Cudjoe calls for support amid slow ticket sales for Commonwealth Youth Games

HOW hard is it to come out and support young athletes? It's a question Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe seeks answers to as she revealed ticket sales for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games have been slow.

Trinidad and Tobago will host the games for the first time from August 4-11.

Over 1,000 athletes representing 70 countries will compete in athletics/para-athletics, cycling, swimming, triathlon, rugby sevens, beach volleyball and fast five netball.

Athletes will compete at venues on both islands – Hasely Crawford Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre, the National Cycling Velodrome, the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Black Rock and the Buccoo Beach Facility.

Tickets to beach volleyball, FAST5 netball, rugby sevens, swimming, track cycling and athletics will cost US$5, and the opening ceremony for $US7.50.

Road cycling (road race and time trial) and triathlon are open events and free to the public.

Those under the age of 18 have free access to all games but must still book seats through the ticketing platform.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://tikkets.com and at each venue.

Speaking to Newsday on Wednesday afternoon at her office in Port of Spain, Cudjoe said ticket sales were not good.

"Last week when we checked the numbers, if we sold 100 tickets in any one area, we sold plenty."

She added, "At the end of the day, people are not going online to use their credit card to buy tickets for this event. We're not fully that kind of people just yet."

She said for the opening ceremony, the ministry and the organising committee are inviting a lot of people, including community groups.

In addition, the ministry will distribute some free tickets.

Expressing her disappointment in the slow sales, she said, "It's a lot of people online saying they love sport and have all these comments, but can you just simply do your part and support our athletes? How hard is that?"

She urged the public to come out and support the athletes, especially as many of them will have their "first claim to fame in these games.

"We all have to believe in this dream of utilising sport to unite and make that impact and be that sporting country that we want to be.

"We look on at Jamaica and we say this and that, but it's a part of the culture in Jamaica, it's a part of how they breathe, how they eat, how they live..."

Earlier this year, Cudjoe visited Jamaica to continue bilateral talks on helping boost school sports in TT.

Cudjoe said, "In TT, we're real happy people, but I'll be even more happy if they come out and fully support these youngsters as they step out into the world."

Recalling that TT won the bid to host the games by just one point, she said: "I'm going to make that one point count.

"I hope all of TT rises to the occasion."

Reiterating her belief that sport and education go hand in hand, she said to help bring young, talented athletes to the forefront requires giving attention to the school system.

"It's not just about getting athletes to win medals. It's about truly maximising the full potential of sport to transform lives, to unite communities, to build confidence in our youngsters, to teach them networking skills, team-building skills, how to manage time, how to win, how to lose gracefully...Those are qualities and characteristics that are important not only for sport but for their performance at school and for when they get out into the world to lead and make a proper contribution to the economy and the development of TT, the Caribbean and the rest of the world."