Camacho calls for urgent change

“Actions speak louder than words.” This affirmation underlined Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) President Douglas Camacho address at the TTOC’S Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Camacho used the opportunity to review the events of the year 2003 highlighted by swimmer George Bovell III’s four medal haul at the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo; and Candice Scott who became the first Trinidad and Tobago woman to win a medal at the same competition. The insurance company executive on Monday stressed the need for administrators to “make a meaningful difference in the sustainable development of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” The TTOC president painted a picture of sport serving as a cornerstone of the society, in the  move towards solving the nation’s problems. Camacho urged those present to be careful not to understate the role of sport in building a civil and equitable society.

Last year saw the TTOC co-hosting the Regional Women in Sport Conference and a sports  marketing course staged in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee. They were also instrumental in the formation of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympians Association which will be chaired by Montreal Games gold medallist Hasely Crawford. Trinidad and Tobago will also serve as the Caribbean Association of National Olympic (CANOC) Committee’s headquarters as determined during the CANOC’s formation at the 2003 Pan American Games. One can safely say that 2003 was a productive year for the TTOC and all indications are it will continue into 2004, an Olympic year, as they shift focus to the more fundamental “aspects of Olympism.” In summation Camacho stated that the TTOC is “committed to its mission in accordance with the philosophy of Olympism and the Olympic Charter” and revealed that he committee will be doing everything in their power to bring Trinidad and Tobago out of the dark with a firm belief in sports’ capabilities to achieve this end. “There is a definition of insanity that comes to mind,” Camacho ended. “Insanity is repeating the same thoughts and behaviours and expecting results. We must start the process of change.”

He then congratulated all outstanding performers before awards were distributed. George Bovell III was named “TTOC Sportsman of the Year” for his Pan Am Games performance while Candice Scott, who on merit of her IAAF World Outdoor Championship performance in the hammer throw, is in the top ten world wide, was named “TTOC Sportswoman of the Year.” National swimming coach Anil Roberts, who led Trinidad and Tobago into the 2003 World Championship and Pan Am Games, coaches Piranha Aquatics and Bovell III and was named “TTOC Sport Personality 2003.” Crystal Skeete a 200 and 400m runner and sixth form student of Bishop’s High School Tobago received the “TTOC Sport and Education Award” while Joyce Thomas was nominated by the TTOC or the “IOC Women and Sport Trophy” for her 30-year contribution to sport which has seen many a young talent move on to represent Trinidad and Tobago on the international level. Dr Terry Ali, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Medicine Association, was recognised for his contribution to the TTOC in restoring athletes to good health after injury, he was awarded the Alexander B Chapman award which represents outstanding contribution to sport and Olympism.