Manning was a great friend of sport; SPORTT praises legacy of late Prime Minister

“The sport sector benefitted directly from Mr [Patrick] Manning’s vision for the professionalisation of sport and his belief in rewarding athletes for what he considered to be their dedicated service to country.”

The following statement on the passing today of former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning was submitted by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago:

Reflecting on Mr Manning’s contribution to sport development, the Honourable Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs noted that the sport sector benefitted directly from Mr Manning’s vision for the professionalisation of sport.

And his belief in rewarding athletes for what he considered to be their dedicated service to country, a mirror of his own long and meritorious service to his constituency, his political party and ultimately, to Trinidad and Tobago.

It was under his leadership as Prime Minister that the annual subvention budget for National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport was established, and the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme (EAAP) began, filling the gap of essential training and preparation resources for internationally-ranked athletes.

These are two initiatives that have yielded tremendous benefits to hundreds of national athletes, coaches and sport administrators for well over a decade. It was under Patrick Manning’s administration that also saw the establishment of undergraduate and later, postgraduate degree programmes in Sport at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) as well as the award of athletic scholarships at the tertiary institution.

The Ministry and the Sports Company extend condolences to Mr Manning’s family, friends, colleagues and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

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