Brian Lewis, secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) has described Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul’s decision to recall all officers given leave to participate in sports as “a backward step for sport.”


Although he acknowledged the issue of crime was a serious one, Lewis argued that participation in sport is a constructive activity and “not just a game.”


He noted that the 2008 rugby season begins in June and he is concerned about how the commissioner’s ban would affect the league since the Police Sports Club is a member of the league since its founding in 1978.

“I would hope that there would be some reconsideration of this stance by then,” Lewis said.
“We are not at a level where sport is viewed as a critical component in TT society, people still believe that sport is frivolous,” he argued.

The TTRFU secretary compared the situation to that of a child preparing to write an exam but is banned by their parent from participating in sport.

Follow up:

Lewis questioned whether officers who are involved in cultural activities will also be suspended from engaging in such activities.


Lewis charged that the top cop does not understand the role sport plays in society. He said Larry Mendez who is a local rugby official and a member of the police service has been selected to officiate at the USA leg of the World Sevens Series in February but this new rule could jeopardise his career as an official.


However, the Public Rela-tions Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board Garth Baptiste believes that the country should support the Commissioner in his plan.
Baptiste stated that “the commissioner’s statement is in the national interest and this should take precedence over sport.”

He believes that since the commissioner says he is short on manpower then he has the right to recall his men.


The PRO explained that the Hockey Board would just have to make alterations to accommodate the Police team if they get to play at all.
He noted that this would not be the first time that the Police team was excluded from playing sports due to their commitment at work but he believes that it is needed.


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Source: Newsday