Harper, Borrel get UTC scholarships

SPRINTER Jacey Harper and star shot-putter Cleopatra Borrel were awarded scholarships by the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) at their 2003 Sports Awards on Wednesday night at their Penthouse,  Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. Harper, who is the current national men’s champion in the 100m and 200m, and Borrel, who was voted the WITCO Sportswoman of the Year, will each receive $1,000 a month from the UTC for the duration of  one academic year. Both are currently studying in the United States, and executive director of UTC Clarry Benn said the funds will assist them in their pursuit of excellence in the field of sport and academics.

“It is our responsibility that we ensure that our elite athletes are well taken care of and given the opportunity to excel in their chosen field of sport.”The national Under-19 men’s cricket team as well as the senior women  cricketers and Under-23 squad were also honoured for their outstanding performances in regional cricket tournaments this year. The national Under-19 mens team won both the league and limited-overs titles in the TCL Group Regional Under-19 Cricket Challenge, while the senior women and Under-23 squad won regional titles as well. Sports Minister Roger Boynes in an address said sport in Trinidad and Tobago is a serious concern of his government, and his ministry is working very hard to develop all sports. “We are about the people and we realise that sport plays a big part in the development of the citizens. “I am telling you here tonight that we are going to develop sports in this country to the point where sport will be the major pastime in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Sports will replace crime in this country and we are going to ensure that our athletes are given the necessary incentives to develop and perform at the highest level.” Boynes also told the gathering that the government has settled the dispute between the Olympic committee and the NAAA, as far as allocating funds to elite national athletes, and very soon these athletes will receive funds to help in their development. Boynes praised UTC, describing  them as model citizens and calling on corporate Trinidad and Tobago to follow the UTC. Meanwhile, the UTC also gave out awards to top performers in the UTC  Under-19 interzone cricket series played earlier this year. National and West Indies U-19 captain Dinesh Ramdin was the top player for Central, Rishi Bachan for South East, Tishan Maraj for South, Devon Nelson for North East, Jonathan Augustus for North and Veron Lezama for Tobago.