At a ceremony led by The Honourable Phillip Watts, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, recipients said the support means more than funding. It means opportunity, progress, and a better chance to grow.
What happened in Tacarigua was about far more than a formal ceremony.
At the National Racquet Sports Centre, The Honourable Phillip Watts, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, oversaw the distribution of TT$3 million in grants to 70 athletes, sport-serving bodies, and National Governing Bodies, a significant injection of support for those working to build sport in Trinidad and Tobago.
For the athletes who spoke with Trincity Times, the moment carried real emotional weight.
It was not just about money. It was about relief. Recognition. And the feeling that their sacrifice and struggle are finally being seen.
National boxer Tiana Guy summed it up powerfully: “Sport is an ecosystem.”
Her words captured the reality behind every athlete’s journey. Success in sport is never just about talent. It depends on coaches, recovery, nutrition, travel, training, equipment, and access to the right level of competition. All of it costs money.
Guy, who has been boxing since 2017 and has represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Pan Am Games, said support like this can make a meaningful difference, especially in a sport where overseas exposure and stronger sparring opportunities are often necessary for growth.
Other athletes shared that same reality.
National powerlifter Zahra Padia spoke about the heavy cost of travel, nutrition and specialised equipment.
National powerlifter Reshon Superville said support like this can help athletes compete more, train better and keep moving toward higher goals.
National basketball player Chike Augustine said grants like these matter not only for top athletes, but for the wider sporting community, where transport, medical support, gym fees and travel expenses can often make or break progress.
Beach volleyballer Joshua Persaud described the support as life-changing, saying athletes often have to balance sport with work, school and financial pressure.
Together, their voices pointed to one truth: funding like this is not a luxury. It is part of what makes progress possible.
And this is why the grants matter beyond the walls of the venue.
When athletes and sporting bodies receive support, the benefits ripple outward. Athletes get a fairer chance to prepare and compete. Sporting organisations are better able to function and develop talent. Young people looking on can see that discipline, commitment and ambition still have value.
What took place in Tacarigua was more than a handover.
It was an investment in people who carry the nation’s hopes into rings, courts, gyms, beaches and arenas. It was support for the wider system that helps sport survive and grow. And if that support is used well, its impact will be felt long after the ceremony ends.
Trincity Times
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