T&T Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith Thread

[Socapro]

Ball now in Sancho’s court
By Andre Baptise (T&T Guardian)
Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2015

New Sport Minister, Brent Sancho, poses with individual awardees at the 5th annual awards of the TT Gymnastics Association on Saturday at the International School, Port-of-Spain.

To be, or not to be sport minister? That is the question. And it applies again with the announcement of Brent Sancho as this country’s third sport minister within five years.
 
There is little doubt that being sport minister is a difficult and challenging job at any time, much less when all eyes are on you because of previous sport ministers and also because of the constant complaints in sport.
 
Nobody complains as much, I believe as sporting organisations. Rightfully or wrongfully, they are never satisfied with something or someone, and perhaps that is the way it was meant to be.
 
However, the role of a sport minister should be one that brings with it happiness and joy for those involved as sport is the one avenue that unites people of all classes, colour and educational background.
 
Unfortunately, it appears that those who control the sport minister in T&T believe that sport is below every other sector and therefore receives the lowest budget, the weakest support and minimum interest until there is success, where the opportunity for showboating can be milked in front of an adoring media.
 
It is imperative, therefore, that a sport minister be objective, and while that is wishful thinking, it is a hope borne out of an abundance of care and appreciation for the many sporting personnel in this country.
 
These persons are not interested in politics of the day, but rather their concern is representation of their country and in this regard, we must ensure that we do our best for them.
 
When our sporting persons succeed, they lift this country like no one else can do. All we have to recall is the mood in this country while our senior women’s team attempted to qualify for the World Cup in 2014. This sort of experience cannot be bought with money.
 
So what should a sport minister do? First, understand the fundamentals, which is, that being a minister in this region is different to others in the world, and secondly being a sport minister in T&T is different to anywhere else. A sport minister needs to understand his role, which is to facilitate sports, and not to dictate to sporting bodies. This has been a common fault of many of our ministers in the history of this country.
 
Perhaps, it is the power in being a minister. But a careful analysis will reveal that you can only have power when you have something which is worthwhile, which is successful, which has achieved and continues to attain high standard, when you start at the bottom, you have to grow in the job. Anyone can talk loud, anyone can shout instructions, but only a few can inspire, only a few can motivate and even less can communicate efficiently.
 
It is not an easy job, nor should it be. It is one where there is a need for both consultation and understanding of various situations and of different needs. No one sporting person is the same, each comes from different backgrounds with special circumstances.
 
At this juncture in T&T, funding continues to be a problem, with many associations crying out for assistance from the Ministry of Sports/Sports Company. Both organisations find themselves under pressure with obvious budget cuts. Indeed, SporTT does not even have a board in place. However a good sport minister would have to adopt the role of facilitator and work the numbers to ensure that where possible, those that need the funding obtain such in adequate time.
 
Priority is needed and institutions like the national sporting archives which, unfortunately, has been temporarily halted, must be resumed immediately.
 
This is the preservation of our sporting history, of which the current minister must certainly be concerned about. Also, as a new minister, there would be many willing to give advice, and this is an extremely crucial area as he will need to tread cautiously on.
 
Sometimes a minister should be allowed to make his own judgement, assess a situation or person and then ask questions. But whatever else, these spots of danger must be carefully observed.
 
My knowledge is that several of those who should not be funded are in fact receiving funds and vice versa. This is one area that a new sports minister should address immediately to stop this unfair procedure. It is all well and good to talk on transparency, but to be efficient, a sports minister needs to work as a team with his permanent secretary.
 
This person is critical, and to succeed, the minister and the permanent secretary must be on the same page, or at least turning the page over at the same time.
 
In this regard, while the sport minister can be sport oriented, a permanent secretary who is independent and has a good understanding of finance and administration is also necessary to produce a quality team going forward.
 
While everyone seems to enter any job with the best intentions, there are always temptations around and being able to avoid existing pitfalls in these positions would be critical. Integrity is critical as there are troubled areas requiring good, sensible judgment.
 
To be a sport minister, one must have the will to succeed in the shortest period of time, because people in sports are intolerant; there is not much of a learning curve in sport.
 
Success is the major yardstick and failure is never an option. A sport minister can be doomed before he starts, if he has limited time, funds, support and lots of criticism. Welcome, Minister Sancho. The ball is in your court.

[Socapro]

Central FC’s co-owner now minister’s adviser
By Gail Alexander (T&T Guardian)
Published: Friday, February 27, 2015

Kevin Harrison co-owner of Central FC football club now Sancho’s adviser

British citizen Kevin Harrison who co-owned (SIS) Central FC football club with Sport Minister Brent Sancho is now Sancho’s adviser.
 
This was confirmed by the ministry and Harrison yesterday.
 
Sancho was appointed on February 2 to replace Rupert Griffith. The latter replaced former minister Anil Roberts, who resigned last year amid the Life Sport furore and corruption allegations concerning that programme. It is under probe by police, the Integrity Commission and other authorities.
 
Central Football Club, “The Sharks”, is a T&T professional football club.
 
It was founded in 2012 by Sancho and is based in California, Couva. It plays in the TT Pro League.
 
After the club’s first season, it built a reputation in bringing football in community events, having completed over 12 projects and had reportedly struggled over the years.
 
In September 2013 the club received sponsorship from Couva-based Super Industrial Services (SIS)
 
Harrison joined the team in 2013 as operations director. After Sancho was appointed, Harrison was reported to have taken over as managing director of CFC since Sancho, as minister, had to separate himself from the club.
 
He was quoted in news reports that the changes would not negatively affect the club and that Sancho would not be involved in the club. 
 
At that time Harrison was quoted as saying while it was a good move for Sancho “politically, it was not the best time to take the position with all the controversy that’s going on.”
 
He said yesterday the ministry had an allocation for the post of adviser and secretary.
 
He said the secretary was under contract and he also had a short-term—about three months—contract and was “just a civilian paid by the ministry” but gets no public service benefits like gratuities or such. He said the contract may be extended depending on when the general election was held and Parliament dissolves.
 
Harrison said he remained CFC’s operations manager and was also continuing the managing director duties. He said he would be able to manage all portfolios since the ministry stint was short term.
 
He said he would steer clear of any situation where conflict of interest could arise and would recuse himself or step away if confronted with that.
 
Harrison said he understood fully there could not be one rule for some people and another rule for others and that the only way the situation might be abused was if CFC got more than others.
 
He said that would not occur. “All clubs would be treated alike and no preferential treatment would be given,” he added.
 
Harrison said CFC, which qualified for the Carib Cup Championships on Wednesday night, had applied to the ministry for assistance since last October, well before Sancho was appointed minister. Efforts to contact Sancho yesterday were futile.
 
Formerly from the UK, Harrison, 52, lives in central Trinidad. His business career includes real estate and giving financial advice to footballers from several leagues.
 
After the 2006 World Cup, he was reportedly approached by Sancho, Kelvin Jack and Ian Cox, who asked for his help with a dispute over bonus payments to the squad.
 
After visiting the region to deal with legal action, he reportedly declined a TT Pro League offer but later helped negotiate a sponsorship arrangement between DirecTV and North East Stars FC, where Sancho was CEO and subsequently both established CFC.

[Socapro]

Sancho backs student-athlete concept
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)
Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2015

T&T Sport Minister and ex-Soca Warrior, Brent Sancho

Sports Minister Brent Sancho is urging the nation’s youth with shared passions for sports and academics not to abandon their quests.

As he worked to break down societal stereotypes, challenging naysayers who believed the concept of a student-athlete could not work, Sancho held firm to the view that merging the two actually cultivated better citizens. They would learn at an early age, he said, the importance not just about time management, but life management.

Speaking at yesterday’s opening of the 16th annual Secondary Schools Leadership Symposium conceptualised and produced by the Sport Desk held at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain, the former national footballer told energised youths, had it not been for the foresight of his parents and coaches, he would not have become the success story that he was today.

Using himself as an example when it came to making life choices, Sancho said he always related how having a love for football and always wanting to make it his profession was achieved.

“I have always loved the sport of football and always wanted to make it my profession. I played professionally in Europe (Finland, England and Scotland). I was fortunate to have the most committed coaches at the youth level, who taught me the fundamentals and instilled a sense of pride in me. I wasn’t just there to enjoy myself. I was representing my family, my school or club and my country. This grounding becomes so important in the latter half of my career. When I decided that I wanted to pursue tertiary education, of course, a scholarship was the avenue as my family could not afford to pay my tuition. I was accepted into Essex Community College, played and studied there, then went onto St John’s University to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology,” he said.

“All the while, I was playing football or soccer as it’s known in the United States, I began to inculcate the discipline required of a student athlete. It’s never an easy task; being a young vibrant person, away from home and out of my parents’ eyesight to buckle down and meet the rigorous demands of academics and sport. I managed to accomplish my goals through hard work and tenacity: qualities I would need to draw on as I pursed a career as a professional footballer.”

Having played professionally in Europe, Sancho said he was able to learn vital lessons on every assignment and was convinced they prepared him for national duty when called to the senior men’s national team back in 1999.

