Black Immigrant Daily News

Sports

Jason Williams, CEO of SporTT (left) and Carla Cupid, CEO (interim) of Tourism Trinidad Limited. PHOTO COURTESY SPORTS COMPANY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. –

THE SPORTS Company of TT Ltd (SporTT) and Tourism Trinidad Ltd (TTL) are formalising plans to develop TT as the leading sport tourism destination in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The two state agency CEOs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), that highlights key areas for development and activation, at a ceremony at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva.

Both are adamant that this plan that for the most part is already in motion, and will drive growth in both sectors and foster community and entrepreneurial development.

The MOU seeks to normalise seamless collaboration for developmental activities which can be activated via an already approved sports tourism policy. It will also formalise a singular voice for the two agencies in promotion of sports tourism events locally, regionally, and internationally.

Most importantly will be the optimising of analytics to constantly monitor and refine the sports tourism message, thereby ensuring that destination Trinidad is always top of mind when it comes to international sporting activities and capitalising on revenue generating events.

SporTT CEO Jason Williams said, “Already for the year we have had three major international tournaments – ICC Under-19 cricket, Pan Am swimming and Davis Cup tennis. This shows the confidence placed in our ability to plan and host successfully what are effectively logistical behemoths.

“So as we continue to attract more attention, we must ensure that brand Trinidad is given one unified voice.”

The MOU comes as the state agencies continue formal and informal cross-branding and partnerships. This also assists when it comes to efficiently utilising resources for the execution of sports tourism products and activations.

Interim CEO of TTL Carla Cupid pointed out, “There are obvious synergies between tourism and sports. What this MOU does is build an ecosystem that will ensure that we can comfortably welcome athletes, their fans and supporters.

“We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with SporTT in terms of destination branding, infrastructure development and attracting visitors to sporting events that are in themselves powerful tourism attractions while drawing global attention to destination Trinidad.”

The signing was witnessed by the chairman and board of TTL.

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Statue of Christopher Columbus. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT) has congratulated the Prime Minister for establishing a committee to review the placement of statues, monuments and other historical signage.

However, it says the action is long overdue, and is calling for a more inclusive committee.

In a media release on Tuesday, the committee suggested Dr Claudius Fergus and Prof Brinsley Samaroo, whom it described as historians who have been committed to the decolonisation of the country, should be added.

It also said, “Members of the Warao community, as reported in the daily newspapers, have indicated that the representative of the indigenous people who has been named does not represent their views or the views of indigenous peoples across the hemisphere on this matter. We respectfully submit that the mandate of the committee and the issues of inclusivity and representativeness should be considered and addressed.”

In a media release on August 3, Dr Rowley announced that a five-member team chaired by Emerita Professor Bridget Brereton will review and report on the placement of statues, monuments and other historical signage and recognition throughout the country.

The committee also includes Dr Eastlyn Kate McKenzie, Zaida Rajnauth, Chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez and Kobe Sandy.

The release from the OPM said Cabinet recognised the need for issues associated with the historical placement of statues, monuments and signage to be studied and consideration given to determining what steps and decisions should be taken.

The committee will report to the Cabinet by the end of the year.

The ESCTT said it wants an explicit mandate for the committee, as it is tasked with arriving at an outcome based on social justice, the affirmation of universal human values and re-education of the citizenry.

“This should not be seen as just another technical committee. The ESCTT considers the job of the committee to be profound and consistent with its own advocacy and that of the Caribbean Freedom Project. We therefore view with concern the constitution of such a committee without representation from the ESCTT, which has been re-educating people on our history for decades, or a representative of the Caribbean Freedom Project that has ignited the interest of a new generation.”

The ESCTT said there are tangible reminders of the past glorifying major crimes, along with their perpetrators, in street names and other, symbolic monuments that continuously reinforce colonial values and ideas of white supremacy.

It added that the naming of streets and other forms of recognition to some abusers in the country’s colonial past obliterates the recognition of and concerns for the genocide committed against the indigenous peoples, the dehumanisation of Africans enslaved to replace them and the exploitation that characterised Indian indentureship.

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On Monday, two men sustained injuries after a suspected drive-by shooting in Marchand, Castries.

Police said the incident occurred about 8:30 pm along Marchand Road.

A police release said investigations revealed that one of the men sustained multiple shots to the torso area and was in critical condition.

According to the release, the other man is suspected of also having been shot in the torso area.

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The police release explained that investigations are ongoing, and no suspects are currently in custody.

Headline photo: Stock image

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