Students the focal point for Commonwealth Youth Games

THE LOCAL organising committee will roll out an all hands on deck approach in an effort to build interest ahead of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games with children the focal point during the build-up and when the games begin. The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in TT from August 4 to 11 with events in Trinidad and Tobago.

Seven sports will be held during the games including track and field, swimming, cycling, beach volleyball, triathlon, rugby and netball.

The LOC which includes Ministry of Sport and Community Development officials, the Sport Company of TT and the TT Olympic Committee held a meeting on Monday.

Following the meeting, Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe gave an update on the plans for the games.

From May 1, TT senior athletes will visit schools to build interest for the Commonwealth Youth Games.

“We ramp up our efforts from May 1. We visit schools day after day, week after week bringing young people on board, getting them energised and excited, taking athletes to schools, taking entertainers to schools to hype them up and spread the news not only about the Commonwealth Youth Games, but about the Commonwealth and the importance of sporting communities and the importance of sport for the development of youth.”

The Ministry of Education will help facilitate the process of getting students excited about the games.

This is all in an effort to get more children involved in sport. Cudjoe reflected on her time in school in Tobago saying that participating in sport was mandatory.

Children will be allowed to enter events at the games for free. “If you are Under-18 you are guaranteed free access to the games. It is about rallying, mobilising, encouraging, energising young people to recognise and celebrate the contributions sport has made to our development.”

Transport will also be provided for children to get to the games.

Some of the venues are being renovated for the games including the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo which will host athletics. Members of the Commonwealth Youth Games are expected to visit TT next week to get an update on this country’s preparations for the games.