The potential for a commercially viable Trinidad and Tobago sport industry is huge. However a critical success factor is  strong sport governance systems and procedures.

Many of the existing Constitutions under which national sport organisations and national governing bodies  operate need to be modernized and amended to include basic universal principles of good governance.

The Ministry of Sport, Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) must cooperate and work together to foster, facilitate and enable the necessary changes and reform.

We can't sweep the issue of poor sports governance under the carpet . Its not about making cosmetic changes. There is need for reform.

Some sports are operating in an undemocratic manner and aren't conducting their affairs in a transparent and accountable manner.

The ultimate victims are the athletes,children, youth and young people and the best interest and sustainable development of sport.

Constitutional reform is a priority in Trinidad and Tobago Sport.

Edmonton tonight withdrew its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games because of economic problems caused by the drop in worldwide oil prices, claiming that they wanted to focus on 2026 instead.

Since Edmonton announced its intention to bid the Alberta Government has seen their fiscal programme go from a CAD$500 million (£260 million/$397 million/€351 million) surplus to a CAD$7 billion (£3.5 billion/$5.5 billion/€5 billion) deficit due to world oil prices, Canadian officials said in a statement.

This drop will have significant impact on the economy, affecting most sectors throughout Alberta Province, they added.

The decision leaves Durban in South Africa as the only bidder for the Games, putting them in pole position to become the first city in Africa to host a major multi-sport event.

Edmonton had estimated that it would cost CAD$1 billion (£520 million/$795 million/€702 million) to host the Games, which it had last staged in 1978.

Of that, the City of Edmonton was expected to pay 20 per cent with Alberta making up the remaining $800 million (£417 million/$636 million/€562 million).

The decision to pull the plug was taken following a meeting involving City of Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Reg Milley, the President of Edmonton 2022.

They decided they could not continue to justify the bid, which was estimated to have cost CAD$7 million (£3.5 million/$5.5 million/€5 million), with half that amount coming from Alberta.

"In light of this, we determined that we could not in good conscious put forth our bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games," said Milley.

"We strongly believe in the values of the Commonwealth Games and all that they stand for.

"Which is why this has not been an easy decision for us, as our team has been working tirelessly these last months to put together an extraordinary bid.  

"But we believe that at this time it would not be right to move forward with our bid when cuts are being made in our communities to programmes like in education and health."

Edmonton 2022 notified the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) earlier today it would not be submitting a bid but is instead shifting its focus to 2026.

"We have spoken to the Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg and he expressed his disappointment that we are not proceeding with our bid, noting all the hard work that has gone into the Edmonton 2022 bid," said Richard Powers, President of Commonwealth Games Canada.

"He reaffirmed that the Federation was committed to working closely with us as we refocus our efforts to bring Games back to Canada in 2026."

The decision, which no-one had predicted, means Edmonton certainly lived up to its bid logo of "Expect Extraordinary".

They had been considered the clear front-runner to host the Games due to Durban's lack of activity and organisation since they launched their bid last March.

But, unless another city steps in at the last moment, which appears unlikely, the CGF will now have no choice but to turn to Africa for the first time since the Games was first held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.  

"We are obviously disappointed to hear Edmonton will not be part of the host city bidding process for the 2022 Commonwealth Games," said Grevemberg.

"The Edmonton bid team, in collaboration with their partners, has worked hard to lay the foundations of a great bid and we will work closely with them as they focus all efforts on bringing the Commonwealth Games back to Canada - where the Commonwealth Games first began - in 2026.

"We now look forward enthusiastically to working with the Durban 2022 Bid team and their partners through the evaluation process so, together as a Commonwealth sporting movement, we can realise the ambitions of delivering Africa's first Commonwealth Games."

The CGF is due to officially announce the host city for 2022 at its General Assembly in Auckland on September 2.

Edmonton had been in the final stages of putting together its final Bid Book which was due to be presented to the CGF at a special ceremony in London on March 2.

"We are of course very saddened by this decision, but we know that this is the right one for the future of our city, Province and country," said Simon Farbrother, the chief executive of Edmonton 2022.

"The Commonwealth Games have strong roots in Canada and we plan to be able to come back for the 2026 Games should the economic status allow.

"Of course, we are committed to supporting all sport events coming to our wonderful city and especially look forward to welcoming the FIFA Women's World Cup this summer."

Source

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today DICK'S Sporting Goods as its latest sponsor.

The Pittsburgh-based sports company will provide Team USA athletes with sportswear and will also donate sporting goods to US Olympic Training Centres ahead of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Perhaps the most innovative part of the deal is the Team USA Store Ambassador Programme, where DICK's will offer employment to budding Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls in one of its more than 550 shops in 46 states.

DICK's, founded in 1948 in Binghamton, New York, will accommodate the needs of the athletes by fitting their working pattern around their training schedules, and they hope the participants will be able to share their passion with customers.

