mar.05.2009

The Jean Pierre Complex, named after the outstanding netballer who led Trinidad and Tobago to a share of the 1978 World Championships, shows all the signs of having recently staged a major entertainment event.
 
Some garbage is still lying around and the surface on which outdoor sport is played is both rough and filthy.
 
However, Molly Rhone, president of the Federation of Netball Associations, leaves Trinidad with assurances from both Sport Minister Gary Hunt and the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) that the playing facility will be brought up to mark in time for the staging of the 2009 Caribbean Games.
 
Netball is one of five sports which will be contested at the inaugural Caribbean Games, to be staged in Trinidad and Tobago from July 12-19.
 
Competition in volleyball, athletics, boxing and tennis will also take place at venues throughout T&T.
 
As technical delegate for netball, Rhone was in Trinidad to inspect the netball facility on behalf of the international federation.
 
However, she found the outdoor courts at the Jean Pierre Complex to be in a total state of disrepair.
 
After voicing her displeasure, Rhone reported she was assured by the Sport Minister that required work will be done by June 1.
 
Improving the lighting and erecting a scoreboard are among work which Hunt assures will be completed.
 
"It is no secret that the playing facility is not the best," Rhone declared.
 
"I think the major work is the resurfacing of the courts, but should I say all aspects of the facilities need to be improved."
 
Rhone was speaking yesterday at a media conference at the Caribbean Games Secretariat, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
 
She pointed out that netball was the envy of many other sports that were not selected for the Caribbean Games.
 
The netball tournament will involve the top eight Caribbean teams.
 
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda will play in two groups, after which the two top teams contest a semi-final round.
 
"We are actually thrilled that netball was one of the chosen sports and we are here to ensure that we continue to be part of that," Rhone said.
 
She also remarked that at one point Trinidad and Tobago was the world number one ranked netball team and hoped for a good showing from the hosts.
 
Astrid Rochford, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Netball Association, replied: "We are Trinidad and Tobago...we are not preparing to participate, we are preparing to compete. I expect our best team will participate."
 
Rochford also lamented the poor state of the Complex.
 
She declared that it was sad to see the Jean Pierre Complex, which was built for netball, in such a condition.
 
She added that it was also unfortunate that netball had to vie for the use of the Complex along with every other sport...and entertainment as well.