Reflecting, he described it was one of the proudest moments of his career, as it represented the ultimate form of patriotism for an athlete.

“I was fortunate to not only play for T&T, but captain the team in 2002 and a few years later to qualify for the World Cup. I don’t need to remind you of the pride every citizen felt when our tiny nation was among the giants of the world in football. Coming down from the euphoric high of the national celebrations after the World cup, was difficult. There was limitless potential for the team to continue its upward trend and make a name for itself in world football. But that was not to be. Decisions and events after Germany 2006 forced me to reconsider my ambitions as a national team player,” he said.

“I did enjoy a few more years as a professional at home and abroad. My final assignment was with Pro League team North East Rangers. This experience with the club as a player and administrator, demonstrated to me how much more I could contribute to the development of the game locally. When I hung up my boots, I was ready to move into the next phase of my football career, as a team owner. Rather than fit into another club, I made the bold decision to create my own drawing on the experience I gained abroad and seeking to make my mark on local football. Central FC was born in 2010 out of my determination to create a brand that could hold its own in the local market, not just on the field of play, but in the competitive corporate environment as well.”

Turning his attention to the career opportunities that were now available in sport locally, for those desirous of pursuing this path, the minister said he was seeking to raise awareness and understanding of how sport could change lives and of equal importance turn a profit.

But to make this reality, he said, the administrations and management of sport needed to attain higher standards tested and proven by those more successful as there was no limit to what T&T could achieve through sport, but not without discipline and determination whether on the field on in the boardrooms.

“The United Nations estimates that sport accounts for almost three per cent of global economic activity. In the UK, sport generates around 2.5 per cent of GDP and in the United States sport is worth almost US$300 billion annually to the US economy. Some sporting organisations are of such size and scale that they warrant comparison with large global corporations. For example, Manchester United has more than 100 million fans worldwide, while Real Madrid turn over approximatel £400 million per year,” he said.

“The business of sport is indeed profitable, when you consider just those two clubs and the revenue they are able to generate. But there are numerous organisations across the world and right here in T&T that are similar in scale, but no less important in terms of the impact they have on commercial, economic or socio-cultural development of the countries in which they are located.”

[Socapro]

Sancho promises aid for Mt D’Or Ground
Monday, April 13 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Minister of Sport and Senator Brent Sancho made an early morning visit yesterday to the Mt D’Or Recreation Ground to meet with community representatives to discuss their immediate needs and plans for the space.

Sancho was accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Works and Infrastructure and Christine Newallo, Minister of the People and Social Development.

According to Sancho, the tight-knit community’s recreational options are severely limited but he pledged to provide the necessary upgrade to the facility, which will have significant input from the Ministry of Works.

Among the short-term solutions identified were temporary bleachers to provide additional seating for the spectators from the community who rightly support their team in competitive games.

With support from the Ministry of Social Development in identifying the needs of sport organisations in the community, the Ministry of Sport will also provide football equipment such as goal posts to improve the standards of the competitive game. Sancho expressed hope that the infrastructure would be in place in time for upcoming football tournaments in the community.

He also noted the importance of grassroots sport and its contribution to national representation, and highlighted the community of Mt D’Or as one that can also boast of nurturing many young persons who developed into national athletes, proudly representing the red, white and black.

On Saturday, Sancho made an unexpected stop at the Beetham Gardens after noticing youths playing football on a small field while driving by.

The former Soca Warriors defender showed he has not lost his touch though, displaying his “keep-up” skills with the aspiring footballers.

[Socapro]

Sancho lauds ‘huge’ Cable and Wireless deal
Thursday, April 23 2015 (T&T Newsday)

BRENT SANCHO, Minister of Sports, has expressed his delight with Monday’s announcement of Cable and Wireless Communications’ becoming the official broadcast sponsor and telecommunications network for the 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The announcement was made during a media conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain. And Cable and Wireless earned the rights to air the Games from CANOC Broadcasting Incorporated (CBI), a subsidiary arm of CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees).

According to Sancho, “it’s huge, it’s fabulous.”

Referring to 2012 Olympic gold medallist, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott, Sancho said, “all of us remembered when Keshorn Walcott threw the javelin and where we were standing, (what) we were doing. This really brings Olympic sports (closer), which I hope is a start.

“It brings a whole new perspective in terms of seeing it,” he continued. “I can speak on the young people of the nation, being able to see sports in a new way, some of their future stars in the 2016 Olympics. And I must commend the team for putting this together.”

He was also pleased that the athletes, particularly from Trinidad and Tobago, will be in the spotlight for an extensive period.

“I’m excited for a lot of the athletes,” Sancho said. “If you look at some of the spin-offs that will come with a project like this, with athletes endorsements, and really putting the athletes in the forefront - which they should be - it’s really exciting time for athletes.

“We’re now taking the step, some of the major sporting countries go anywhere around the world when it comes to sport,” he added. “I’ve said from the very beginning when I got into the chair at the Ministry of Sport, that we have to look at sport as a business.

This (confirms) what we have been talking about and I look forward to more initiatives like this.”

Asked if he sees this move as a way to get local athletes to improve their levels, Sancho responded, “(recently) I ran into Ian Morris, former 400- metre runner for Trinidad and Tobago. And I remembered the first time I saw him was on (my) old black and white TV and how he inspired me as an athlete. That is the type of inspiration that we’re looking for.

“Now we’re putting it on a wider scale. We talk about mobile apps, we talk about some of the things that our young people are into. We’re now getting to see our stars, every moment before, after and during a race. It bodes well for sports in our country.”

[Socapro]

Minister surprised at NAAA blank by stadium officials
Published: Monday, June 1, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

T&T Sport Minister and ex-Soca Warrior, Brent Sancho

Sports Minister Brent Sancho says he was unaware that a concert booking accepted by the facilities management unit at the Hasely Crawford Stadium (HCS) in Woodbrook forced officials of the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) to reschedule its calendar of championship events originally scheduled to start last weekend.

Redemption II was the name of the concert held at the popular sporting facility which reportedly scuppered pre-planned activities by the national sporting body.

The NGC/NAAA Junior Championships was advertised to take place on May 30.

Sancho told the T&T Guardian he was unaware of any such development and expressed surprise, citing that the NAAA executive didn’t not contact him, at least, in an effort to intervene.

The NAAA issued a media release on May 18, which stated the HCS Grounds was no longer available for its planned meet last Saturday.

A social media firestorm consequently erupted with opponents for and against the staging of the concert. Many wanted to know if the HCS was a dedicated sporting facility or a concert hall.

This, citing that national track and field meets were taking place in preparation for international event such as the Pan Am Games, World Championships scheduled to take place over the next two months.

Track and field events affected owing to the concert booking included the NGC/NAAA Junior Championships; NGC/NAAA Juvenile Championships and the NGC/NAAA Combined Events Championships, together with the Falcons Invitational. All were reportedly pushed back by one week.

These events will take place this June along with the Sagicor/NGC Open Championships on the weekend of 26-28.

Contacted, Ephraim Serrette, president of the NAAA said this was not the first time the NAAA calendar of events was overlooked by the Stadium management for a non-sport related activity.

“Last year, we used the football tunnel as the call room and warm up centre for the athletes. Track and field is an event that takes place inside and outside. Somehow, someone of the Stadium management team does not recognise that. It’s a little difficult for the athletes because of that. We appreciate that we do not have to pay for use of the Stadium and these events (concerts) are the events that people pay for use of the Stadium,” he said.

Serrette added, “We plan very early. We always do. We want to work with everyone, but they have to understand that track and field is inside and outside the Stadium. We book it (the Stadium) at the end of September early October every year. Track and field doesn’t win administration of the year by guess. Track and field didn’t get $12 million from a sponsor (NGC) for three years, by guess.”

[Socapro]

Shake-Up In Sports Ministry
Staff, departments shifted to Education
By Rhondor Dowlat (T&T Guardian)
Published: Monday, June 22, 2015

Sports Minister Brent Sancho with his wife Suzanne and their children Ylana Rose, left, and Jayden during the Tobago Automotive Sport Association TTASA Caribbean Championship Racing at Wallerfield, yesterday. Photo: ABRAHAM DIAZ

Cabinet has given approval for major changes at the Ministry of Sport, including replacing Permanent Secretary Richard Oliver with Gillian Mc Intyre and transferring some departments to the Ministry of Education. The Physical Education and Sport Division, with all its all coaches and sport officers has been transferred to the Ministry of Education, while facilities, indoor arenas, pools and district offices will now be under the purview of the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT).

Staff at the ministry told the T&T Guardian they are baffled at the changes. “The entire ministry is in a mess because staff from the other sections have no idea as to what they are supposed to do. The major department that they support is no longer a part of the ministry,” a member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

“We have not been told about these changes and we find it distasteful and unfair by the minister himself. We wondering now what is next to go. Morale within the ministry is very low. Some of us don’t even feel like reporting to work anymore,” the staff member said. T&T Guardian obtained a copy of the Cabinet Minute No 1049 of May 7, 2015, which confirmed the transfer of positions from the staff establishment of the Ministry of Sport (Physical Education and Sport Division) to the staff establishment of the Ministry of Education.

