Sports Minister opens National Aquatic Centre

The venue, which was constructed by Shanghai Construction Limited, has been designed for swimming, water polo, diving as well as synchronised swimming.

After the unveiling of a plaque, to commemorate the opening of the venue, Smith told the audience gathered, “it’s beautiful, it’s fantastic.

I want to give Shanghai Construction a round of applause for the fantastic work that they did.” The Sports Minister is hopeful that the venue can be used as a means to attract foreign competitors and teams to Trinidad and Tobago and, subsequently, to boost sports tourism.

He said, “sports tourism is something that I want to push. Facilities like this is not just for Trinidad and Tobago and the region, but we also want to push it internationally.

“A number of universities and countries have gotten in contact with us to come and utilise these facilities during the winter time, for their training in water polo, diving and swimming.” He added, “we all have a responsibility and a job to do. We all have to do our part, not just to maintain it but to be good hosts. We want to have events happening here all the time.” Also speaking at the opening ceremony was ASATT (Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago) president Joseph McLeod and English-born Jamaica diver Yona Knight-Wisdom, who, in tandem with 11-year-old English- born TT participant Alicia Ramlakhan, gave a few exhibition dives shortly afterwards.