Govt sports policy

LOCAL sporting organisations have been “called to arms” by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. The TTFF have called all national sporting bodies to a one-day forum at the Ken Galt Auditorium, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tun-apuna, from 6 pm, to discuss government’s policy. According to the TTFF, the policy of government is that “all government sport facilities pay their way.” But in doing so, sporting organisations have been debarred from using sports facilities while other ad-hoc bodies are granted use because the national association is indebted to government.

Case in point is the Trinidad and Tobago women hockey squads, preparing for international competition being debarred from using the facility constructed at Tacarigua primarily for their use, while a “private” wind-ball cricket tournament was granted permission to use the ground. The TTFF have issued invitations to both Sports Minister Roger Boynes and Education Minister Hazel Manning, and expect to have them attend. At this forum, sporting organisations are expected to make their voice heard concerning having to pay for the use of facilities constructed for sports.