ASATT boss: Preparations on stream for CCCAN

This year’s edition will take place from June 22 to July 2, with the swimming, water polo, diving and synchronised swimming disciplines being contested at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva while the open water category will be held at Turtle Beach, Tobago from June 24-26.

In an interview yesterday, Lai Hing said, “We’re just fine-tuning, with respect to the logistics and all who’re coming in, but the main groundwork has been done.

“The Sports Company has already started to convert the pools, because the (water polo) is the first (event). All the relevant equipments are being tested out.” Lai Hing continued, “With respect to the facility, everything is up and in a gear.

Administrative-wise, we’re just tying up with the police and the various entities (that) we have on board.

Because of some of the parties that are coming to the Meet, we have some very high-level people coming from FINA (the global governing body). So we have to make sure that security is at its highest.” The water polo will take place from June 22-28, the swimming will run from June 28 to July 2 and the diving and synchronised swimming will be staged from June 29 to July 2.

As much as 31 countries are expected to feature at the CCCAN Championships.

Lai Hing noted, “We have some of the other (nations) coming in like Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

They’re coming for the open water and the water polo, because the water polo tournament is actually a qualifier for the CAC Games. So the Open category, the water polo, is going to be huge.” This will be the biggest event to be staged, thus far at the Aquatic Centre, and Lai Hing commented, “We can host four of the disciplines because we have the capacity.

It’s exciting time for aquatics in Trinidad and Tobago but, what is also good about it, is that the country will be able to have international people coming in, because the boost for sports tourism is great right now.” Concerning the TT squad, Lai Hing said, “The Trinidad and Tobago team trains once a week.

This Thursday, we’ll be having TTOC bringing some of their people to do a workshop with the young athletes with respect to protocols.

“This Meet is the highest-level Meet in this region, for example Dylan Carter, Joshua Romany, Cherelle Thompson, the more international-flavoured athletes, they’re not even here yet.

They’ll be coming in closer to the tournament because they have their various programmes (that) they’re working on. In addition to that, the Meet is also a qualifier for World Seniors, which these same athletes are aspiring to take part in.” With regards to seating accommodation for the large influx of competitors, and fans, at the Aquatic Centre, Lai Hing stated, “Actually, for the water polo, because we’re using two pools, we will be having bleachers on the outside.

“The capacity for the stand is almost 900, so we’re hoping the overspill wouldn’t be too much,” he continued. “We really wouldn’t want to have to turn away people.

The (swimming events) goes in sessions, mornings and evenings.

Because it’s usually working time, we don’t expect the morning period to be as saturated as the afternoon sessions.

“We have to work within the constraints of what the facility offers,” Lai Hing ended.