TT return with largest CAREBACO medal haul ever

Team TT played their way into the history books by capturing an impressive 31 medal tally. This is the country’s most successful result in the tournament since TT’s participation in the early 70s.

In the opening segment of the tourney, the senior team grabbed third place spot in the team events by defeating Barbados 3-2 in their matches on the final day of the Team tournament.

The squad was led by top female player Solangel Guzman who walked away with a bronze medal with teammate Will Lee in the Mixed Doubles event as they defeated Suriname’s Gilmar Jones and Priscila Tjitrodipo in three (3) games 16-21, 21- 16, and 21-18.

Guzman then faced newcomer and number one Women’s Singles seeded player in this year’s tournament Wale’s Aimee Moran who plays in Europe’s top leagues in Denmark , Spain and France. Guzman, who has been the Women’s Singles champion in 2014 and 2015 was most likely touted to complete her hattrick.

However, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) 200th ranked Welsh player had other plans for the determined Guzman as she defeated her in two (2) games with a commendable 21-18, 21-19 score.

Other notable performances came from one of the country’s rising junior stars Reece Marcano who won a double crown in the Junior Individual event having copped gold medals in the Boy’s Singles and the Boy’s Doubles when he joined forces with his teammate Travis Sinanan.

Will Lee also assisted in the medal count by having won bronze medals in all three events as he partnered with countryman Alistair Espinoza for the Men’s Doubles and Guzman for the Mixed Doubles event.

Newly appointed President of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Badminton Association (TTBA) and former national number one singles player Rahul Rampersad, who was present at Carebaco, stated that he was extremely satisfied with the team’s results. Rampersad expressed that the team had struggled with acquiring training facilities in preparation for the tournament, but despite this has been capable of producing a commendable performance.

The president also indicated the TTBA’s inability to receive its subvention from the Ministry of Sport for the 2015-2016 financial year has been a difficult hurdle to overcome. However, Rampersad made note that his executive team has been truly instrumental in pooling their personal resources which have contributed to the team’s success.

Rampersad was also jubilant as he announced that TT has won the bid to host CAREBACO 2017, which would also feature a training camp at the end of the tournament. This, Rampersad pointed out, is an important move that would aid in the much needed developmental process for the sport locally.

The TTBA thanked Atlantic LNG, Vemco Limited (Gatorade), the TTBA Executive and Technical Staff and of course the athletes of Team Trinidad and Tobago for their effort and support in this year’s competition.