Caption: Screengrab from video showing tables set up at the National Cycling Velodrome for an all fours competition over the weekend
By Prior Beharry
THE Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) says that an all-fours competition at the National Cycling Velodrome (NCV) in Couva this weekend was within the venue’s usage policy.
SporTT issued a release on Saturday after a video on social media showed the centre of the velodrome set up for an all fours competition with tables, chairs and beers. Electronic Russian roulette gambling machines were also seen in the video.
The person in the video described the situation as “sad”. He said, “This is our great cycling facility… One of the things that they said will help crime and all them kind of thing, very sad this morning. No training because of game machine, gambling, all fours all set up… a bar, all the nice drinks and thing down here… This is a sporting facility… no information to the athletes and them, we come here to train and they say no.”
He added, sarcastically, “Very, very impressive we will make it.”
In the release SpotTT stated, “The event is a Trinidad and Tobago All Fours Federation (TTAFF) tournament, being hosted from 24-25 August. As a National Governing Body for sport (NGB), recognised by the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, TTAFF is entitled to book the venue in accordance with the venue’s usage policy.
“SporTT can confirm that the booking for this event was approved on 15 July. Stakeholders, including the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF), were informed on 31 July that the National Cycling Velodrome has been booked for an alternate event this weekend, more than three weeks before the planned event.
“SporTT policy dictates that requests to host national sport activities at national facilities must be made through NGBs. NGBs are also responsible for informing athletes under their purview once updated that a relevant national facility is unavailable.
“Further, while cycling is the primary sport hosted at NCV, the venue is a multisport facility. The centre court floor is also used for hosting various sporting events, including gymnastics, netball, basketball and jump rope competitions.
“Regarding the nature of the event, SporTT can confirm that gambling is not part of the tournament. The machinery depicted on the premises was placed there during the offloading of tables and chairs from a delivery vehicle and is not a part of setup for the TTAFF event. Food and drink in the competition area of all national facilities is also strictly prohibited.
“The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its commitment to sport development and supporting national athletes at every level.”
This is evidence why the PNM sport policy continue to fail us. And we ask why no medals for 2 consecutive Olympics. And we stay in our boots and wonder and KCR sits in the comfort of the diplomatic centre and pontificate on the stupidity of his supporters. As JW former MP for Chag West has predicted. No World Cup qualification . PNM has appointed a PNM councilor as head coach of TT which will get us no where as with TTCB who also has a Balisier juice drinker as president and now has to account for misappropriation of money