Eddie Hart lamented the fact that the youths of this nation have access to alcohol 24/7 and said he hopes his concern is addressed in the near future.
Hart was addressing invited guests, players and coaches at the 46th Annual Prize Giving and Award Ceremony of the Eddie Hart League for Football at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sport Complex, Tacarigua last Sunday.
As President of the league Hart said, “After producing 46 years of champions, I now ask myself, where we go from here? It is my intention to place greater focus on the personal and social development of the players.
“It is all good to show our charges the basics in football but after that, what? The lives of our youths are being snuffed out to crime, carnage on the road and alcohol.
“It hurts me to see the signs in the million and one restaurants and bars in this country which say ‘Open any day, any time’. It means our youths have access to alcohol 24 hours a day. We need to correct this.
“And what about anger management for our youths?” Hart enquired, “We need to address this also.
Hart went on, “I want to form a committee with two people from each club to achieve this new goal. Yes, we will need the necessary funds but I will ask the government and private sector to get involved.”
Before Hart’s address guests had to endure an hour wait before the proceedings got under way last Sunday.
Guests gathered at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sport Complex for 6.30 p.m. as requested but had to wait until 7.30 before anything got going. The organisers said they were awaiting the arrival of Sport Minister Anil Roberts. As it turned out the minister never showed.
In his address Hart said, “The long awaited day has come and it is the first time the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association has graced us with his presence.” Hart was referring to Raymond Tim Kee who was present at the function.
Hart said the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago have plans to upgrade the facilities for the league which holds the distinction of being the largest local football league in Trinidad and Tobago.
He also thanked the Ministry of Sport for the assistance provided for the Prize Giving and Award Ceremony.
Major General Edmund Dillon was also on hand to support Eddie Hart and his committee.
The Prize Giving ceremony was punctuated with entertainment by nine-year-old Dainel Gulston (pan) who received a standing ovation, vocalists Marilyn Williams and Hamish Baker, calypsonian Mighty Composer and Saxophonist Malcolm Boyce.