media_artricles :: 2014

Sports Minister greets returning athletes

Newly-appointed Minister of Sport Dr Rupert Griffith says he has several plans for his new post, though his first step will be to familiarise himself with the range of issues before moving ahead.

Griffith was speaking during a welcome reception for the returning Commonwealth Games athletes at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport yesterday.

In his first public appearance since replacing former minister Anil Roberts, Griffith said he would meet with his department heads today.

“I want to get a feel of the ministry, where they are now and where they are going and then as minister I will try to identify the most pressing needs, particularly for the athletes,” he said. “I have my plans but I don’t want to reveal them at this point.”

Griffith, who is serving simultaneously as the Minister of Science and Technology, will be meeting with the various heads of the national sporting organisations next week.

“Let us find out what the needs are and then what the wants are and see how we can juxtapose the needs with the wants and place it against the resources so that whatever we do will be in the best interest of the athletes, so that when we go out there we are fully equipped to compete and can continue to bring home more medals for T&T.”

He indicated that while the projects for the country’s various sporting facilities would be going ahead, though he wanted to examine the case of the unfinished Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, which began construction under the PNM administration nine years ago.

“It’s one of the projects I want to look at. It’s a long way from completion still and there’s a lot of money involved. I will be taking a very detailed look at it and how we should go forward.”

Among the returning athletes at yesterday’s reception were javelin silver medallist Keshorn Walcott and lightweight bronze medallist Michael Alexander. Walcott, who set a new national record of 85.28 metres in the opening round, said he was satisfied with his performance.

“It was a great achievement for me getting a personal best. I think that was the best aspect of the games for me,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of injuries so I’m just trying to get myself back to where I want to be.”

Meanwhile, Alexander was thrilled with his result.

“I went to the games with one mindset, which was to medal, and I came through,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it. I feel great knowing that it was my first big international event. I gained a lot of experience and got to see some new styles of boxing from other countries.”

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