Preparedness must be high on our agenda for sport, as such we need to address the issues that directly and indirectly affect our athletes especially as we re-strategise to get them back into training.

This was the sentiment expressed by Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe, as she met with representatives of the ministry, Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT), Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), and the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA) last week, at the Ministry's Nicholas Towers head office.

SporTT was represented by chairman Douglas Camacho and CEO Jason Williams. The TTOC was represented by president Brian Lewis, and the NAAA was represented by president Ephraim Serrette. Minister Cudjoe was supported by the ministry's permanent secretary, Angela Edwards, and the acting Director of Physical Education and Sports, Patrice Charles.

SporTT chairman Douglas Camacho apprised the meeting of the state and status of all the sporting facilities managed by SporTT and advised that based on the company's analysis and trajectory, most facilities are ready for athletes to return but with very strict protocols for use. He stressed that use of the facilities will be properly controlled and with processes and infrastructure in place for sanitisation. The TTOC president indicated that even as planning goes on for the return to sport and the revamping of the sport calendar, the sporting community must pay specific attention to the impact of Covid on the welfare, performance and health of all athletes. He stressed that "we have an inherent responsibility to safeguard the health of athletes in our efforts to support their long term growth and career development."

As it relates to high performance athletes, Camacho indicated that SporTT continued to focus on offering services and support to them, and intends to pay more attention to providing support in the area of sport psychology. He stated that, "we need to work with athlete right throughout their development, not just for tournaments." The meeting also discussed upcoming qualifiers, training programmes, and the administration of the ministry's Elite Athletes Assistance Programme (EAAP).

With the Olympics high on the agenda, Serrette spoke to the NAAA's development agenda and preparation for CARIFTA Games as a lead-up to the Olympics. Serrette, also a vice-president of the TTOC and former athlete, shared the NAAA's ongoing thrust to attract sponsorship from both the private and public sectors. He praised NGC for its continued support, however indicated that there was need for other companies to come forward and partner given the potential of both the NAAA's Youth Elite Athletes Programme and the Kids Athlete Programme.

Serrette said he was pleased to see the merging of the Sport portfolio with that of Community Development under one ministry and committed to supporting the ministry's efforts to advance community sports across T&T. He however reiterated the need for greater attention and investment in training coaches to support school and community programmes.