Coaches hope Shamfa helps develop sports sector

Sports’ coaches in Tobago are hoping recently appointed Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe will make an impact on the sports sector in Tobago, working with them and athletes, especially in making available needed resources. At a Playground to Podium coach and athlete seminar at the Division of Education on Monday, a number of coaches said they were hoping that Cudjoe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tobago West, will be an advocate for the sector. Lester Osouna Trinidad, a coach of 52 years, said Cudjoe was capable of making a difference for athletes in Tobago.

“She (Cudjoe) did say she came from a youth programme and once you come from a youth programme, you ought to know what triggers off good performances, good morals, good ethical characters in young people. “Cudjoe also did come from tourism where there was sport tourism, so coming into sports, the ability to handle that sector is still there…(she) is someone who could lobby and advise and she has a lot of that to do for the sport industry in Tobago,” he said.

Osouna Trinidad didn’t have great expectations that conditions and resources to develop sports in Tobago sports in Tobago will improve, however.

“When it comes to sports, the stories are always the same, it’s either bad administration, lack of funding, resources and support…What might be administratively sound may not be politically expedient so sometimes politicians hands are tied and they can’t even do what they would like to do and sometimes it’s the same with administrators.”

He encouraged coaches to stay committed despite the challenges.

“I have had politicians and administrators say no to things but I have never had an athlete say no to my coaching. I want coaches all over to go and coach, finds athletes and regular people to train while putting your best foot forward….

Duly Lucas, President of the Tobago Falcon’s Athletics Club and member of the National Association of Athletes Association said he has no expectations for improvements but was hoping for better anyway.

“The reality is the sports minister is also guided by the advice which is given and what is taken. She is an MP for Tobago and a former minister of tourism, which should give her a further responsibility to ensure the facilities are in place to gather momentum for the sports tourism projects that was launched this year.”

Lucas said he hopes to see the construction of new facilities and accessibility of existing sporting facilities around the island along with the provision of funding and resources for Tobago athletes.

Track and field coach attached to the Tobago House ofAssembly (THA) Sports Department, Aluko Chadband, said he has no confidence in the authorities to effect change for the development of Tobago sporting industry unless they look to meet the needs of the athletes.

On the possible impact Cudjoe will have on the sector, he said: I expect her to listen to the views of the people directly involved in sports. I know her, and I admire her drive and willingness to get things done. I would like to see her begin to implement greater access to sporting facilities and put a better provision support system in place for Tobago coaches.”