Cabinet subsequently agreed to the transfer with immediate effect of a director of Physical Education and Sport, an assistant director, a physical education and sport officer II; seven physical education and sport officers I, two games coaches and several other members of staff.

Cabinet also agreed that the Ministry of Sport be the sole source for disbursement of grant funds to national sporting organisations, sport serving bodies and individuals. All requests for financial assistance for overseas travel in respect to sporting events must be submitted for the approval of Cabinet.

The note stated: “Cabinet is advised that the NPI Vote is budgeted to be $57 million for the current financial year. Approximately 70 per cent is expended on overseas travel, which is not related to international tournaments. The majority of requests are last minute submissions.

“In this regard, the Ministry of Sport proposes that all requests for grant funding should be submitted at least three months in advance of the event and that overseas travel must receive the approval of Cabinet. The Cabinet is also asked to note that a list of recipients and amounts received from the grant fund would be published annually,.”

The Ministry of Sport will be responsible for payment of salaries and related costs for permanent, temporary, and contract staff transferred to the Ministry of Education and the SporTT for the remainder of the 2014/2015 financial year. A framework of rules to guide the decision making of the Grant Fund Committee is being finalised and will be presented to Cabinet in the revised National Sports Policy

Contacted yesterday for comment, Minister of Sport Brent Sancho said the changes, although approved by Cabinet, are currently on hold. “We are going to head there but we will need to have proper dialogue because we are looking to revamp and relook at sport policies and structure. We are still sculpting what the ministry will look like. We have to find a way to generate an income through sports as well,” he said.

Sancho said the changes are necessary because a Sporting Academy is to be established under the Ministry of Education. He said the replacement of Richard Oliver as Permanent Secretary was done through the Office of the Prime Minister. “Mr Oliver has served his time as PS and we thank him for that but now Gillian has started off and she has already hit the ground running,” he said.

Coaches needed in schools

The Ministry of Sport has reported the success of the sporting coaching programme in schools to which coaches are assigned. It was determined that there would be a greater impact if there was more direct access to children in primary and secondary schools. These programmes can be better monitored by the Ministry of Education where principals and administrators can have an input into management, supervision and evaluation.

There is an increasing demand for coaching services outside the more popular sporting disciplines, which can be better introduced in the school system. In addition, foreign coaches would be better utilised in unearthing and developing talent in the school system.

At present, the Ministry of Education has requested coaches in 11 sporting disciplines to facilitate programmes in 139 secondary schools and 468 primary Schools. It is estimated that a minimum of 30 additional coaches would be required for a start-up of the additional planned programmes
The Ministry of Sport proposes to partner with the SporTT to design and implement programmes to develop coaches to a certified standard.

[Deeks]

Approximately 70 per cent is expended on overseas travel, which is not related to international tournaments. The majority of requests are last minute submissions.



I also have issue with this.

[Socapro]

Sancho: Sports ministry changes necessary
By ASHFORD JACKMAN Wednesday, June 24 2015 (T&T Newsday)

CHANGE IS coming to the way sport is introduced and developed in the country, and the key element will not be the Sports Ministry, but rather the Ministry of Education. Speaking with Newsday yesterday afternoon, Minister of Sport Brent Sancho confirmed that there is to be a new approach in seeking sporting excellence from the country’s talented athletes in every sport, but he also emphasised that most of what is being contemplated is still in the early stages of planning.

It was previously reported that Sport Ministry personnel, including coaches and sport officers had already been transferred to the Ministry of Education, and that morale was low as a result. Minister Sancho admitted changes were in the making, but he denied any major move had yet been made, saying plans were still being discussed and formulated. “That is not yet decided, but logistically, we would want that (coaches etc going to the Education Ministry),” he said.

“Everything is still at the embryonic stage. Sometimes change would bring fears, anxieties... but we have to start somewhere.”

Sancho said the concept of Education taking over certain aspects of operations that normally fall under the purview of the Sports ministry was born out of the need to meet the country’s athletic talent at an earlier age. “We are on the cusp of a ground-breaking formula. Our objective is to get closer contact with primary school students to play more sport,” he said, adding that as a result, the youngsters would benefit from advanced training in their chosen disciplines.

Among the initiatives would be the development of coaching programmes that would take young athletes from primary to secondary school. “We are not catching the athletes at a young enough age, before they develop bad habits,” the minister explained. Sancho confirmed that as a result, there would eventually be a transfer of personnel to the Education Ministry, but the method was a long way from being worked out. “We got Cabinet approval to set up a steering committee to guide us through the process.” He also confirmed that a sporting academy was to be established; asked whether the University of Trinidad and Tobago would be involved, he answered, “It definitely won’t be part of UTT; it would be something separate and apart. How I envisage it, we would start at a very young age.” Sancho expressed his personal conviction that this is the way forward for the country’s sporting future. “We have to recognise that sport is now a legitimate career path,” he concluded.

[Socapro]

T&T women fly out to Pan Am games
...Sancho’s intervention saves day for footballers
Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

T&T Women Soca Warriors off to Pan Am Games

Minister of Sport Brent Sancho says the threat by some T&T senior women’s team players not to board a flight bound for Canada yesterday would have been realised had it not been for his intervention.

In a telephone interview, Sancho said he convinced the players to take the flight after giving them the assurance that he would look into issues, some of which were made public by one of the players, Kennya Cordner, who took to social media over the weekend in a critical post directed to the T&T Football Association (TTFA).

On Saturday, Cordner posted the following on Facebook: “So on Monday 6th of July I would not be going to Canada without any stipend this is ridiculous now I would let ppl know wat alyuh about TTFA because this is not fair to us, why must the men be in comfort while we suffer not any more I'm so fed up of you all treating us like this no more.”

Then, on Sunday, a day before the team was scheduled to depart for Canada, Cordner posted on the same forum: “As I lay in my bed and think back! You know it was never about the money when coming to play for our country, we always used to go and play and fight for the, but is the Constance (sic) disrespect from the TTFA I cannot take. Few months ago we brought this country together, we change the face of women's football but yet still we are treated like we are no-body why must that be?

It's unfair to us look we have pan am games not even a practice game why because we not worth it? Am asking you TTFA. Going back to wen Coach Randy put up the Twitter post and you all said things would be better for the women's but yet still the lies keep coming smh. Ladies it's about time we stop take the disrespect because we are human not robots. I would always b happy to represent my country, but wen we are being disrespected I would let ppl know.

With these concerns, some players threatened to boycott the event. Sancho said he received a call the night before from one of the players, which brought some of the issues to his attention. He said he wants the TTFA to be “transparent and open.” “They have to let us know what happened.”

Sancho said he could not understand what the issues were in terms of match fees and preparation for the Pan Am Games since the TTFA recently received “Gold Cup money” from Concacaf. “The federation got money from Concacaf for preparation for the Gold Cup and airfare but we (Government) are paying for airfare,” Sancho said.

However, in a subsequent interview, TTFA general secretary Sheldon Phillips said the Minister may have been mistaken when it came to the figures. “We did not receive $100,000 from Concacaf (for the Gold Cup). We received around $33,000, which did go towards the two Pan Am teams.” He said the association “received an advance” from Concacaf in the absence of Ministry subventions which would have gone toward the Pan American Games.

In terms of the women team’s preparation for the Games, Phillips noted that the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL)  featured all national women players and allowed them to prepare through a number of friendly matches, including one against a WPL XI.

The women’s team is scheduled to kick off the account at the Pan American Games on Saturday with a clash against Argentina and will play Colombia and Mexico on July 14 and 18, respectively, at the preliminary stage. The men will face Uruguay (July 13), Paraguay (July 17) and Mexico (July 21).

[Socapro]

Patriotism before politics
TTFA defends its money-spending
Published on Jul 12, 2015, 9:44 pm AST (T&T Express)


The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) yesterday defended its use of funds recently received, blamed poor communication for difficulties with the Ministry of Sport and urged Minister of Sport Brent Sancho to put “patriotism above politics.”

A week after the women’s national team left for the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada with some members threatening to pull out of the tour because of not receiving stipends for the competition, the TTFA released a statement yesterday, not addressing that issue , but rather its use of US$71,000 received from the governing body for the sport in the the North, Central American and Caribbean region, CONCACAF.

“The TTFA wishes to emphatically rebut recent assertions made by Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho, claiming our organisation has not been forthcoming regarding supporting funds received from CONCACAF,” the release stated. “By way of written communication and via meetings between representatives of the Ministry and TTFA, the Ministry was alerted to funds available to TTFA from CONCACAF. It is clear, however, that the Ministry has not taken into consideration CONCACAF funds received would be shared among several of our national teams and not solely preserved for the senior men’s national team.“

The TTFA release stated that the local governing body had received US$71,000 from CONCACAF for use by our national teams currently in training and competition. It said US$25,161.14 of that sum, “has been used to support the travel-related expenses of our senior men’s team, Under-23 men’s team, Under-17 women’s team, and Under-20 women’s team. In anticipation of the disbursement from the Cabinet note that was specifically earmarked for the Senior Men’s National, the TTFA sought to provide funding for other lower profile, but equally important national teams.”

