Athletes in Tobago may have to wait a bit longer to continue their training at the Dwight Yorke Stadium because repair works were under-budgeted by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.Speaking at the post Executive Council news conference on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary Jomo Pitt who has the responsibility for sports in Tobago, said the revelation was made to him when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Sport Anil Roberts on Tuesday.
Pitt said the ministry was basing the figures on a report which was done in 2005."There is a strong possibility that they may not be able to fund the entire amount of the repairs to the stadium which they were basing their budget on in a 2005 report that was done."In the initial budget they had $77 million to repair five stadia which would be the four in Trinidad plus Tobago" he said.
The Dwight Yorke Stadium currently falls under the ambit of the Central Government. However Pitt said the Tobago House of Assembly may have to offset the cost in the best interest of the Tobago athletes."He anticipates that this cost would be in the excess of $152 million, clearly not what they budgeted for with $77 million. Therefore there is a very strong possibility that once again the THA would have to again pick up the cost wherever the void is," Pitt said.
He added there is an updated report being done and is expected to be completed and submitted to Sport Minister Roberts by the end of April. He noted at that time the THA would be able to get a better appreciation of the actual cost of the repairs and would be able to make an informed decision.
