Tickets are now on sale for the opening ceremony and sports programme of the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG), which takes place at venues across Trinidad and Tobago, from August 4 to 11.
This was confirmed by TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) and TT Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA) chairperson Diane Henderson at a CYG press conference held at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva, on Wednesday.
“We are extremely excited to announce the launch of the ticketing programme for Trinbago 2023, with fans able to secure their place at events across both islands from today,” she said.
Tickets to beach volleyball, FAST5 netball, rugby sevens, swimming, track cycling and athletics, as well as the opening ceremony are all available, while road cycling (road race and time trial) and triathlon are open events and free to the public.
Additionally, those under the age of 18, can access events for free but must still book seats through the ticketing platform. Tickets can be accessed online by via https://tikkets.com.
The Games’ official mascot Cocoyea, a leatherback turtle, made its first public appearance at the press conference. It danced to the CYG anthem “Stay Ready” by Freetown Collective, to mark the launch of the ticketing programme.
This song will be present across the Games, and features inspiring lyrics which will speak to the competition’s young athletes. It will also be shared on streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. The event also revealed the major sponsors of the Trinbago 2023 Games.
Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe, who accompanied the TTOC in it’s bid for the CYG’s seventh edition, applauded the efforts of the team and thanked the local organising committee and the TTCGA for the groundwork that was done within the 11-month period.
She said the aim is to ensure that TT is a hub for sport, and the hosting of the Trinbago 2023 CYG will bolster the nation’s effort in laying the foundation of the sport tourism sector.
“I see so many corporate sponsors coming on board to support the CYG and as Minister I must thank each and every one of you who have made an investment in sport. We are the first Caribbean country to host a games of this size, the first to host within two islands and the first to have a theme song,” Cudjoe said.
Annie Hairsine, Commonwealth Games Federation, Youth Commonwealth lead for the Trinbago 2023 Games, said this is TT’s chance to “show the world what they’re made of.”
Significant work and investment by the Cudjoe’s ministry and the Tobago House of Assembly have gone into ensuring the facilities are ready for the thousands of participating athletes.
The National Gas Company of TT has partnered with the Commonwealth Trinbago 2023 games as its platinum sponsors alongside Bornan Sports.
Head, corporate social responsibility at NGC, Myles Lewis said, “We are more than pleased to offer our name to this event, not only because of our role as the flagship state entity, an entity committed to excellence and sustainability o