The release added: “these expenses include US visa payments, lodging, excess baggage fees, medical supplies for travel, and insurance. Therefore and contrary to a building narrative pushed, the TTFA was successful in sourcing alternative funding to support its teams in an effort to reduce dependency on the Ministry.” The TTFA claimed that, “despite our best efforts, communication with the Ministry continues to be an issue.”

It stated further: “We have worked with members of the Ministry who have, at heart, the best interests of T&T football and the TTFA will continue to work assiduously with the Ministry to achieve these common objectives. However, it is vital for the two entities to work together on behalf of the national team players and technical staff who represent our twin island republic.”

The TTFA described as “coercive action” the Minsitry’s threat to withold funding for the March friendly against Panama unless the TTFA accepted responsibility for a $625,000 travel bill which the TTFA claims was authorised by the Ministry in 2014.

The release claimed that incidents like that one “have created an environment that is not conducive to working together on behalf of our national footballers and technical staff.”

The release ended with an appeal to the Minister.

“Minister Sancho is now in the position to assist the TTFA in providing the same benefits and opportunities to current national team players he sought in his playing days. It is our hope that patriotism above politics will win out and the spirit of cooperation will prevail for the advancement of football, the game we all love, in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Efforts to contact the Minister yesterday were unsuccessful.

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ENOUGH!
Sancho says no more funding for TTFA...unless
By Sean Taylor (sean.taylor@trinidadexpress.com)
Published on Jul 13, 2015, 9:03 pm AST (T&T Express)

CALLED FOR TRANSPARENCY: Minister of Sport Brent Sancho says that his ministry will no longer facilitate the TTFA until they can account for funds that have been previously squandered.

In an immediate response to the suggestion of "systematically bullying" by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) Brent Sancho responded for the first time out in the open regarding the ongoing feud between his ministry and the local football governing body.

Sancho called an impromptu press confrerence yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, where he made it clear that until the TTFA can become more transparent with their financial dealings, the government will no longer fund them.

The TTFA released a statement to the media on Sunday that included the specifics of their expenditure, which was said to be US$71,000. However, yesterday, the sum was said to be US$100,000 by the minister, and was set to be received at the end of July from CONCACAF.

Sancho said that according to a TTFA press release, the ministry was alerted in writing of the funds to the TTFA from CONCACAF. “This is true,” he said, “But what minister Tim Kee does not admit to, was that the information was given after the ministry had paid the airfare for the Gold Cup, and after the ministry had made several direct enquiries.”

Sancho said when his Ministry asked the TTFA on June 25, if CONCACAF would cater to internal flights and accomodation during the Gold Cup, while the TTFA would have to see about their team's airfare to and from the US, their answer was yes.

The MSYA was told by the TTFA on June 28 that the US$100,000 CONCACAF funded would arrive at the end of July. However CONCACAF relayed information that the funds had already arrived. “Yet still, the TTFA continue to request funding from the ministry including a request to pay a laundry bill,” the minister said.

Sancho said he was not surprised when he found out that his ministry unwittingly allotted what eventually became surplus funds to the TTFA, after the CONCACAF had already sent the money. “This is an institutionalised behaviour,” he said. “It has started since mister Warner, and Tim Kee has been a part of his organisation, so I'm not surprised.”

The sports minister said that he has consistently requested to see the TTFA accounts, a stipulation placed in the cabinet notes. “I believe I have a duty to have these conditions met,” he said.

The TTFA is poorly run according to the Minister -– the VISA debacle, the frantic changes in players, the decision to pay match fees at the Pan Am Games without an agreement from the TTOC, the missing $400,000 for the Argentina game, the Akeem Adams tee-shirt scandal, as well as the player's Jamaican impasse, were all due to the culpability of the football governing body.

Regarding the women's footballers, the minister reiterated that he promised them that he would sit down and discuss with Tim Kee, their issues. One of the issues was the payment of stipends and match fees for the Pan American Games; they were promised US$600 for the entire trip; they were trying to negotiate US$500 per game as well as stipends. He said that the TTFA "miraculously" sourced funds when a boycott of the Games became a plausibility.

However, despite promising the girls their payments, they have yet to deliver as according to Sancho, none of the promises have come to fruition. “I woke up this morning and felt it was a reincarnation of Jack Warner,” he said.

“This is the only governing body that we have any problems with. It is abundantly clear that this organisatiojn is playing politics with sport. During the Jamaica impasse, the government went as far as to fund $9.5 million to ensure staff were paid. The question is, when will it end? It has to stop.” he emphasised.

According to him, the Ministry has had enough and will not entertain any further funding unless the TTFA can be more transparent, and account for previous funds. “They will not be funded,” Sancho said. “Unless they can account for where our funds will go,” he ended.

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Sancho launches Peace Run
Published on Aug 10, 2015, 9:41 pm AST (T&T Express)

MINISTER of Sport Brent Sancho

MINISTER of Sport Brent Sancho challenged members of the various communities to make the ‘Torch For Peace Relay' initiative a reality last Friday at the launch of the project at Piggot Junction, Belmont.

The first edition of the relay run will be held on August 16 from St Ann's to the finish at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, where the day's activities will culminate with a boxing card.

On a morning drenched by rain, Sancho told the gathering that the idea of a relay run to promote peace among the depressed communities in Trinidad and Tobago is just that, an idea.

“This initiative is about individuals in communities who want to see betterment for themselves and their children and therefore you are the ones to make it happen” Sancho said.

He added: “The time has come for us to join together as a community and let there be peace, All for one and One for All.”

At the launch, Annabelle Davis, the chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board also called for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities in the different communities, saying: “Let us give peace a chance.”

She also called on members of the various communities to join them in the fight for peace.

Friday's turnout also featured members of the participating communities such as Franklyn Moore (Morvant), Atiba Williams (St Ann's), Learie ‘Lobo' Joseph (Belmont), Ralph Maximen (Belmont) and Joseph Beckles (Belmont)- all of whom welcomed the initiative.

Williams who will be among the five participants in the opening leg in St Ann's said: “I want to thank the ministry and the minister for the relay run because it is a move away from crime and also because our community is filled with sporting talent but they have not been getting anything, so it is good that we are being considered now.”

‘Lobo' Joseph, a former national footballer, said he welcomes the idea and wants to see more done in his community, such as lights being erected at sporting facilities there. Lobo and his five-member team will receive the torch at Jerningham Junction where the torch will be taken to the Harp.

The torch will then be taken to Morvant before its runners will usher it to St Barbs. From there it will move from St Barbs to Picton, then Picton to Nelson/Duncan Streets, Nelson/Duncan to Sealots; Sealots to Beetham; before it is taken to the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

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Congratulations to Darryl Smith
Friday, 11 September 2015 (NAAA TT)

Honourable Darryl Smith, newly appointment Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad & Tobago would like to congratulate, the Honourable Darryl Smith on his new appointment as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, and look forward to working with him closely for the further development of track and field in the country.

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‘I’m focused on the athletes’
Saturday, September 12 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Honourable Darryl Smith, newly appointment Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

THIS nation’s athletes and their ability to succeed on the field of play are top priorities for newly appointed Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith. The new minister made this comment shortly after taking the oath of office with other Government members at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s.

“Well, I’m a former national youth footballer. So football is very close to my heart. It has brought a lot of joy to Trinidad and Tobago over the years,” Smith told reporters. Recalling the achievements of the senior men’s national team in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany and reaching the quater-finals of the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States where they lost in a penalty shootout with Panama, Smith disclosed, “I have a number of constituents who are actually on the national senior team.” Smith is the People’s National Movement (PNM) Diego Martin Central MP and the former chairman of the PNM controlled Diego Martin Regional Corporation.

He disclosed, “I will be meeting with the president (of the TTFA) Raymond Tim Kee my former colleague in local govermnent and see how we can best ensure that athletes are taken care of.” Tim Kee is also Port-of-Spain Mayor.

Recalling some events which happened during the tenure of the former People’s Partnership (PP ) government as it pertained to sport, Smith said, “The days of sending up money in a suitcase.
People don’t have money and embarrassing the country with regards to the women’s (football) team, having people giving groceries. Those days are done.”

On administrative issues which he may have inherited in the ministry from the PP ’s tenure, Smith said, “With regards to the legal issues, we are not on a witchhunt.

The police have all the records.

I’ll leave the police, the stars to the astronomers, to do their job.” The minister reiterated, “I am focused solely on the athletes.”

Among the persons present at yesterday’s swearing in ceremony was former West Indies cricket captain and star batsman Brian Lara. His attendance at the ceremony and seating in close proximity to Government members, led some persons to speculate that he would be appointed sports minister in the new administration of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Lara was instead yesterday named “Special Envoy” and will be heading to Dominica to meet its Prime Minister on Monday to discuss what further aid TT can provide.

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National sporting bodies congratulate Smith
Saturday, September 12 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Honourable Darryl Smith, newly appointment Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), Raymond Tim Kee, has sent congratulatory remarks to the newly appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Darryl Smith.

