Sports officials welcome Senator Ato

Quadruple Olympic medallist Boldon, 32, was yesterday sworn in to replace Roy Augustus who abruptly resigned on Tuesday citing differences with the party chairman Basdeo Panday.

But yesterday Senator Boldon held out high hopes for the young people of Trinidad and Tobago and for the development of sports.

"The UNC has gained gold and they do not know," said former long-serving secretary of the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) Clyde Forde.

"I have known Ato since 1992 before he achieved popularity and was impressed with his fluency as a speaker, his honesty and his impartiality," said Forde yesterday.

"He speaks fearlessly and is not afraid to say what he thinks. Ato is sure to make a significant contribution as a senator and attract people of all creeds and races into the politics of Trinidad and Tobago," said Forde.

"We need people like Ato in the body politic. His personality is unmatched and his brilliance is unchallenged. If we have six senators like him our problems in society will be eradicated," said the respected athletics official who is an expert on the NAAA Constitution.

Also coming out strongly for the popular track star was Dudnath Ramkessoon, vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and Chairman of the National Selectors.

"He will be an excellent spokesman for the community and we are hopeful that he represents the views of not only athletics but all other disciplines when he addresses the Senate," said Ramkessoon yesterday.

"It is good to see Ato, a former sportsman elevated to that position in Parliament as we will have matters related to sports addressed in the highest forum in the land," said the former West Indies Youth cricket captain.

"His contribution will be sure to catch the ears of the people who make the decisions in Trinidad and Tobago and this augers well for the upliftment and improvement of sports," said Ramkessoon.

"It is indeed a step in the right direction and a positive move in identifying the role sports can play in moulding a better society and taking the youth people away from drugs and crime," said the Cricket Board vice-president.

A dissenting view however came from Hampton Athletics Club official Rawle Raphael, himself a former Member of Parliament for the National Alliance for Reconstruction who has acted as a Government Minister.

"It is unfortunate that Ato has made a decision to join one of the two political parties associated with corruption. However I wish him well in his endeavours but was hoping that he would have put in his lot with the NAR," said Raphael, an ex-secretary of the NAAA.

"I think that he can advance the sports agenda in the Senate since he has come up through the ranks and knows the trials and tribulations of athletes and will well appreciate what the sportsmen and women have to go through to reach international class," said Raphael.

"He is a good communicator and will work for the development of sports and must be complimented,’ said Raphael.