FACILITIES WHICH were outlined as part of the sporting package in the 2012-2013 National Budget by Finance Minister Larry Howai on Monday are under construction.

In the 2011-2012 Budget presentation by then-Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, it was announced that work will begin on three new sporting venues - the National Tennis Centre in Tacarigua (next to the Eddie Hart Ground) as well as the National Aquatic Centre and the Cycling Velodrome in Couva (next to the Ato Boldon Stadium).

And Howai, on Monday, reiterated that the facilities “will be constructed in readiness for international competition and built according to international specifications to attract world-class athletes to Trinidad and Tobago to provide the required exposure to our athletes and provide the opportunity for Sport Tourism.”

Sports Minister Anil Roberts, in an interview on Monday, pointed out, “at the Eddie Hart Ground, phase one was done, with the upgrade of the car-park and so on. Then to the east of (the Ground), is the National Tennis Centre, which has begun.

“The Aquatic Centre has begun in Couva, next to the Ato Boldon (Stadium) and the Cycling Velodrome has begun,” he continued. “You’ll see work moving apace on those sites, as well as recreational grounds across Trinidad and Tobago, and most recently three grounds and three basketball courts in (Laventille).”

Finance Minister Howai said that the Sports Ministry and the Planning and Sustainable Development Ministry will jointly prepare “a marketing programme for hosting international events and aimed at encouraging international sports-men and women to come to Trinidad and Tobago, particularly during the winter months to utilise the facilities for which we are seeking appropriate franchisees.

“During their stay, they would compete with our local athletes which will assist our development to world-class standards.”

Roberts, asked about Trinidad and Tobago as a sports tourism location, replied, “we move towards the next three years to develop Sports Festivals in April and October for Trinidad and Tobago, as well as during the winter months.

“Every 10,000 tourists that we can get here will add to the annual GDP (gross domestic product) of the country by approximately $120 million,” continued Roberts. “So over the next five years, we would want to develop the sport tourism industry, where we can reach a target of 50,000 visitors to Trinidad and Tobago annually based on sport, whether it is for sporting events, whether it is for training, whether it is for competition.

“In that way, we can add to the national pie over half a billion dollars to Trinidad and Tobago’s revenue position, as we move sport to a true industry,” he ended.

-Joel Bailey

Source: www.newsday.co.tt