Having been entangled in a war of words with Smith’s predecessor, Brent Sancho, Tim Kee expressed pleasure with the new appointment and wished him well over the next five years in office, and at the helm of this nation’s sporting administration.

In a statement yesterday, Tim Kee, stated, “Congratulations on your new role as Sports Minister.

It’s reassuring to have leadership in the Department of Sport and Youth Affairs from someone who understands the grassroots and sporting issues of the country, and who has also been actively involved.” The TTFA president added, “I am confident your passion for sport, in particular football, and for Trinidad and Tobago, will see you work tirelessly for the development of sport in our beloved country. Nothing fosters a sense of shared national identity better than the country taking part in global sporting competitions as has been evident at the 2006 World Cup and our appearances at other world events, cricket World Cups and Athletic meets such as the Olympic Games.” Tim Kee reiterated the fact that sport increasingly crosses cultural and political boundaries in a way that few other activities can.

He also attested that sport builds a society, a nation, a country and has something to offer people at all ages.

The statement concluded, “We at the TTFA look forward with great anticipation to getting the ball rolling with you, Honourable Minister and your Ministry.

Again, we take this opportunity to extend best wishes to you in your new role and look forward to working with you.”

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has congratulated Darryl Smith on his recent appointment yesterday, as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs in the new Government.

President of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath, said he had high expectations of Smith, who is a relatively young man and a former sportsman.

Bassarath revealed that after a tumultuous five-year period at the Ministry of Sport under three Sports Ministers, his organisation is looking forward to working with the new appointee for the benefit of the cricket community and the nation at large.

“We make representation not only for cricketers, which is our primary responsibility but for all sportsmen and women of the nation who stand to benefit from the progressive policies initiated by Minister Smith who we believe has their future prospects at heart,” said Bassarath yesterday.

Over the past few years, the TTCB had a stormy relationship with former Sports Minister Anil Roberts. The TTCB also alleged that significant Government assistance for national team’s preparations and for the TTCB’s close to 200 clubs were withheld from their organisation.

Despite protestations, the TTCB said it was unable to make any headway even when Dr Rupert Griffith last year replaced Roberts for a short while after the latter resigned following the controversy surrounding the Life Sport Fund.

However when Brent Sancho, a former national footballer was appointed Minister of Sport earlier this year, the TTCB was able to access funding on a limited scale for its affiliated clubs but the major part of the close to $26 million owed to the national cricket organisation is still outstanding, according to Bassarath.

The TTCB head noted that he will soon write to Minister Smith to arrange an urgent meeting to address the organisation’s pressing concerns and has vowed to work constructively with the new administration to build a harmonious relationship to take the sport forward.

“We wish Minister Smith all the best as he takes up his new assignment and we believe that his former job at the Diego Martin Regional Corporation has prepared him well to tackle the administrative challenges which he faces at a greater level at the Ministry of Sport. The TTCB believes he can make a difference in the lives of the young people of the nation who see sport as a way out of poverty and an avenue to make something of themselves and contribute meaningfully to society. We pledge to work with him to make TT better,” said Bassarath.

Additionally, the National Association of Athletics Administrations congratulated Smith and is looking forward to working with him closely towards the further development of track and field in the country.

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), Brian Lewis, has extended a hand of favour to the newly appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Darryl Smith, on his recent appointment as this nation’s governor for sport.

In a short release issued by Lewis yesterday, he revealed his eagerness to work with the new Minister and hopes to hit the ground running, with just under one year to go prior to the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

According to Lewis, “There are a number of pressing issues in the ‘in’ tray. With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games less than a year away, there is no margin for error.” Presently, the TTOC plays the role of this nation’s official Anti-Doping agency. However, Lewis is keen on setting up TT ’s first ever National Anti-Doping Organisation within the coming months. This issue in particular, partnered with a much-needed review of the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme, are currently on the front burner for discussion by the TTOC boss.

However, Lewis was well aware of the present economic situation on both a national and global scale, and admitted that crucial resolutions would soon be brought to light.

“Given the economic realities, important but hard decisions will have to be made. The TTOC looks forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss Rio 2016 and ten or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 among other aspects in respect of Olympic sports in Trinidad and Tobago.”

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Sporting bodies welcome new Sport Minister
Published: Sunday, September 13, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

Newly appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Darryl Smith, has received a number of congratulatory messages for various sporting bodies including the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) and the T&T Football Association (TTFA). In separate statements on Friday, the two bodies confirmed that they are looking forward to working with Smith to further develop their respective sport.

NAAA’s release read: “The National Association of Athletics Administrations of T&T would like to congratulate, the honourable Darryl Smith on his new appointment as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, and is looking forward to working with him closely towards the further development of track and field in the country.”

TTFA’s statement expressed a similiar desire with TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee saying: “Congratulations on your new role as Sports Minister. It’s reassuring to have leadership in the Department of Sport and Youth Affairs from someone who understands the grassroots and sporting issues of the country, and who has also been actively involved.

“I am confident your passion for sport, in particular football, and for T&T, will see you work tirelessly for the development of sport in our beloved country.

“Nothing fosters a sense of shared national identity better than the country taking part in global sporting competitions as has been evident at the 2006 World Cup and our appearances  at other world events, cricket World Cups and Athletic meets such as the Olympic Games.

“Sport increasingly crosses cultural and political boundaries in a way that few other activities can. It's about really building a society, a nation, a country. Sport has something to offer people at all ages. We are confident that you will lead this charge.

“We at the TTFA look forward with great anticipation to getting the ball rolling with you, honourable Minister and your Ministry. Again, we take this opportunity to extend best wishes to you in your new role and look forward to working with you.”

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Stakeholders congratulate new Sport Minister*
Published on Sep 11, 2015, 10:46 pm AST (T&T Express)

Top priority to meet with athletes: Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith

National sporting organisations the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) have all congratulated newly-appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and are looking forward to working with him.

TTOC president Brian Lewis said the Minister will have to hit the ground running as there are a number of pressing issues in the in tray. “With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games less than a year away. There is no margin for error. The National Anti-Doping Organisation is still to be established. The Elite Athlete Assistance Programme requires attention,” Lewis outlined.

“Given the economic realities, important but hard decisions will have to be made. “The TTOC looks forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss Rio 2016 and 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 among other aspects in respect of Olympic sports in Trinidad and Tobago,” Lewis added.

Meanwhile, TTCB president Azim Bassarath has high expectations for Smith, saying that after a tumultuous five-year period at the Ministry of Sport-- under three different ministers-- his organisation is looking forward to working with the new appointee for the benefit of the cricket community and the nation at large.

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Minister ‘storms’ radio show
...host delighted with visit
Published: Monday, September 14, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith provided early evidence on how he intends to approach his job when he made an impromptu visit to the studios of I95 on Saturday evening and took part in the weekly sports show hosted by the popular Andre Baptiste.

The programme, which started around 6.15 pm and included among the panel Guardian Sports Editor Valentino Singh, well known sports promoter Tony Harford and investigative sports reporter Lasana Liburd, was into its first ten minutes, when to the surprise of the quartet, the minister entered the studio and joined the discussion.

Pointing out that he was an avid follower of the programme, the minister who had just attended the Secondary Schools match between St Mary’s and St Anthony’s Colleges, gave a brief history of his involvement in sport as a national youth footballer, and pointed out that anyone who knew him would testify to his passion for sport.

The quartet was impressed at the ease with which Smith responded to their questions, promising that he intends to be in the ministry for the full five years.

“I don’t want my legacy to be about buildings. I want it to be about our athletes, not only those who are national athletes but all the young people who would want to use sport as a social tool to improve their lives.”

Reminded that sport and culture were the two major areas of the nation’s life that united the people, but which appeared to be treated as ‘lightweights’ by government, Smith said he has no doubt that under the current leadership of the new Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, this would change.

“I believe that Dr Rowley, more than any other Prime Minister understands the value of sport. After all, he is still involved in sport almost on a daily basis through his love for golf. I am sure he knows what sport can do for a nation, and I have little doubt he will make sure we get as fair treatment as possible.”

Smith revealed that he was on the job minutes after being sworn into office. This included meeting with staff at both the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of T&T. “I toured all the floors, met everyone who was present and I think there is a sense of relief among the workers.”

Told by the panel that there appeared to be lots of tension and demotivated people at the Ministry, Smith promised to bring the work environment up to be acceptable standards, even if it meant relocating the ministry.

He promised to listen to the voice of stakeholders before making decisions, and to ensure that the legacy of the country’s sporting personalities received the respect it deserved through the national sports archives.

Told by Baptiste that most ministers appeared on his programme when they first come into office and then refused to return, Smith promised that he would be the exception.

“There is a lot to be done, I have no doubt, and at the end of my five years, I intend to be available to return for you all to judge me.”

The panellists later agreed that the minister’s decision to make his way to the studio was a refreshing move that augurs well for the future.

Baptiste noted it was the first time that a minister had exercised such an initiative, and he was surprised, pleased and looking forward to the Minister returning in the future.

