As part of the 2011-2012 budget, the Ministry of Sport has received a total of $415 million in funding from the government for the fiscal year. Of that sum, $28.3 million has been allocated for the development of the island’s sporting facilities which seek to facilitate community participation.
This will include: The completion of Shaw Park Recreational Ground and Cultural Complex. The upgrade of the pavilion and playing field at Roxborough Sporting and Cultural Complex. The renovation of Belle Garden Rural Training Centre including redesign of the bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and classrooms. The commencement of construction of the Bacolet Aquatic Centre. The reconstruction of the pavilion and construction of fencing at Plymouth/Bethesda Sport and Recreational Complex. The establishment of utility roads, drainage works and design for the construction of a new pavilion at Shaw Park Sporting Complex. The refurbishment and upgrade of Hardcourt Facilities and Recreation grounds throughout the island.The Ministry also intends to construct three state of the art mega facilities for the sports of tennis, swimming and cycling, 64 community recreation facilities and 16 community sport centres.
The Ministry will also begin its “Life Sport Programme”, a two-component sport training programme developed to engage troubled young males in positive activity, and revise its Elite Athlete Assistance Policy guidelines to consider team and non-Olympic sports.
It will seek to implement a policy of honouring and rewarding outstanding performances as well as establish a T&T Anti-Doping Organisation to administer and enforce anti-doping rules as outlined by the world anti-doping code.
Its proposed legislative agenda will include the establishment of a sports dispute resolution centre and the revision of the Boxing Board of Control Act 1934.
The research agenda will address the issues of sport participation in T&T as well as framework for advancing sport.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt