Rewards for winning medals – $3.7m Govt funding for CAC athletes

GOVERNMENT provided $3.7m in funding for the athletes who represented this country at the recently concluded XXIV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador.

This was confirmed in a press release from the Sport Ministry on Thursday.

The release said the ministry provided the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) with $3,766,506 to facilitate this country's participation in the games.

At the games, which took place in El Salvador from June 23-July 8, approximately 251 persons comprising athletes and officials, participated in ten team sports including basketball, beach soccer, volleyball, rugby, hockey, netball and water polo.

The ministry noted and celebrated the athletes' performance which saw TT earn 19 medals including eight gold, seven silver and four bronze.

The ministry said that under the National Incentives and Rewards Framework – which was designed to provide appropriate recognition and support to athletes who bring honour to TT – it will reward the athletes who participated in the CAC Games as follows:

INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES

Adults

Gold – $62,500

Silver – $31,250

Bronze –$15,625

Juniors

Gold – $5,000 in UTC Units

Silver – 3,000 in UTC Units

Bronze – $2,000 in UTC Units

PARA-ATHLETES

Adults

Gold – $18,750

Silver – $9,375

Bronze – $4,688

Juniors

Gold – $5,000 in UTC Units

Silver – 3,000 in UTC Units

Bronze – $2,000 in UTC Units

RELAY TEAMS

Adults

Gold – $31,250.00

Silver – $15,625.00

Bronze – $7,813.00

Juniors

Gold – $5,000 in UTC Units

Silver – 3,000 in UTC Units

Bronze – $2,000 in UTC Units

OTHER TEAMS

Adults

Gold – $7,500.00

Silver – $5,000.00

Bronze – $2,500.00

Juniors

Gold – $5,000 in UTC Units

Silver – 3,000 in UTC Units

Bronze – $2,000 in UTC Units

The ministry said these rewards are a testament to government’s commitment to supporting athletes in their development.

"Through this framework, we aim to not only celebrate their achievements but also provide them with the resources and support needed to reach even greater heights in their respective sporting disciplines," the release said.