Kelly Ann Baptiste, Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago most celebrated female sprinter received a cheque for $80,000 from the Tobago House of Assembly.
The cheque was collected by Baptiste's mother Hazel Taylor at a ceremony hosted at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, Lowlands on December 4. Baptiste was unavailable and could not attend the ceremony.
The grant was the fulfillment of a promise made to Baptiste by the Chief Secretary Orville London when she paid a courtesy call on him at the Calder Hall Office in the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall on October 14.
The grant will assist Baptiste in her preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London, England, where she is expected to be a serious medal contender because of her outstanding performances in 2011.
The Zenith athlete had a very successful year in 2011, the highlight of which was her bronze medal performance in the 100m at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
The third place finish was even more significant because it saved face for the overall Trinidad and Tobago contingent as she was the only medallist.
Source: www.thetobagonews.com