Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith is enthusiastic about T&T's chances at the coming Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil next year as well as having the "Soca Warriors" qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
Contacted yesterday, Smith said he was really pleased with the work of national football coach Stephen Hart and felt that the country has a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup for yet another time. He is also eyeing a number of medals at the Olympics and is as optimistic as T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis, who expressed the belief that T&T will win ten or more Olympic gold medals.
Smith, who is known for his hard working nature at the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, has promised that a decision will be made on the incomplete Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba before his term of office came to an end.
He did not visit the Brian Lara Stadium during his tour of the sporting facilities but said he will have to do so very soon.
"I have never been to the Brian Lara Stadium and it is only when I go there then I will know what has to be done. I will have to get the engineers and all the necessary people with me before that visit," Smith said.
Smith said life at his ministry was now returning to a state of normalcy following the stint of the previous government and said all will be done to ensure that athletes get the required assistance they need to perform at the top level.
He told the Guardian his aim now was to clean up sports in T&T and get corporate citizens to support it once again.
Only recently Smith made a tour of the new Aquatic Centre and Tennis Facility in Tacarigua and the Cycledrome in Couva to determine their state of readiness for competition ahead of the Olympics. However he said a lot still needed to be done before the facilities can be opened officially for action.
"I really need to get the athletes inside those facilities as soon as possible so work will continue at a pace to try and achieve this," Smith said. He added that tenders for a maintenance contractor will be sent out soon before the completion of the facilities as it was equally important to keep them well kept.
WALTER ALIBEY