Young swimmers in the deep

The Swimming Association had hoped to send a 72 — member team, which includes two water polo squads, to the age group contest from August 1 to 8.

However their plans are now in limbo after the Director of Sports, Paul Newallo, reportedly told the swimming officials that Government can only afford to pay half of the airfare of each swimmer to Santo Domingo.

This amounts to $1,900 as the chartered air fare to the Dominican Republic is $3,800. But it will cost at least $7,800 for each swimmer to participate, an expense which covers air fare, accommodation, meals and an out of pocket allowance.

Now angry parents are questioning why they should continue to bear the brunt of their children’s expenses when they are representing Trinidad and Tobago overseas and Government officials are reluctant to foot the bill.

It was pointed out that nowhere in the ministry’s "Grants to National Sporting Organisations" guidebook is there provision for half of the team’s airfare when taking part in overseas competitions.

In fact, it is stated: "These grants shall cover up to 50 percent in the case of approved local and overseas projects."

According to the budget submitted on June 30 to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, approximately $561,000 will be neded to successfully allow the team to take part in the CCCAN, the highest level of competition for age group swimmers in the region.

However the angry parents of the swimmers chosen to go to the Dominican Republic have trained their guns on Newallo for the slap in the face of the young, promising water babies.

It especially irks them that Newallo is a former national swimmer who has represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympic Games.

Additionally he is the coach designate for the CCCAN team for Santo Domningo.

"We can’t understand how the coach of the team who is in a position to help has refused to do so on legitimate grounds. We do not need any favours. We want him to apply the guidelines fairly," one parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

She wanted to know whether there was a conflict of interest issue with Newallo as coach of the national team who is also an official sitting to decide how much funds the team could get for the overseas trip.

So once again parents of the swimmers, who recently excelled at the National Long Course Championships will be asked to dig deep into their pockets to come up with scarce funds to bring recognition to Trinidad and Tobago in a regional competition.

They also heaped criticism of the Swimming Association for being passive in the face of the blunt denial by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

"The Swimming Association is dead. They have not lifted a finger to help raise funds to assist the swimmers. Parents are the ones driving the accomplishments of the young swimmers," one parent observed.

Ordinarily the parents would contribute a part of the expenses while sponsors have done their share in the past but it is feared that corporate entities cannot be approached at every turn especially when national teams travel overseas.