Rugby stands behind its star

He pointed out yesterday that the TTRFU was shocked to learn of the charges and stressed that it highlights some of the problems plaguing the community.

“If those in authority do not come down from their ivory towers and not only focus on driving fancy cars and deal with the problems at hand, these are the problems that will continue to plague our little society,” Lewis remarked. He said Hamilton has been one of few players who have been taken out of the Youth Training Centre (YTC) and has made an impact in the sport. The talented Hamilton has been a member of the national team for the past ten years and has also represented the West Indies as well.

Lewis noted also that the Caribs player has caught the eyes of international rugby scouts.

He said the allegations against the player is certain to affect the rehabilitation process of Hamilton who has been doing well since he came out of the Golden Grove facility at Arouca. Lewis said the Rugby Football Union has shown a lot of confidence in the 27-year old player who he feels is yet to produce his best in the sport.

“We have mentored him during the past ten years. We have even place him as a youth development officer in a programme implemented to enhance the development of the sport across Trinidad and Tobago,” Lewis said. He said Hamilton has shown that he wanted to improve his game and try and guide this country at the regional and international level.

Lewis pointed out that the drug trafficking incident is first run-in with the law for Hamilton since coming out of YTC. But there is hope that Hamilton will emerge free since he has decided to go voluntarily to the US to face the serious allegations. Lewis who was also a former rugby player says the immediate concern for the TTRFU is how the incident will affect Hamilton as an individual.

“We know that this trial will likely destroy Hamilton as a player because of the amount of time that will be used to complete the case and then deal with another form of rehabilitation. But it is the concern of the player as an individual that is bothering the TTRFU,” he said.

He is being described as an extremely lovely person and an equally talented rugby player in the sport. Lewis said Hamilton has worked hard on rehabilitating himself and it is unfortunate that such an incident happened during this stage in his life.