The T&T Government has made tremendous investments in building a world class Cycling and Aquatic Centre at Balmain Couva and this could well point T&T in the right direction towards achieving a first world developmental region in central.
The Saxton Sporting Oval in Nelson, New Zealand, where the West Indies lost their opening match of the ongoing ICC World Cup, is an example of what could be achieved in T&T. The Saxton Oval has included in it, a world class cricket field, a football stadium, a rugby field, a number of netball courts, basketball courts, table tennis facilities and an indoor gymnasium.
Chief executive of Sport Tasman Nigel Muir took time off to explain to T&T Guardian the vision behind such an arrangement.
"We know the value of sport and what sport can do for the people of Nelson. With this in mind we started to work with the Councils and key funders of this project to make it a reality. This site has been work under progress for the last 10 years and today this 62-hectare site at Nelson has proved to be a tremendous boost in taking sport and our people to where we like to be. The Nelson and Tasman Council owns this property and they make sure that the investment is protected and used for the right purposes.
"We have eight disciplines taking part here netball, volleyball, table tennis, hockey, softball, cricket, football and soon to be cycling. We are giving the people of Nelson the opportunity to come here and no matter what their choices are, they will find the facilities to take their game further.
"The people of Nelson are the most active people in New Zealand and this is not by accident. You look at the area, we have mountains, rivers, lakes and the sea but the this facility has proven to be the difference. Whilst the natural offerings are not always available, the facility is here and can be used at any given time.
"Nelson mirrors life and prepares our young people to deal with what life has to bring to them. We are so excited to have the cricket World Cup here, six nations coming here is just fantastic. It was very emotive for us to hear the national anthems play. We are a people have shone brightly and I am incredibly proud of the volunteers. This region is maturing with sport leading the thrust."
In T&T, the new Minister of Sport Brent Sancho has at his disposal the cycling velodrome, the aquatic centre, the Ato Boldon Stadium and the nearby National Cricket Centre (NCC) all at Balmain and this could now be developed into the hive of T&T's sport.
The Sportt company has already indicated that their mandate is to develop facilities with an eye to human development and Nelson could well be a blueprint.