WALTER ALIBEY
Due to the successful staging of the Caribbean International Invitational Sambo Championships a week ago, the country has earned the option to host the Pan American Sambo Championship in July next year.
Jason Fraser, president of the local sambo federation said officials of the International Sambo Federation who were here, were pleased with the event.
However, he believes that more of an input from government and corporate T&T has to be made if they are to host another international event.
The Pan Am Games, scheduled for July 19- 25 is set to feature over 400 fighters and supporters from 45 countries, which Fraser believes will be an ideal opportunity for T&T, for the second time in less than a year, to capitalize on sports tourism.
In the wake of the championships last week, the federation has been reeling in debt as the event came off due to credit from hotels and other suppliers.
Fraser is calling on Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe and corporate T&T to help his federation clear mounting debts. He did not say how much the bills amount to, but noted, as the leader of the federation, he has been bombarded by calls for him to settle the outstanding bills. These debts are to be settled before a national team begins preparation for the Pan Am in its home country.
On April 28 at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) in Balmain Couva, the country's sport and combat sambo fighters were exposed to over five million viewers worldwide and gave an impressive display that led to world recognition. This included a gold medal performance by hometown hero Gershom Griffith, destroying Grenada's Afaro Roberts by TKO in the 62kg division combat sambo final, while Joash Walkins brought the crowd to its feet in another hotly contested 52kg final of the combat sambo, by beating by Julio Rodriguez of Brazil by unanimous decision.
In boxing former national heavyweight champion Kertson Manswell was stopped by Jeremy Rudolpho in the second round and Earlon Maloney sent Barbadian Koby Brown to the canvas as early as the second round to claim the win.
In addition to staging a successful tournament, Fraser was high in praise to FLOW Sports, Caribbean Media Corporation and Condor Broadcasting for taking the event throughout the region and all parts of the globe.