UTT sports scholars get new home

Athletes from the institution’s multifaceted sporting programmes such as track and field, table tennis, football, cricket, volleyball and netball among others were also present to have a first-hand look at their new base in south, having been given a mandate to vacate their previous premises at Olera Heights in San Fernando three months ago.

These youngsters will now set up their training base and housing quarters at Cypress Boulevard alongside their experienced contingent of coaches and sporting administrators as they begin a new journey towards achieving athletic scholarships. UTT , known for producing some of Trinidad and Tobago’s rising sport stars, was instructed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in May that were no longer able to use their Olera Heights location as a housing quarters. They were given a deadline of month’s end to vacate the premises but due to the intervention of tertiary administration, they were allowed to stay until the completion of the semester in August.

UTT swiftly began working on an alternate location for their south athletes and will now use Union Hall as their new home for sport development. Speaking at the unveiling yesterday were former student and West Indies/TT cricketer Daren Ganga; Professor Clement Imbert; facilities manager Rennie Coolan; Benn Ramnarine; sport tutor Andre Collins and former Strike Squad captain and now coach, Clayton Morris.

While they all agreed that teething problems will arise with the new facility, over the next four weeks, all students requirements should be met.

“At UTT Academy of Sport we believe that success is where preparation meets opportunity. And to prepare well, we believe in giving you the athletes the best environment to make you successful,” said Collins. “When we were building this programme the architects went out and sought the very best (coaches) in the country. They know (you must) live, study and understand sport.” However, Collins was quick to note that the academic side of these programmes was equally important.

He stressed the importance of a sound education, since sport combined with academics is the ultimate combination to success.

Ganga also credited the coaches who work tirelessly to ensure that their prospects give their best on every occasion. The experience former cricketer reminisced on his heyday and urged those present to continue pressing towards achieving their sporting goals.

Facility manager, Coolman, and Safety head Ramnarine, also explained to the students the importance of keeping the new apartments clean and up to standard.

Ramnarine also urged them to make full use of the facility but to be cautious in their daily activity due to the increase splurge in crime locally.

Dormitory supervisor, Beverly Fook, and Coolman also made clear that millions of dollars have already been spent to ensure their safety and comfort on the compound, to which they must respect and treat as their own.