TRINIDAD AND Tobago 2016 Rio Olympic fans can now show their support for their favourite athletes by purchasing t-shirts for only $100.
Yesterday, at the Road to Rio T-shirt launch at the TT Olympic Committee (TTO C) House on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, first vice president of the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) George Comissiong said t-shirts are currently available at various locations.
Tickets are available at the TTO C office and at the NAAA office at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, while supporters can also purchase t-shirts during the NAAA NGC/Sagicor National Open Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from Friday to Sunday.
T-shirts are available in red, black and white. Comissiong explained that alternate venues are being looked at for the public to purchase t-shirts.
Comissiong said that the NAAA is trying to earn more revenue leading up to the Olympics, which runs from August 5-21. “NAAA’s in keeping with both our strategic and development plans, continue to strive for self suffiency and this year as part of that exercise in an effort to generate some much needed funds the association is partnering with the Olympic committee with a t-shirt project. Through this project we hope to generate some needed revenue but we also hope to generate some additional interest in the upcoming Olympics as well as to provide support for the athletes that are expected to participate.” President of the TTO C Brian Lewis said his company has always encouraged National Sporting Organisations to develop marketing strategies to generate income. Lewis said, “One of the things that we (TTO C) have pushed is the whole concept of a sport industry. The whole concept of National Sport Organisations and National Governing Bodies upducting a more strategic marketing approach.” He added, “The era in my view of dependency on Government and sense of entitlement and believing the state is an ATM machine and that sport and sport organisations because of the tremendous value that we bring to the country we are owed as matter of right is over. I think it is important for sporting organisations and sports to show and display that they could bring value to the country whether that is socially, economically and otherwise.” The TTO C president asked TT for their support. “I urge you to support this venture.
Walk your talk, put your money where your mouth and pens may be.” President of the NAAA’s Ephraim Serrette encouraged supporters to purchase t-shirts at the Open Championships to give the TT athletes an opportunity to autograph them.
The track at the Hasely Crawford Stadium was under renovations recently but Serrette said the work is complete and ready to stage the Championships, which is the Olympic Games qualifier for the national athletes.
Serrette stated, “The javelin area is repaired and the area by the 100 metres is repaired and all systems are ready for a 6 o’clock (6 pm) start on Friday.
We have the likes of Keshorn Walcott, Cleopatra Borel, Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Kelly Ann Baptiste, Michelle- Lee Ahye.” Some of the feature races will be the 100m events held on Saturday and the men’s 400m event which runs off on Sunday. The men’s 400m event is expected to be competitive with Machel Cedenio, Deon Lendore, Lalonde Gordon, Renny Quow and Jarrin Solomon set to participate.