"We believe in the spirit of athletes and the power of their dreams," Lauren Hobart,  senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of DICK's.

"We plan to be there to support the athletes who need it most, in a way that no other sporting goods retailer possibly can."

Kerri Walsh Jennings, the three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist, also heralded the agreement between USOC and DICK's and claimed the deal will be of great benefit to American athletes.

"A lot of us have to work as well as compete so the help DICK's will provide us with is amazing," she said.

"It's great to be here today and I want to welcome DICK's to the team.

"Get ready to win gold."

"I don't think about winning bronze or silver and I know we're going to achieve great things."

The agreement, effective from today, is the first time DICK's have been involved in sponsorship in sport and USOC chief marketing officer Lisa Baird echoed the sentiments of Jennings.

"We are thrilled to welcome DICK'S Sporting Goods to our great family of USOC partners," she added.

"DICK'S support of Team USA athletes, including opportunities for employment in the communities where they live and train, opens up new pathways for America's elite athletes to achieve their dream of competing on the biggest stage in sport."

Source

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has received the news of the passing of the  President of the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) Mario Vazquez Rana with sadness.

The TTOC extends sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Pan American Sport Organization(PASO) President Mario Vazquez Rana.

President Rana's contribution to the growth and development of the Olympic movement in the Americas is immense , unquestioned and influential .

PASO is in a strong financial position. The organization is highly respected in the global Olympic movement.

Whatever differences of opinions there may have been during his long and illustrious tenure was a reflection of his honesty, integrity, passion , enthusiasm and commitment for the Olympic movement.

The Americas  is preparing to stage its first Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

The PASO region will also host both the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and the IOC Session at which the host of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics will be selected in Lima in 2017.

President of PASO since 1975. He has left a strong,dynamic  and vibrant legacy  one that PASO and its member countries will be able to build on in a positive way. The TTOC is deeply appreciative of his outstanding efforts and contribution.

Its the end of an era. May he rest in Peace.

Brian Lewis

President

TTOC

Mario Vázquez Raña, one of the most powerful actors in the Olympic Movement in the latter part of the 20th century, has died at the age of 82.

The Mexican newspaper magnate had been ill for some time and had been unable to attend last month's General Assembly of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) in Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific coast.

He remained PASO President at the time of his death.

His passing is set, accordingly, to trigger a leadership election for the post he had held since 1975, with Brazil's Carlos Nuzman and José Joaquín Puello from the Dominican Republic widely seen as front runners.

In a statement on the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) website, Carlos Padilla Becerra, COM President, described Vázquez Raña's death as "an irreparable loss".

He added: "The Olympic family in Mexico and the world is in mourning for this loss...

"A man who had the intelligence to raise American sport to its highest level has gone away."

As well as PASO, Vázquez Raña presided over the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for 33 years before resigning unexpectedly in March 2012.

He also spent 10 years from 2002 in the highly influential post of head of Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) programme that manages the share of IOC broadcasting income, running into hundreds of millions of dollars, belonging to the National Olympic Committees and redistributes these funds via a variety of programmes.

Vázquez Raña's death comes as South America is preparing to stage its first Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

The PASO region will also host both the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and the IOC Session at which the host of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics will be selected in Lima in 2017.

Source

New Zealand claimed victory at the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in front of their home fans in Wellington today.

The two teams had already met in the tournament in Pool B, with New Zealand coming out on top 24-5, but the final was a much closer affair albeit with the same outcome, with the All Blacks earning a 27-21 victory.

They appeared to be cruising to the title as they led at half time by 15-7 but the England team put in an improved display to close the deficit in the second half.

Yet they were unable to turn the match around with New Zealand claiming five tries to England's three, with Rieko Ioane crossing the line twice for the hosts.

New Zealand's win was the first of this year's series and moves them up to second in the overall standings behind South Africa, who they overcame by a 17-7 scoreline in the semi-final stage, with 17-year-old debutant Ioane having excelled in that match as well.

England's hard fought journey to the final might have had a factor in their narrow defeat, having overcome Fiji and Scotland in sudden death extra time in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.

Despite their defeat Scotland will leave New Zealand positive about their performances having appeared in the fourth ever Sevens World Series semi-final and only their first outside of Britain.

But they were outplayed by South Africa with their third place match ending in a 40-7 defeat.

South Africa have retained their advantage in the overall standings with 76 points with New Zealand closing the gap as they sit on 69 points, while Fiji and Australia make up the top four although England are now close behind.

The next leg of the World Series will be held in Las Vegas, with New Zealand drawn in Pool A alongside Fiji, Samoa and Wales, while beaten finalists in Wellington England will face off against Argentina, Canada and Kenya in Pool B.

Overall leaders South Africa will face Japan, Portugal and the US in Pool C, while hosts of the Olympic tournament Brazil will come up against Australia, France and Scotland in a very competitive Pool D.

There are four guaranteed qualifying positions for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games available while the remaining places will be sealed in continental competitions.

Source