Future track and field stars will be on show at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on July 18 and 19.
Athletes from 20 countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, will do battle for honours at the Sagicor CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Age Group Championships. And at yesterday’s media launch, at the Radisson Hotel Trinidad, National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president and CAC Athletic Confederation (CACAC) vice president, Ephraim Serrette noted that St Kitts and Nevis sprint star Kim Collins and Bahamian Golden Girl Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie are products of the regional meet.
“In our own scenario in T&T, we have seen the rise of Andwuelle Wright coming out of this programme, winning Carifta Gold, CAC (Junior Championship) gold. And recently, Tyriq Horsford who broke the record in the (Boys Under-18) javelin in Carifta Games this year.
“It is an event, Serrette continued, “that is designed for us to look at the athletes and look at their strengths. The athletes, in the case of the 11-12 age group, do five events plus a relay. The athletes in the other age-group, 13-14, do seven events plus the relay. So it gives you an opportunity to look at athletes in totality, based on sprinting, throwing, jumping. It’s the basics of our sport, run, jump, throw.”
Serrette expressed his gratitude to the sponsors for supporting the meet.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors, especially Sagicor who has been with us for the past ten years giving support to the NAAA for our Championships, and has come on board for these Games, the TDC (Tourism Development Company), as well as Blue Waters, the Sport and Culture Fund, and also the Ministry of Sport, not financial but the facilities that we use, and the Sports Company (sporTT) with some of the officers who work with us in the technical areas.
“It’s always our pleasure in T&T,” the CACAC vice -president continued,” to host events, It’s an easy access for most of the countries: no visa issues and we are always good hosts.”
NAAA secretary and Games Committee chairman, Allan Baboolal explained that T&T was not the original host nation for the 2015 CAC Age Group Championships.
“Because of financial constraints in other countries, the event was tossed around. In January of this year, Bermuda indicated they weren’t able to host the event.
“There are 20 participating countries,” Baboolal continued, “including Honduras from Central America. Twenty for an Age Group Championships is extremely good. Four Area Technical Officials (ATOs) have been appointed to oversee the Championships, including one from Trinidad and Tobago, Durly Lucas.”
Admission to the Crawford Stadium is free on both days of the CAC Age Group Championships.
TEAM T&T Boys’ 13-14 heptathlon: Avindale Smith, Joel Andrews
Girls’ 13-14 heptathlon: Safiya John, Antonia Sealy
Boys’ 11-12 pentathlon: Daniel Qui, Jordan Pope
Girls’ 11-12 pentathlon: Malika Coutain, Xea Bruce