A partnership has been signed between the NLCB and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee ©NLCB/TTOC

A landmark "Going for Gold" project has been launched by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) in conjunction with the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) in order to raise funds for potential Olympians.

Under the agreement, money earned from the sale of a new game of instant scratchcards, open to public sales from today, will be passed into an Athletes' Fund.

A total of 500,000 scratch cards have already been printed, with additional batches to be generated depending on sales.

The fund will receive over TTD $250,000 (£25,000/$39,000/€36,000) for every 500,000 cards sold, it is hoped.

It is projected that the first batch will be sold within a month.

As well as the financial incentives, it is envisaged that this game will be instrumental in "raising public awareness and stimulating further national support of the athletes’ cause".

“It is our hope that the interactive element of Going for Gold will stimulate renewed interest and care for Trinidad and Tobago’s athletes,  said NLCB director Camille Forde,

“The NLCB is passionate about supporting the achievement of our talented young people, and Going for Gold can play a significant role in helping our game-buyers feel invested in our Olympic dream.”

"The NLCB looks forward to its continued partnership with the TTOC, and is confident that funds raised from the Going for Gold initiative will make a notable difference in the lives of Trinidad and Tobago's budding Olympic champions."

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It is hoped the project will help allow more Trinidad and Tobago athletes to follow the success set by London 2012 javelin champion, Keshawn Walcott ©Getty Images

A longtime supporter of sports development in the Caribbean nation, "Going for Gold" marks an extension of the NLCB's #10Golds24 scheme which aims to inspire sporting growth up to Rio 2016 and beyond.

Launched in December 2014, the programme aspires to make the dream of the country achieving 10 Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 a reality.

Through this, athlete welfare and preparation fund provides financial assistance to promising sports men and women, while developmental tools "critical to fostering a Champion mindset" are also being rolled out.

Trinidad and Tobago won four Olympic medals at London 2012, including a gold for javelin thrower Keshom Walcott.

The short-term target is for Trinidad and Tobago to improve upon their London 2012 performance at Rio 2016. 



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