Hampton Games to cost $1.3M at Gomes Stadium

The dates May 1 and 2 next year are set for the staging of the 30th Hampton International Games at the Larry Gomes Stadium.

According to the budget proposal, the cost of hosting the two-day competition is $1,316,000 with the revenue projection being $1,525,000, making for a profit of $209,000. But Games Chairman Rawle Raphael is again lamenting the lack of support from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs for the annual track and field fiesta. Raphael, a member of the NAR Government of 1986-91, highlighted the ministry’s complete failure to assist in the 2003 event, stating in a letter “the 29th Hampton International Games was not listed as a priority with your ministry.”

According to the letter addressed to Sports Minister Roger Boynes, dated April 17, 2003, Raphael noted: “In these circumstances, you could not submit a request to Cabinet for supplementary funding as advised by (Junior Finance) Minister (Conrad) Enill, whom we met as a request to the Prime Minister, for a meeting to obtain financial advice.” Throwing verbal punches at Boynes, Raphael continued: “I recalled that a meeting with you, prior to the meeting with Minister Enill, we were informed that you were supporting the 29th Games one hundred percent and that we would receive a letter to this effect.” But Raphael admitted that the letter was not received by April 19. On another note, the Hampton Games Chairman is asking the ministry for a helping hand to support the men’s and women’s 100-metre international races to the tune of $312,000.

An analysis of the package offered to the ministry include $216,000 for six athletes (three men and three women), $40,000 for accommodation (including two coaches) and $56,000 in airfare. The appearance fee for 20 international athletes is $720,000; airfare for a total of 30 athletes and officials (including six overseas-based Trinidad and Tobago competitors) $180,000; cash prizes $90,000, accommodation $150,000; transportation $25,000; advertisements $70,000; trophies and medals $26,000 and operational costs $55,000 for an overall tally of $1,316,000. The costs are counter-balanced by an expected turnover of $.2 million, which will be derived through Government’s allocation of $1.1 million, $300,000 from ticket sales, $100,000 in donations and $25,000 from fundraisers.