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The 2009 Caribbean Games…
Structure of events
By Edison Jefford
Organising Committees have become the backbone of success or failure of major sport events and as such, an Organising Committee for the Caribbean Games (OCOG) was institutionalised at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
As was revealed in part one of this series, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) was given the first option of hosting the Games since it was their Government that initially tabled the Games’ proposal.
With that being said, the host country is allowed to determine the sport disciplines that it would include in the programme based on knowledge of the local circumstances and the relative popularity of the sport (s) involved.
Trinidad and Tobago immediately decided on Boxing and Volleyball (Beach and Indoor), adding Athletics, Netball and Swimming later. The Games is expected to attract the best Caribbean athletes in those disciplines.
Trinidadian sprinters, Hasely Crawford and Ato Boldon were identified in March, this year, as Event Ambassadors of the 2009 Caribbean Games. The much–anticipated sport spectacle is to be held from July 13–19.
The Boxing competition will be staged during July 13–18 in 11 weight categories: 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg, 81kg, 91kg and 91kg with countries only being allowed to enter one person per category. The Woodbrook Youth Facility was identified as the official Boxing venue.
Beach Volleyball will be conducted at the Beach Volleyball Facility at Chaguanas while the indoor competition is expected to take place at the University of the West Indies’ Sports and Physical Education Centre.
The Beach contest is likely to draw 16 male and 16 female teams, during the period July 14–17 while the indoor version is to feature six male and six female teams between the periods of July 14–19.
The selection of teams for both volleyball competitions would be based on this month’s North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation rankings.
Participants for the Athletics competition, which runs from July 17–19, will have to meet established standards and a maximum of two athletes per country and one relay team per country would be allowed at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The Netball contest will involve the eight top teams selected based on the International Federation of Netball Associations rankings. The event is slated for July 15–19 at the Jean Pierre Complex.
There are problems associated with the provision of adequate facilities for the hosting of swimming that would satisfy the requirements of the International Swimming Federation [in English] in a timely manner.
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) on the advice of the OCOG included Tennis as the likely replacement for Swimming on the Games’ programme.
Tennis will be held at Shaw Park, Tobago and will feature a maximum of three male and three female players per country during July 13–19.
The OCOG has commissioned a Games logo and the mascot will be named following a regional competition. Trinidad and Tobago’s President, George Maxwell officially launched the Games in January.
Member countries of CANOC are to have similar openings. St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Denzil Douglas commissioned the island’s launch when they hosted the 37th Annual Junior Carifta Games in March.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has so far committed TT$35 million, which is approximately US$5.6 million, towards the successful staging of the Games. It has also pledged to underwrite the various costs of the Games.
(This is the second article in a three–part series on the Caribbean Games. The first part dealt with the Games’ concept while the third part will examine Guyana’s preparation and participation.)
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