Watts hands out $10.7 million grant funds to sports

Four categories of people namely the elite athletes, individuals, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Sport Support Bodies were the recipients of TT$10.7 million dollars in funding.

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, provided the financial assistance via grant funding and grants to several elite athletes, National Governing Bodies, organisations and many individuals at a Grant Distribution Ceremony at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

Minister Watts said that amount represented the single largest grant disbursement by the minister and adds to an estimated $19 million-plus that was distributed by the ministry for the fiscal year 2025/2026.

Olympic gold and bronze medallist, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott was among the athletes; however, he made a late appearance that eventually proved to be impactful enough, as most of the other elite athletes, such as cyclists Nicholas Paul, Makaira Wallace, Njisane Phillip, Alexi Costa-Ramirez, Teniel Campbell, Jereem “The Dream” Richards, swimmer Dylan Carter and heptathlete Tyra Gittens-Spotsville, were not present to receive since they are all on overseas assignments representing the country or out of the country.

Meanwhile, “The Dream” Richards was the only athlete that benefitted from the National Reward and Incentive Programme, following his bronze medal run at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland on September 13, when he produced a scorching 45.39 seconds in the final of the 400 metres event.

Boxer Tianna Guy, who returned from a training stint in Puerto Rico recently, was among the few elite athletes in attendance. She was joined by Paralympic athlete Akeem Stewart and cyclist Akil Campbell.

Watts, flanked by his Permanent Secretary Penelope Bradshaw-Niles and other Ministry and Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago staff, said today’s ceremony is to assure the recipients of Government’s confidence in our athletes, coaches, sporting organisations and support systems.

He said these are the people who proudly carried the hopes and pride of Trinidad and Tobago onto regional and international stages.

Watts said that the recipients have earned support through discipline, sacrifice and steadfast commitment to their sporting goals.

“You have persevered through demanding training schedules, setbacks, pressure and personal sacrifice, while continuing to represent your communities and country with pride. Every cheque presented today is both practical assistance and a vote of confidence in your potential,” Watts explained.

He said, “It can assist with training, travel, equipment, nutrition, coaching, programme development and other essential requirements that enable athletes and organisations to perform at their best. I encourage every recipient to use this support wisely: to strengthen your preparation, develop your programmes, access essential resources and pursue even greater achievement.”

Watts made a call to athletes seeking to qulaify for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 to make early preparation request for funding.

“I have already begun discussions on enhanced assistance for those preparing for the Olympic Games to ensure they have the resources and support needed to train, qualify and compete with confidence. To make this possible, I urge athletes and sporting bodies to submit applications early.

“Timely applications allow the Ministry to assess requests fairly, complete the necessary processes and address needs before competitions approach.

“Through early planning, effective coordination and responsible support, we can reduce avoidable barriers and ensure that athletes, from the grassroots to the elite level, have meaningful opportunities to develop, excel and make Trinidad and Tobago proud,” Watts said.

Meanwhile, Minister Watts was also asked assist with financial assistance for the country’s cycling team at the Track World Championships in Shanghai, China, which begins on October 14 and runs until 18.

After touching down in China yesterday, Guardian Media Sports learnt that the team of Phillip, Costa-Ramirez, Campbell (Teniel), Zion Pulido, Kwesi Brown, and Paul had to make payments for hotel and accommodation, as well as for meals, from their own pockets, as the T&T Cycling Federation application for funding submitted the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) was not approved to date.

Watts assured that the cycling federation’s request had been signed off on a while ago and was sent to the sports company for distribution to the TTCF. He intends to ensure that payments for expenses for the athletes in China are made as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the provisions of Section 79(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Minister Watts, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, was given responsibility for the National Energy Skills Centre, the Hospitality and Tourism Institute, Metal Industries Company Limited (MIC), and Government Vocational Centre and Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme Limited (YTEPP) by the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The new responsibilities took effect on October 1, 2026.