National sporting organisations the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) have all congratulated newly-appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and are looking forward to working with him.
TTOC president Brian Lewis said the Minister will have to hit the ground running as there are a number of pressing issues in the in tray. “With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games less than a year away. There is no margin for error. The National Anti-Doping Organisation is still to be established. The Elite Athlete Assistance Programme requires attention,” Lewis outlined.
“Given the economic realities, important but hard decisions will have to be made. “The TTOC looks forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss Rio 2016 and 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 among other aspects in respect of Olympic sports in Trinidad and Tobago,” Lewis added.
Meanwhile, TTCB president Azim Bassarath has high expectations for Smith, saying that after a tumultuous five-year period at the Ministry of Sport-- under three different ministers-- his organisation is looking forward to working with the new appointee for the benefit of the cricket community and the nation at large.