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PLEA TO SPORTT and Minister Smith
From Richard 'Torpedo' Thompson, facebook Page
Monday, 14 September 2015

Richard Thompson conducts Sprinting Camp, at Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field

While there were a number of positive things that came from the Gatorade Richard Thompson camp this weekend, there was something that left me upset and quite frankly utterly embarrassed. I want you to pay attention to the condition of the track in the background of this picture. A similar pic ended up on the back page (and website) of the Trinidad Express, which can be seen around the world.

This is our warm up track at the Hasely Crawford stadium. How do we allow a NATIONAL FACILITY to deteriorate this badly? It is the responsibility of the Sport company of T&T (SPORTT) to ensure that all national facilities are maintained to a particular standard. I'm not sure what the explanation is for allowing the track to reach this state but its condition is unacceptable.

Many national athletes use this track to train and ALL of our athletes vying for a position on any national team warm up on this track before competing.

Minister Smith, I understand that you are newly appointed and your plate is full but my humble request is that you make this a priority on your to-do list. I'm calling on you because I believe that you have a genuine interest in progressing the youth of T&T. Please address this matter with SPORTT to ensure that we show some form of national pride in what belongs to us.

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BEIJING SUCCESS: Celebrate with a track, Minister Smith
By Kwame Laurence, kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Published on Sep 16, 2015, 10:32 pm AST (T&T Express)

SOURCE OF SHAME: Triple Olympic silver medallist Richard “Torpedo” Thompson stands behind Shayne Cooper while Cooper demonstrates a start during the Gatorade Richard Thompson Sprinting Camp, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field, in Port of Spain, last Saturday. Thompson said he is “upset and quite frankly utterly embarrassed” by the state of the Crawford Stadium warm-up track. —Photo: ANISTO ALVES

In a country where excellence in sport is often not appreciated, it comes as no surprise that Trinidad and Tobago's successful showing at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China has been met with muted response.

Silver in the men's 4x400 metres relay and bronze in the women's 4x100 are two very good reasons to celebrate. Those two items of precious metal earned T&T joint-22nd spot on the Beijing 2015 medal table. With more than 200 countries represented at the Championships, the top-25 finish is highly commendable.

The more significant statistic, however, is T&T's joint-15th finish on the placing table. While very little attention is paid to this table, it reflects a team's strength in depth.

The list of countries we finished ahead of on the placing table tells a story of excellence that ought to be celebrated. Australia, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Italy, Greece are among the nations that trailed T&T. These are countries that have either hosted the Olympic Games or, in the case of Brazil, will host the biggest sporting event on the planet.

As Olympic hosts, Australia, Brazil, have made huge investments in sport. It must also be noted that they are much larger than T&T, and therefore have talent pools we cannot match. Yet, T&T competed against and beat them all at Beijing 2015.

On August 30, Renny Quow, Lalonde Gordon, Deon Lendore and 19-year-old Machel Cedenio combined for men's 4x4 silver in a national record time of two minutes, 58.20 seconds. One day earlier, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Reyare Thomas and Semoy Hackett had teamed up for women's 4x1 bronze in 42.03 seconds—also a new T&T standard.

In the past, Governments have been quick to celebrate global sporting success. Why not this time? Why wasn't there an appropriate official function to mark the achievements of these eight athletes, as well as relay alternates Jarrin Solomon and 17-year-old Khalifa St Fort? Timing, I suppose, is everything. These superb performances came shortly before the general election, and perhaps those in power were more concerned with saving their own jobs.

As we are all aware, Brent Sancho and his People's Partnership cohorts failed to hold on to the reins of power.

Darryl Smith, the Member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central, was the man who replaced Sancho as Minister of Sport. The first utterances from Minister Smith are cause for great optimism at the start of this five-year term of office for the People's National Movement (PNM). He has promised an “athletes first” approach to tackling his job.

The athletes are excited and hopeful. Please Mr Smith, do not disappoint them. Administrators, whether within the framework of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Sports Company (SPORTT), the Olympic Committee (TTOC) or the governing bodies for each sport, are facilitators and servants.

A quality administrator is a great servant of his sport who establishes the infrastructure to facilitate the widest possible participation and, ultimately, success of his athletes. Administrators who compete with the athletes for newspaper headlines are unlikely to be effective. And we've certainly had our share of those headline-grabbers.

It is the athletes who ought to be in the news—Rodney Wilkes, Wendell Mottley, Edwin Roberts, Roger Gibbon, Hasely Crawford, Jean Pierre, Gene Samuel, Debra O'Connor, Ian Morris, Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, Ato Boldon, Candice Scott, Darrel Brown, Dexter St Louis, Cleopatra Borel, George Bovell, Josanne Lucas, Richard Thompson, Keshorn Walcott, Rheann Chung, Roger Daniel, Cheryl Ann Sankar, Kwandwane Browne, Marc Burns, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Jehue Gordon, Renny Quow, Lalonde Gordon, Rhonda Watkins, Machel Cedenio, Njisane Phillip…and the list goes on.

Kudos to Thompson for taking the lead and offering himself as a voice for the athletes. On the heels of the successful Gatorade Richard Thompson Sprinting Camp, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field in Port of Spain, last Saturday, the triple Olympic silver medallist, in a Facebook post, called on the Sports Company and Minister Smith to address the sorry state of the warm-up track.

“I'm not sure what the explanation is for allowing the track to reach this state but its condition is unacceptable. Many national athletes use this track to train and ALL of our athletes vying for a position on any national team warm up on this track before competing.

“Minister Smith, I understand that you are newly appointed and your plate is full but my humble request is that you make this a priority on your to-do list. I'm calling on you because I believe that you have a genuine interest in progressing the youth of T&T. Please address this matter with SPORTT to ensure that we show some form of national pride in what belongs to us.”

At last count, Monday's post had attracted 127 “Likes”, many of them from present and past national athletes.

This is a golden opportunity for Minister Smith to put taxpayers' money where his mouth is. A quick response to Thompson's plea for a proper warm-up track at the Crawford Stadium would show that “athletes first” is not merely good PR from the new man in charge.

That new track would be of far greater value than any celebration that could be planned for the successful Beijing 2015 squad.

The relay teams, women's 100m finalists Baptiste and Ahye and men's 400m finalist Cedenio earned T&T a total of 22 points at the global meet. Only the Berlin 2009 team had accumulated more points—32 for a best-ever 13th on the placing table.

Our national athletes have needs. Many of them are not met. Yet, they are among the best in the world. Change the script, Mr Smith, and establish a legacy of unprecedented sporting success.

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Focus on youth
NGC Right On Track programme expands
By Kwame Laurence, kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Published on Nov 3, 2015, 10:16 pm AST (T&T Express)

GOLD MEDALLIST AND THE MINISTER: 1976 Olympic 100 metres gold medallist Hasely Crawford, centre, shares a light moment with Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, right, while meeting Fatima College basketballer Adam Tang Nian, during the NGC Right On Track media launch, at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain, yesterday. -Photo courtesy NGC

“Let us focus on the athletes and the young people, and let us take a back seat and let them be the spotlight.”

True to his words, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith thrust a young, talented basketballer into the spotlight at yesterday's National Gas Company (NGC) Right on Track development programme media launch, at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain.

Fourteen-year-old Adam Tang Nian was equal to the task, the Fatima College pupil giving an inspiring story of how he shrugged off the pain of a broken hand to return to the Digicel NBA Jumstart Basketball Clinic, in September.

Young athletes like Tang Nian have been the focus of Right On Track throughout its 16-year history. At yesterday's launch, NGC's corporate communications manager, Christine Punnett spoke about the programme.

“Since its inception in 1999, the Right On Track development programme has benefitted more than 15,000 participants in 105 communities and eight institutions; it has trained 88 coaches and it has formed and/or restored seven sport clubs. Its impact is attested by the many coaches who have seen results in the form of improved athletic ability, pride in achievement and character development.”

Right On Track initially focused on track and field, but later incorporated basketball. Both National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette and National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT) president Garvin Warwick attended the media launch.

“The success of these organisations at developing their respective sports,” Punnett explained, “has been an impetus for NGC to deepen our relationships, so as to grow the reach of the Right On Track Programme.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that NGC will be extending the parameters of its partnership with these organisations through collaboration on the NAAA's Kids Athletic Programme and the NBFTT's Mini to Masters Programme. Both these initiatives embody the spirit and capture the intent of Right On Track and we are excited about the possibilities they present.”

Warwick said women's basketball will be a direct beneficiary of NGC's involvement in the sport.

“We will now be able to develop core female basketballers, and not have to share our talent with netball which has been the case for years.”

NGC's support of track and field goes beyond the Right On Track programme.

“Part of the intervention by the NGC,” Serrette explained, “allows for six athletes, three female and three male, to be given assistance for preparation.”

Punnett heaped praises on 1976 Olympic 100 metres champion Hasely Crawford, founder of the NGC Right On Track programme.

