Daniel wants established athlete reward policy

Daniel believes that athletes sometimes feel like beggars when they successfully return from representing TT and this can be avoided if a reward system is implemented. Daniel, a former 200m and 400m runner, said, “we need to find a proper policy or put a proper policy in place as to how we are going to reward our athletes. For too long we have been doing things for the country and when you achieve something they still make you look like a beggar.” Daniel explained that the athletes always have to wonder what they will get after achieving success at world meets. The former runner said the country waited a long time to properly reward Hasely Crawford for his achievement at the 1976 Olympic Games adding that years later he obtained a house and other rewards.

Daniel further explained, “Government needs to put something in place to say that if you win this you could get that or if you do this you could get that; so that athletes would know that when you go out there and train and you achieve something you don’t have to come back and beg, you know that this is a policy and this is something that you could get depending on your performance.” Daniel said the TT Paralympians deserve a lot of credit after winning three medals (one gold, one silver, one bronze) at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio recently. Daniel believes the TT Paralympians deserve praise and the TT public should not overlook their performances because it is the Paralympic Games.

“First and foremost I want to congratulate the Paralympic athletes.

These are people that have a slight disability and if they could go out there and achieve something as positive as this, I am putting it on the same wavelength (as Olympics).

I am not going to separate it at all, Olympics is Olympics and they are doing something for the country. It’s a world record he broke yuh know. Trinbagonians do not appreciate their people enough. I think sometimes you have to go outside for people to appreciate you.”