Over $375,000 subvention for sports

SPORT MINISTER Roger Boynes handed out annual subvention cheques valued over $375,000 to sporting bodies at his Duke Street offices yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation president Oliver Camps received $250,000 for his youth development programme, and Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association (TTGA) represented by Bernard Pantin, was handed a cheque for $40,000 for their coaching programmes. And in addition to the $10,000 Steve Bohal of the Trinidad and Tobago Windball Cricket Association (TTWCA) received, Minister Boynes reminded him of the pending proposal for the establishment of a windball cricket facility.

The Trinidad and Tobago Contract Bridge Association (TTCBA) headed by Joseph Howard was presented with $10,000 while Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association treasurer Dipnarine Singh, got  a cheque for $15,000. Further cheques will be presented to the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, National Pigeon Racing Commission of Trinidad and Tobago and the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago. It was revealed, subventions to national sporting bodies total $4 million per annum. Boynes pointed to the Government’s approval of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, described as the ministry’s executive arm, aimed at  making sport independent of the corporate community in light of their  shortcomings in supporting sport.

The minister also revealed that the Government would look into the administration of sporting facilities formerly controlled by Caroni (1975) Limited, and to the establishment of five regional sporting complexes at Mahaica, Pleasantville, Diego Marin, Santa Cruz and Toco, and a further three indoor youth facilities in Diego Martin, Arima and Sangre Grande, and also the completion of the Yolande Pompey Ground in Princes Town as major points along the way to his ministry’s vision. Meanwhile, the United Nations has declared 2005 the International Year of Physical Education, and Minister Boynes assured that the year would be remembered for the increased development of sport in Trinidad and Tobago.