“On July 24th 1976, a young man from San Fernando carried the hope of a nation on winged feet past the finish line in Montreal, Canada to claim gold for his country at the Olympic Games. Mr Hasely Crawford, seated unassumingly among us this morning, did more than just outrun his competitors that day. Through the countless accolades that followed on the heels of his achievement, he proved to Trinidad and Tobago that sport held a wellspring of potential for national development and recognition, that it was a viable and rewarding career option and it deserved greater investment.

“These, ladies and gentlemen, were fundamental reasons behind the conceptualisation and implementation of the NGC Right On Track development programme in 1999, spearheaded by none other than the man himself—Mr Hasely Crawford—then Head of Community Relations at NGC.”

Minister Smith said Crawford continues to be relevant in the growth of sport in T&T.

“Mr Crawford, I've been a huge fan. You've been doing a fantastic job as a model citizen of Trinidad and Tobago. I want to commend you for that, and the Ministry of Sport will be leaning heavily on you for advice.”

Smith added that there will also be consultation with other past T&T sporting greats.

At nine a.m., on Saturday, the NGC Right On Track Coaching Caravan rolls into the Esmeralda Ground, in Cunupia.

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NGC extends support for athletics and basketball
By ASHFORD JACKMAN Wednesday, November 4 2015 (T&T Newsday)

THE DEVELOPMENT of local talent in track and field and basketball is expected to enter a new dimension with the extension of the National Gas Company’s (NGC) Right On Track initiative to include two juvenile-specific programmes presently being conducted by separate sporting organisations.

Having benefitted for over 16 years in terms of sponsorship and training from Right On Track, the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) and the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT ) will now see their respective nationwide junior programmes taken to new levels.

Speaking at a formal launch yesterday at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain, Christine Punnett, NGC’s Manager, Corporate Communications, emphasised that Right On Track does not simply provide funding to the two national sporting organisations (NSOs).

“Through this initiative,” she said, “NGC provides practical instruction to young persons from schools and communities across Trinidad and Tobago, as well as critical training for coaches to promote sustainability and build capacity in these sporting disciplines.” According to Punnett, since its inception in 1999, some 15,000 participants from 105 communities and eight institutions have benefitted from Right On Track, and it has trained 88 coaches and formed or restored seven local sports clubs.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that NGC will be extending the parameters of its partnership with these organisations though collaboration on the NAAA’s Kids Athletics Programme the NBFTT ’s Mini to Masters programme,” she added. “Both these initiatives embody the spirit and capture the intent of Right on Track and we are excited about the possibilities they present.” In response, president of the NAAA Ephraim Serrette described the development as a “welcome intervention.” He underlined the importance of NGC’s long-term involvement with track and field.

“Without the intervention by the NGC, our strategic plan 2012-16 would have remained stagnant. And I say that, because in the new federation we understand that the amount of money that is budgeted towards sport is not sufficient to share around to all the sporting organisations.” The two benefitting associations sought to emphasise their worthiness for NGC’s expanded support. Serrette reminded those in attendance that in the past 7-8 years, the NAAA has been a consistent winner of the Jeffrey Stollmeyer Award for the best run NSO.

“I don’t think the NGC would have partnered with the NAAA if we were not showing the kind of accountability and transparency, that whole governance aspect,” he reflected.

NBFTT president Garvin Warwick thanked NGC for “believing in the sport of basketball,” and gave a detailed account of his executive’s achievements, among which he listed the return to activity of eight of the sport’s nine zones “after a three-year inactive period.” Warwick highlighted the federation’s partnership with Digicel in launching the Jumpstart programme and the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the University of Trinidad and Tobago to develop a school of basketball.

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Smith praises NGC Sports Programme
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Guardian)
Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, second from right, greets NGC Corporate Communications manager Christine Punnett at the launch of the NGC Right on Track sports programme at Radisson Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Looking on is NAAA president Ephraim Serrette, left, and president of the NBFTT Garvin Warwick. PHOTO: ANTHONY HARRIS

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith praised The National Gas Company of T&T Limited (NGC) for seeking an interest in sport, at the launch of the NGC Right On Track Programme at the Radisson Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

The programme, which is being held with the support of the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) and the National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT), will teach young people the skills of track and field and basketball.

At the launch Minister Smith said, “For too long we have not been appreciating work such as what NGC is doing with this programme. I am looking forward to the Right On Track programme and I hope it continues for many years to come. Let us focus on the young people and the athletes. Let us take a back seat and let them be the spotlight.”

Christine Punnett, manager Corporate Communications at NGC, said that Hasely Crawford’s 100-metre gold medal run at the 1976 Olympics, showed that more must be given to sport in T&T.

Punnett said: “Through the countless accolades  that followed on the heels of his (Crawford) achievement, he proved to T&T that sport held a wellspring of potential for national development and recognition, that it was a viable and rewarding career option and it deserved greater investment.

“These were fundamental reasons behind the conceptualization and implementation of NGC Right On Track development programme in 1999, spearheaded by none other than the man himself – Mr Hasely Crawford – then head of community relations at NGC. The Right On Track development programme, which initially centred on athletics, today teaches skills in both track and field and basketball to children at the Primary and Secondary School levels via its ambulant Coaching Caravan.”

Punnett explained that in the programme, coaches are trained to promote sustainablility and build capacity in the sporting disciplines. Since 1999, the Right On Track programme has benefitted over 15,000 participants in 105 communities and eight institutions. It has trained 88 coaches and it has formed and/or restored seven sport clubs.

The head of both the NAAA and the NBFTT plauded NGC for contributing to sport in T&T. President of the NAAA’s Ephraim Serrette said, “I  want to thank NGC for their intervention and support to the sport of track and field. We look forward to future work with the NGC.”

Garvin Warwick, president of the NBFTT, stated, “I want to thank NGC for believing in the sport of basketball for 18 plus years.

“Relationships and opportunities for the development like this one are what we have been working towards to foster the growth of the sport.” Warwick explained that these programmes will attract more people, including sponsors to the sport of basketball.

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Smith: Ministry to set tone for SporTT*
By Mark Pouchet, mark.pouchet@trinidadexpress.com
Published on Dec 5, 2015, 6:47 pm AST (T&T Express)

NEW BOARD: Abbegale Nandlal, front row from left, Sport Minister Darryl Smith, Michael Phillips (chairman), Dionne Ligoure, back row, Jason Lewis Julien, Imran Jan, Richard Mc Farlane, Vyash Nandlal (no relation to Abbegale) and Anthony Subero at the meet and greet with the media of the new SPORTT board at the Sportt headquarters on Henry Street , Port of Spain, yesterday. Missing is Marcus Solomon. —Photo: MARK POUCHET

Minister of Sport Darryl Smith said the Ministry of Sport will set the example for the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) and national sporting organisations (NSOs) in how to conduct their affairs.

At a press conference yesterday to introduce the new SporTT board, Minister Smith said the Ministry itself had been in disarray over the last five years, cycling through four Ministers in just over a year, three SporTT boards in the last five years, with a number of CEOs and chairmen also getting the boot. But he is seeking a calmer time over the next five years.

“I think the first thing is to lead by example and I think they had horrible examples before at the Board level and the Minister and Ministry level. So we have started now, so far so good. We haven’t had any issues at the Ministry or at the board. We hope to continue that for the five years. There have been so many changes before.....and you cannot build or move forward, have any strategic planning with such changes.

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Minister unveils fresh plans for sport in 2016
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH (Newsday).

AFTER SPENDING just over 100 days in office as Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith yesterday unveiled a unique list of new administrative and practical techniques which have been designed to revamp his Ministry’s overall competencies towards national athletes and non-governmental organisations.

The recently appointed Minister announced these welcomed revelations at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday, to an audience comprising of multiple national sporting representatives who were clearly in full support of Smith’s fresh and creative ideas towards marketing sport on the global stage. However, the former Diego Martin Regional Corporation chairman made it clear early on, that sport, like all other national entities, would be unavoidably hampered by the continuously falling price of oil – Trinidad and Tobago’s biggest income earner.

Firstly, Smith admitted that a lot of work has already been done towards cleaning up and correcting the discrepancies of the past regime. While he opted to not dwell too much on these negative actions of the past, the Minister used his opening days in office to personally meet with members of every national sporting organisation – an act which may have never been done so early in by past holders of this post. This move to converse with the sporting bodies has already created a positive impact within each fraternity.

With respect to the formation of new sporting policies, Smith explained, “There are people who make sports policies, and I don’t know how that was done before, but I think the Ministry now has a better vision going forward.

Even while doing that document (policies) we will be still calling on a number of you (NSO’s) all to come back and meet with us and get your two cents in with regards to the policy.” He also touched on programmes affiliated to athlete assistance and ensured that these strategies will be reworked to affirm an easy and smooth transition forward.

“The private sector will be included with regards to bridging the gap towards funding,” he added. “We are hoping next year to implement SELL Sport.

We want to have a tradeshow and expo where we are going to encourage all the NGB’s to set up booths and sell to the private sector. One of the initiatives I have spoken about from day one is data collection. That is going to be key for this programme.

People don’t spend their money unless they know they’re getting a bang for their buck.” Smith is also working assiduously towards highlighting one national sport per week throughout 2016 in an effort to raise national awareness in both rural and urban areas.

