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The following is a press release from the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) PRO Peter Samuel—entitled “A Most Unfortunate Turn of Events”—on the cancellation of the Trinidad and Tobago Grand Games, which was carded for Saturday 21 May 2016 and included star athletes like Keshorn Walcott and Khalifa St Fort:
Anthony N Sabga has joined the country’s elite gold medal club for his deft finish in the artistic tendering event.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Johannes Eisele)
Like the rest of the sporting fraternity, the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) is saddened and disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Trinidad and Tobago Grand Games which was carded for Saturday 21st May 2016.
NAAATT was involved in neither the planning nor the administration of the Games. However, the event was seen as a further opportunity for our local athletes to engage in healthy competition, before their home crowd and leading up to the Olympics.
We have not been officially informed of the cancellation of the event nor of the reasons leadings to its cancellation. However, based on what is currently in the public domain, it would appear that, at a minimum, a proper explanation is required from the Meet Organisers.
As much as one may wish to sympathise with them for the challenges they encountered and the unfortunate turn of events, there is no doubt that the last minute cancellation has adversely affected the athletes who were expecting to participate and the fans that were looking forward to the event.
It must also be recognised that significant damage has been done to the sport of athletics and to our country’s brand given the title of the event, the extensive promotions done and the poor handling of the cancellation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Y36mFp8mw
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I don’t believe you celebrities got invited and didn’t attend.
So how was the after party?
Savitri Maharaj, Mel Lissa, Kenneth H. Ransome Jr., Lasana Liburd I know one of you went.
hahaha
not me!
hahaha. not I
Yeah ok Malcolm..I was a lil busy
Dexter Voisin was at the launch right?
Wait did Regina John say that the games are cancelled but the after party is still on?!?! Lmao, well that alone tells you where this Company’s priorities are.
These ppl was only after money. Olympic season so let’s see how we can cash in on that. The Athletic body should not allow any organization to plan any games without their input because they represent the athletes, cause in the end is the athletes who suffer. This is so shameful.
Another T&T sporting body involved in controversy. It is becoming obvious that what we lack from top to bottom in T&T is administrative skills. Only ego and “kickback” matters.
Who are the organizers? How could it be called T&T games when the National
So they had time to plan de party?? Smh…
How much money did the Organizers collect before closing shop? just asking.
Private parties. TT grand games team
Who was the promoter?
Regina John.
Ok thanks much .I don’t know her but as every suspicious Trini I read a bit more into this ,was it all about the Tommy Lee concert ? hmm……
Why is a private organization allowed to put on a meet of this magnitude without the auspices of the NAAA?
It was under auspices of the NAAA. Maybe the NAAA granted permission without enough checks.
This to me is highly irregular .. 1 hand don’t clap .. Slap maybe ?
Hahaha
Lol… Gilbert, I’m stealing that slap line for later use 🙂
Just copy right it appropriately . Lol
But on a real tho.. the tt games organisers is a private entity .. They are allowed to cancel any venture. This being the case NAAA should have made it their duty to work with them to ensure success…
You right.. especially given the timing..it’s an Olympic year!
Exactly .. too close to Olympics for the parties to finger point.. I am sure where the promoters were falling NAAA could have taken the baton and take it over the finish line..
I was not impressed with the promoter’s explanation. Poor ..
Absurd even
Did anyone hear Ato J. Boldon this morning on TV6
I saw a clip from him a couple days ago..he was livid!
He was supposed to be back on this morning
That I did not know . But in my mind however, given how close we are to Olympics some more “hand holding” should have been done to ensure the success of it..
They got permission from the NAAA eh.
Ato was livid yesterday. I posted his video here
Yeah. No doubt
Surely this event had to be sanctioned by the NAAAs…..?
It was.
Malcolm Jack, it was private sponsorship money involved. It was the organiser Regina John’s first meet, as far as I was told.
Ok.
ohhhgadddoy
And rightly so.. but i also will not over look the lack of involvement of the NAAA .. the parties had to work hand in hand
Ato was livid yesterday
I find it passing strange that the organisers of this event tried to organise this without the involvement or backing of NAAA