Young sportsmen laud Olympic camp

A CAMP held at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex for  budding athletes in the 12-16 age-group was regarded as “heartening” and “fantastic” by both participants and organisers. At the closing ceremony, parents and officials alike were treated to a heart-warming rendition of Trinidad’s National Anthem  by the 33 Youth Campers, a result of the singing workshop hosted by Aaron Lorengard and Leslie Hay,  members of the well-respected Love Movement choir. Representing the campers, 12-year-old hockey player Jade Piper, lavished praise on the Trinidad and Tobago  Olympic Committee. He also thanked the committee for the opportunity not for only learning about the Olympic Games and its history, but also about what the Olympics stands for fair play, goal setting, and etiquette. The Campers were also treated to workshops based on creative writing, vocal training, and first aid. Also speaking were five group leaders among the 33 participants selected by the campers.

Those selected were Breanne McIvor (triathlon) Ananda Fraser (gymnastics) Kaheer Khan (badminton) Sanian Lewis (tennis) and Marcus Joseph (chess), who each made  presentations based on their respective sports. Secretary of the  TTOC Elton Prescott told campers:  “The camp has been on the drawing board for four years so it is heartening and encouraging for the TTOC that it has been well recieved by the young athletes.” Director of the TTOC Olympic Academy (TTOA) Brian Lewis urged young athletes to stay involved with the TTOA. Lewis was, however, disappointed that only 13 of the 28 TTOC affiliates nominated athletes, despite the fact that the camp was overbooked. He also said, “The fact that the camp was not sport specific may have concerned some people but the holistic approach and fostering of the Olympic ideals is overdue in Trinidad and Tobago.” Later, Prescott presented certificates to the 33 participants and the five facilitators. During  the week, the participants attended various lectures by Deryck Murray, Larry Romany, Sports Psychologist Dr Magaret Ottley, Clinical Psychologist Alicia Hoyte, and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, and  were given an insight to  the rigours of  international sport by current local stars  Darrel Brown and Cleopatra Borel.