstrated how funding from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. is helping them to make strides in their respective disciplines.
The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Community Development was present at the ceremony and issued a challenge to NGBs to manage their affairs in compliance with SporTT’s stringent requirements. Among the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) receiving support were the TT Cricket Board, TT Football Association, TT Amateur Boxing Association, TT Sailing Association, TT Netball Association and TT Cycling Federation.
After the respective NGB executive members thanked SporTT and by extension, the Ministry for their continued financial and administrative support to governing bodies, SporTT spoke with some of the athletes about their performances at the competitions for which the NGB received funding as well as their plans for upcoming qualification events.
Endurance rider Akil Campbell who was between training sessions on the day, said he and his teammates are working hard to lift the levels of the endurance team to that of the sprinters, given all the international success of compatriots Nicholas Paul and Kwesi Browne. Campbell was excited to compete in this weekend’s Easter Cycling Grand Prix and looking ahead to the UCI Nations Cup competition in Canada where valuable points towards Olympic qualification.
Soca Warrior Alvin Jones spoke positively about the progress of the national men’s team to the qualifying round of the Gold Cup, adding that the young group has gone unbeaten and registered four clean sheets in recent outings. Jones says the team is energetic and highly motivated to do well and keep Trinidad and Tobago’s football legacy alive.
Boxer Tiana Guy, who is now ranked 8th in the world in the Featherweight class, said she is looking forward to qualifications events in July and October. Guy shared some words of encouragement to fellow athletes to continue to dedicate their time and effort to the sport and also to women and girls, to give boxing a try, even if not for competition but for health and fitness.
The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. disbursed just under $2m to the aforementioned NGBs, most of which went toward preparation for and participation at regional and international competition. The funding was postdated but modernized in that transfers are now done electronically instead of via cheque.
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