Mexico is known for its many gifts to the world such as The Estadio Azteca, mariachi bands, tequila, and most recently the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 edition of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games hosted in Veracruz, a forty minute flight south east of the capital Mexico City.
The night was nothing short of a traditional fiesta with a carnival like atmosphere that welcomed all the participating teams. However, although Trinidad and Tobago lead by Flag Barer, Table Tennis veteran Dexter St. Louis, was not able to be represented by its full 208 contingency, the two dozen representatives (mainly made up of the Men’s Hockey Team) were always seen in the heart of the celebrations.
The Ceremony began with the traditional parade of the representing teams (in alphabetical order) in which T&T was 29th, followed by Venezuela and finally, as it is tradition for the host country to be featured at the end, Mexico.
At the conclusion of the parade, the Governor of the State of Veracruz, Javier Duarte de Ocha welcomed all participating teams as they settled in their seats. Proud rhythmic chants of “Veracruz” echoed in derby-day style thought out the stadium as the City’s locals in attendance displayed their passion for their homeland.
Those in attendance were then treated to some traditional Mexican Jarocho performers as well as some other modern styles. However, the Traditional Mexican Heritage Pole Dance certainly stole the show, with death defying stunt men and women dangling more than 50 feet in the air while the pyrotechnic displays further awed the crowds; it certainly was not a sight for the faint hearted, but yet captivating for all.
Closing off the night was the Puerto Rican Pop Star Ricky Martin who performed his famous songs including “Living La Vida Loca” and “La Copa de La Vida”. The six time Grammy Award winner certainly showed he still had what it takes as athletes danced and mingled amongst each other crossing all borders to share “selfies” and exchange pleasantries to his rhythms.
Chef de Mission of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation Annette Knott has acknowledged the support provided by the Vera Cruz 2014 volunteers .
The 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games got underway with a spectacular Opening Ceremony in the Mexican city of Veracruz tonight, with Latin American singer Ricky Martin among the stars of the show.
Caribbean music and fireworks also featured heavily in the show, as well as speeches from Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte de Ochoa, who spoke on behalf of Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto, and Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation President Hector Cardona.
Men’s and Women’s National Senior Hockey Teams were the first teams to arrive at the Mexican host city on Tuesday night and have already had their first training session on Wednesday afternoon. Men’s Captain Darren Cowie- “Everyone seems to be keen and upbeat despite the long travel (between Trinidad and Veracuez). We’re excited to get on the pitch and get a feel... get the ball rolling. During the first session, the ball pace and intensity was really high. The communication is something we’ve been trying to work on and (one) can actually hear even the younger players being more vociferous... The camaraderie, the intensity and the momentum in the first session was really high”.
Other teams to have already arrived and settle in include Women’s indoor Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Canoe/Kayak and Cycling. The reminding teams will be arriving ahead of their scheduled competition dates.
List of T&T teams:
If the Olympic movement does not believe deeply in what it is doing and what it stands for, then its slide into irrelevance is only a matter of time.
Dwight Yorke hopes the newly-launched British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge will provide a major boost for the country which has struggled to build upon its first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup in 2006.
"I think it's the mentality sometimes of our country," Yorke, Tobago's global brand ambassador, told insidethegames here. 
As well as British Airways, the Football Legends Challenge is also supported by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.