After receiving unanimous support from all clubs present at the most recent General Council meeting, followed by glowing support from the Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith on Friday, the T&T Cycling Federation (T&TCF) will host a major continental cycling event for the first time ever.
This after it was confirmed that this year's Junior Pan American Track Cycling Championships will be held at the new National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva from August 27-31. Minister Smith was in high praise for the initiative and was vocally supportive of the venture.
The event, which will pit home team T&T against junior cyclists from all over the Americas a nd the Caribbean is poised to be the biggest cycling event ever hosted in the Caribbean’s most southern island with over 200 cyclists from over 20 countries battling on the pristine boards in Couva.
Following the support received, Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) president, Jose Palaez was informed and he too was ecstatic about the news. Palaez had a personal tour of the venue last October and was in awe of the quality and the facility’s grandeur.
A local organizing committee has already been formed and is currently working assiduously at planning and raising the funds required to make the event a huge success.
President of the T&TCF, Robert Farrier could not contain his elation that such a prestigious event, one that T&T has been highly successful at in previous years, will be coming home to T&T.
Farrier stated that it is a perfect opportunity for T&T to support their own, right here in Couva as the national team sets off fireworks on the track on Independence weekend.
Farrier also noted that the event is an opportune example for the Federation to move away from single source funding from the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT) and it is an attractive opportunity for corporate T&T to buy into.
With expected media coverage from South, Central, North America and the Caribbean paying attention to the event coupled with the thousands expected to be in attendance over the five day event, it is a marketing dream waiting to be lapped up.