He intends to go to the media/ schools and promote these sports so they can be more marketable and in tune with young people.

“Coming out of the meetings (with NSO’s), and this has not been approached to Parliament as yet, is we want to make the process of donating funds easier because it is apparently very tedious right now and the returns on tax breaks aren’t that attractive. This is not etched in stone but we would like to have discussions where people, personally, can donate and also get a tax break. It is done in the First World countries but we still have to work that out and ventilate that through the Minister of Finance and so on,” continued Minister Smith.

Another new initiative on Smith’s slate for 2016 is to increase the relations between his Ministry and local sports media.

He believes that media houses are privy to a lot of underground stories which are hardly brought to the forefront and is goal bound on ‘interviewing’ several media personalities to gain knowledge on what is happening under the radar.

He further revealed more new plans for the coming year.

“The Ministry has to also tighten up and we want to set the example for the NGOs with proper management and databases and maintenance. I don’t think we had good examples across the board in the Ministry before, so we must lead by example. One of the other key things that we want to push is that we want to work with the young people. The youth aspect is also kicked in the background, and this is why they were one of the first we met with.

We have to align ourselves a little better with our youth,” Smith noted.

Yesterday’s meeting featured a heavy cast of sporting administrators such as Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Joan Mendes, acting SporTT chief executive officer Adrian Raymond, Trinidad Youth Council president Sean Nicholson and David King and Sudhir Ramessar, TT’s Paralympic Committee president and treasurer, respectively.

Smith concluded, “It’s been a fantastic experience thus far.

But we are still mindful of the financial situation in the country and across the globe. When we came in on September 7, it was approximately US$85 per barrel, now it’s at US$36, and no one can ignore that. This will affect us in several ways since it is our main stream of revenue. We remain optimistic.

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T&T's elite athletes get long-awaited funding of 1.4 million TT dollars for Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It was a welcomed day for T&T's elite athletes, and by track record, no pun intended, it came earlier than they expected.
1.4 million TT dollars handed over.
Caston Cupid was in attendance, no not to collect a cheque but to witness the ceremony, here's his report.

T&T'S ELITE ATHLETES GET FUNDING FOR OLYMPIC GAMES
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Q-SJkWFubw8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Q-SJkWFubw8</a>


Time for our Sports Insight now this evening we take an unusual turn.
Usually, we bring you athletes from far off communities right up to Olympians.
But in this edition, Ryan Bachoo speaks to this country's elite facilitator.

SPORT INSIGHT - ORLANDO GRIFFITH
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/WN4FDGhj4t4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/WN4FDGhj4t4</a>

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Government gives $1.4m to athletes
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Guardian)
Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, fifth from left, and Sports Company of T&T chairman Michael Phillips, fourth from right, along with T&T Olympic hopefuls at a press conference yesterday where many of them received cheques towards their Olympic preparations. PHOTO: JELANI BECKLES

With less than six months until the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 15 T&T Olympic hopefuls including Keshorn Walcott and Cleopatra Borel, received $1.4 million in total from government towards their preparation.

The athletes and some of their family members collected cheques from the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith at a press conference held at the VIP Room of the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

Among those benefitting from the elite athlete funding are track and field athletes Walcott, Borel, Aleena Brooks, Machel Cedenio, Jehue Gordon, Jamal James, Emmanuel Mayers, Jarrin Solomon, Reyare Thomas, Kamaria Durant and Quincy Wilson.

Other athletes receiving cheques were Marlon Moses and Clement Marshall in shooting, squash player Kale Wilson and swimmer Dylan Carter as they aim to qualify for the Olympics which takes place from August 5-21. T&T sailor Andrew Lewis, who was in attendance, is the only T&T athlete to qualify for the Rio Olympics thus far.

Sport Company of T&T chairman Michael Phillips said that he knows the sacrifices that athletes make on a daily basis. He said, “We recognise what an athlete’s job is and that is pain. Some of you go through more pain than others. Injury, training, the pain of watching your friends go out and have a good time and you have to stay home.

You have to watch what you eat. You want to do what other people are doing but you can’t. Our job is to bring some level of assurance and stability to the equation where we recognise your effort, we put resources behind your efforts.”

He added that athletes need to be grateful when receiving financial assistance. “I would like to congratulate everyone who is about to receive assistance, understand the responsibility. A lot of people would have applied for funding and the structure and criteria that we have still may not allow for everybody who fits in that criteria to be assisted. You will be the crème de la crème of all of those applications that would have come in and with that you take with you responsibility.

Even if you go to Rio and don’t win a medal you have to come back here and bring back experience so others can learn from you.” Smith pleaded with the sporting fraternity to let sports be about the athletes. Smith said, “I am pleading to let sport be about the athletes.

Let it be about the people on the field, on the pitch, in the pools. Don’t let the shows and sports news be about the administrators and the bacchanal happening in the background. Let us support from the background, listen to the athletes and let them shine. Use this money wisely.”

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Walcott grateful for elite $$ assistance
By JOEL BAILEY Wednesday, February 24 2016 (T&T Newsday)

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, hands over
Elite Athlete Assistance Programme Funding cheque to Keshorn Walcott.

OLYMPIC JAVELIN champion Keshorn Walcott expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, who provided him with a cheque yesterday, at the VIP Room, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, as part of its Elite Athlete Assistance Programme (EAAP).

Walcott was among a group of 15 athletes who received a total of $1.4 million from the EAAP. The other athletes who were beneficiaries of the funding yesterday were Cleopatra Borel, Aleena Brooks, Machel Cedenio, Jehue Gordon, Jamal James, Emmanuel Mayers, Jarrin Solomon, Reyare Thomas, Kamaria Durant, Quincy Wilson (track and field); Marlon James Moses, Clement Marshall (shooting); Dylan Carter (swimming) and Kale Wilson (squash).

“I’m always grateful for the help from the Ministry of Sport,” said Walcott. “They have been helping me since early in my career. I’m thankful for the help.” Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith, in his address to the athletes in attendance, noted, “you all usually get these cheques in April (or) May. (It’s) just proper planning and putting things in place.

We were thinking about the future and we’re just planning ahead now.

“And we’re able to give these cheques two (and) three months earlier,” he added.

“Because we don’t want the rushing that is the usual norm when you have to travel and you want to train.” The Minister admitted, “we have inefficiencies. We are not perfect but we are trying our best to put policies and things in place to put the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs back on top. And I will not sleep a night until I get that done.” The 22-year-old Walcott will enter the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the first Trinidad and Tobago athlete to be defending his title since Hasely Crawford did so at the 1980 Games in Moscow, Soviet Union (now Russia).

“The season has been good,” said Walcott. “I’m still in different aspects of training now, in the general stages still. My meets are a long way off. I don’t have indoors.” Walcott added, “training has been good, preparation has been coming along really well so hopefully I’ll continue doing what I need to do.” The 2015 Pan American Games champion has his training sessions at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, under the guidance of the Cuban-born coach, Ismael Mastrapa.

“Most times I go to Cuba for a few weeks,” said Walcott.

“When I start competition I normally have a base, either in Finland or some other (European) country, just for the travelling.” On his current tag as an Olympic champion, the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist pointed out, “it feels good to know I’m the Olympic champion. Hopefully I’ll go out there and do my best and retain my title. That will be my goal.” He added, “me and my coach, that’s what we’re (preparing) for, for the last four years, and hopefully things will go how we want.” Walcott admitted that his season will start in May but his schedule has not been mapped out as yet.

“(It usually) starts with the Diamond League or, hopefully, a local meet,” he said.

“We don’t map out the entire season because things tend to change. Nothing is carved in stone. The season will begin in May and continue until September.”

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Sports Minister pledges part of salary to athletes
Wednesday, March 2 2016 (T&T Newsday)

Pictured here is Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs Daryl Smith and TTOC President Brian Lewis.

“We got your back” is the message Sports Minister Darryl Smith is sending to Trinidad and Tobago’s athletes preparing for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We want you, the athletes, to be examples to the youth and of course to honour the red, white and black,” the Minister said, as he pledged five percent of his salary for the period February-August, 2016, to the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.

Smith indicated that the Government is passionate about sport hence it is top priority to support initiatives such as the Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund (10Golds24). He declared Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his Cabinet understand what Olympics can bring and has brought to this nation. “We saw it with Keshorn Walcott, Ato Boldon, George Bovell, and our first Olympic gold medallist, Hasely Crawford amongst others,” he said.

He noted that it is imperative to support this drive and is hopeful that others will be encouraged to donate to the fund.

In December 2015, Dr Rowley, in his address to the nation, said that as a symbolic gesture, he and his Cabinet colleagues decided effective January 2016, for the next two years, they will each donate five percent of their salary to a selected charity, NGO or sporting body of choice.

TTO C’s president Brian Lewis was on hand to receive Minister Smith’s first contribution and stated that he is very pleased that the Minister is displaying his tangible support to the athletes in the drive for 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024. He added that the athletes are doing well with all the different things taking place, but at the end, the focus is Rio 2016 going for gold.