Like the rest of the sporting fraternity, the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) is saddened and disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Trinidad and Tobago Grand Games which was carded for Saturday 21st May 2016.

In a statement today (19 May), the NAAATT disclosed it "was involved in neither the planning nor the administration of the Games. However, the event was seen as a further opportunity for our local athletes to engage in healthy competition, before their home crowd and leading up to the Olympics." 

"We have not been officially informed of the cancellation of the event nor of the reasons leadings to its cancellation. However, based on what is currently in the public domain, it would appear that, at a minimum, a proper explanation is required from the Meet Organizers," the release said.

"As much as one may wish to sympathize with them for the challenges they encountered and the unfortunate turn of events, there is no doubt that the last minute cancellation has adversely affected the athletes who were expecting to participate and the fans that were looking forward to the event.

US sprinter Ryan Bailey, Jamaicans Warren Weir, 2012 Olympic 200 metres bronze medallist, T & T’s Olympic champion in the men’s javelin  Kershorn Walcott and Jehue Gordon, the 2013 400m hurdles world champion alongside Christine Ohuruogu of England, a former Olympic, world and Commonwealth 400 metres champion, were scheduled to compete at the meet.

The release concluded: "It must also be recognized that significant damage has been done to the sport of athletics and to our country’s brand given the title of the event, the extensive promotions done and the poor handling of the cancellation."

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