Rudolph Jack,founder and president of Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club received the Alexander B Chapman Award from his Excellency, Professor George Maxwell Richards,President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) Annual Award function held at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port- of- Spain last night. A large gathering of local sports personalities,Government Ministers,Diplomats and dignitaries attended the gala event.
The attendees included,Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts , Minister of Education Dr Tim Goopeesingh , Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadar,Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Orville London , Independent Senator Elton Prescott, Secretary General of the St Vincent and Grenadines National Olympic Committee and Hasely Crawford 1976 Olympic 100 m gold medalist.Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs gave the feature address.The event was broadcast live on CNC 3 TV and radio i95.5 FM.
Speaking to the TTOC website an emotional Jack said that he was surprised by the announcement but humbly accepted it on behalf of Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club and the community known as the Train line in Marabella.
"The award is recognition for the message that sport can make a difference . The effort to keep the youth of the community away from the ills of crime and the hopelessness of a hungry belly has been at times a depressing and frustrating experience. I don't want on this special occasion to sound bitter and resentful. It is an honour to receive the award and be congratulated personally by the President of my country words cannot express how I feel.The recognition is one of the highpoints of my life.For two decades and a half we have tried to make a difference. The daily struggle for survival at times compromised our positive message. We survive on our creativity and self belief that what we are doing is right.But Jah knows it not easy. While others battle for medals and glory.Ours is a life and death one failure has consequences for a young man or girl, a family ,a community and society." said Jack
The Tobago born 56 year old Rastafarian came to Trinidad at age 4 years and lived at Battoo Boulevard,Marabella with his single mother and siblings.He attended Marabella Boys Anglican but left school at age 14 years after failing Common Entrance .
" My father died when I was one year old. My mother had it real real hard. We moved to the Train Line when I was 9 years. From the age of 16 years I hustled a living on the streets.I was no saint when you are young and running with the gang you allow resentment ,anger and hate to fill your mind and heart. My wake up call happened in 1988 when I avoided an attempted murder charge . I made a vow to almighty Jah that I would devote my energies to shepherding the youth of the Train Line away from a life of crime. "
For Jack sport remained a mainstay. As a young man he participated in Village Sports and started playing rugby at age 22 with All Blacks in Marabella.He Founded Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club in 1985. and is employed at WASA as a handy man.
"The work we [Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club] do is real.Giving up is easy. I may not drive a Mercedes Benz or live in a palace. Some people see my hairstyle ,rough manner and my address .They judge and condem on that basis.Others remain prisoners of my past. Listen,I have ten children-five boys and five girls- and value their safety and quality of life like any other parent. I hurt when I see,smell and hear every day the pain of poverty and badness. But let me say this. While it is easy for the haves to point at the youth man with a gun and anger in his heart. The real perpetrators in collar and tie with their brief cases and pen operate with impunity and respectability.They are more dangerous for they kill with the stroke of a pen or the utterance of a word.The ghetto youth are just pawns and small fry. But say what I will not surrender. Sport and play is common to all children it matters not where they are from or how rich or poor.I know sport can make a positive difference.It brings a smile and a joy to replace the tears and pain."
The TTOC Alexander B Chapman Award is for outstanding contribution to Sport and Olympism,particularly in the promotion of Olympic ideals.
It recognizes achievements or contributions in any Sport by a person or by individuals acting jointly or an organization,group or team ,which epitomizes all or any of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism as found in the Olympic Charter.
Team TTO
Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee