According to Lewis, the draft estimate showed sport receiving around TTD$400 million ($63 million/£38.8 million/€48.8 million) for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, a 30 per cent decrease from the TTD$600 million ($94.5 million/£58.1 million/€73.1 million) the Ministry of Sport was allocated for the 2013-2014 period.

He claimed that, while he has to wait for the specifics when the budget, which was delivered on Monday (September 8) if fully debated, the TTD$200 million (£35.1 million/£19.4 million/€24.4 million) shortfall is of concern.

"I am very concerned when I look at the draft estimates and I will be playing close attention to the debates and hoping that the Minister elaborates on the breakdown of the figures for sport," he said.

Lewis claimed he was also disappointed with the fact that there was "no clear mention made of an allocation for the establishment and running of a national anti doping organisation," one of the many wishes he had outlined prior to the budget being announced.

"I also had hoped to see some policy initiatives, incentives for sport entrepreneurs," he added.

On a brighter note for sport in Trinidad and Tobago, Finance Minister Larry Howai did announce the establishment of a new National Games, due to start in 2015.

These Games will involve five sports - athletics, basketball, cricket, football and netball - although Lewis would like to see this programme expanded to include more of the less popular sports to broaden the participation.

Brian Lewis claims that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association are the envy of every other Federation in the country following a cash windfall in the Government budget
©Getty Images

He was also pleased about the TTD$36.2 million ($5.7 million/£3.5 million/€4.4 million) pledge to football, "which makes the TTFA [Trinidad and Tobago Football Association] the envy of all other NSOs [National Sporting Organisations]."

Lewis also seem optimistic over the continuance of the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme but claimed he would also like to see an expansion of the programme to include those athletes who fall outside this group and are developing top class athletes.

"I absolutely believe the issue of funding for team sports must be addressed because when they are going off to the top Games like Pan Am Games and CAC [Central American and Caribbean Games], they need to be getting access to the necessary preparation, match play and warm-up play," said Lewis.

"So those are the aspects that need addressing.

"The idea that sport has a reduced allocation is not one that gives me comfort.

"I am bit concerned, especially as we head into Pan Am Games, World Championships and ultimately onto [the Olympics at] Rio 2016."

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